Rio Ferdinand has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association after comments made about Ashley Cole on Twitter.
The Manchester United defender responded after a user described Cole as a "choc ice" on the social networking site.
Cole defended John Terry in court during his trial for allegedly racially abusing Ferdinand's brother Anton, and the term "choc ice" suggested the Chelsea left-back was black on the outside but white on the inside.
Ferdinand responded to the tweeter with "I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic hahahahahahha!"
The 33-year-old then seemed to delete the tweet and attempted to diffuse suggestions he had reacted inappropriately. But like Terry, who was this week charged for using racist language, he will also have to answer to the FA.
"The FA has today charged Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand with improper conduct in relation to comments posted on Twitter.
"The allegation is that the player acted in a way which was improper and/or bought the game into disrepute by making comments which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race.
"Ferdinand has until 4pm on 2 August 2012 to respond to the charge."
Police also confirmed two weeks ago they are making inquiries into comments made by footballer Rio Ferdinand on Twitter after receiving a complaint of racism.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson told the Huffington Post UK: "Manchester police received a complaint of racism following a comment made on social media and enquiries are ongoing."
Ferdinand may regret his Saturday evening session on the micro-blogging site
Ferdinand and Cole have been close friends, emerging into the England first-team at the same time when Sven-Göran Eriksson was named coach of the national side in 2001.
The duo's friendship led to commercial ventures, when executively produced the 2009 British film Dead Man Running.