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A possible racist comment made against Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole is being investigated by Derbyshire Police.

A Twitter user, believed to be from Derbyshire, referred to Mr Cole as a "choc ice" on the social networking site over the weekend.

Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand then replied: "I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic hahahahahaha!!"

A Derbyshire Police spokeswoman said the force had received complaints "regarding alleged racist comments".

"These concerns will be fully investigated to establish whether any criminal offences have been committed," the spokeswoman added.

Derbyshire Police confirmed the original "choc ice" tweet was being investigated, not Mr Ferdinand's reply.

The allegation comes days after Chelsea captain John Terry was cleared of a racially aggravated public order offence at Westminster Magistrates Court.

Mr Terry was accused of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, Rio's brother, during a game in October 2011.

Mr Cole, 31, told the court that his captain was not racist.

The term "choc ice" is understood to mean "black on the outside, white on the inside".

In a statement, issued through his lawyers, Mr Cole said: "Ashley Cole wishes to make it clear that he and Rio Ferdinand are good friends and Ashley has no intention of making any sort of complaint.

"Ashley appreciates that tweeting is so quick it often results in off-hand and stray comments."

Mr Ferdinand later tweeted: "What I said yesterday is not a racist term. It's a type of slang used by many for someone who is being fake."

A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman said the force would not be investigating Mr Ferdinand's comments.