Babel fined for Twitter outburst

Liverpool winger Ryan Babel has been fined 10,000 pounds and warned over his future conduct for his Twitter outburst earlier this month.

Babel, 24, was hit with the fine by the Football Association after he posted comments and images on his Twitter page concerning referee Howard Webb.

The comments came in the wake of Liverpool’s FA Cup third-round exit to Manchester United at Old Trafford, with a digitally altered photo showing Webb wearing a Manchester United kit.

Webb awarded a controversial penalty in the match in favour of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side and also sent off Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

Babel accepted a charge of improper conduct and was hit with the fine at a Regulatory Commission hearing on Monday.

“Social network sites, like Twitter, must be regarded as being in the public domain and all participants need to be aware, in the same way as if making a public statement in other forms of media, that any comments would be transmitted to a wider audience,” the Regulatory Commission Chairman Roger Burden said.

“It is their responsibility to ensure only appropriate comments are used.”

Meanwhile, Manchester United defender Rafael da Silva has also been charged with improper conduct.

The Brazilian defender was charged after his outburst at referee Mike Dean in Sunday’s goalless draw against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Da Silva was sent off for a second yellow card and vented his disgust at Dean after his decision.

“Manchester United defender Rafael da Silva has today been charged by the FA with improper conduct,” an FA statement read.

“The charge relates to the player’s conduct towards match official Mike Dean following his dismissal in Manchester United’s fixture at Tottenham.”

Da Silva has until 6pm GMT on Tuesday to respond to the charge.