Twitter Knows No Bounds: Suspension From Work For Tweeting A Stranger

"Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand."

When British pop group Duran Duran sang about Rio, they did not likely have silky Queens Park Rangers (QPR) defender Rio Ferdinand, who was recently suspended for his Twitter conduct, in mind.

In his promising youth, the footballing Rio was the darling of the tabloid press. He was a lock for a first team place, starred in World Cup matches, and set English Premier League (EPL) transfer records when he was sold to Leeds then Manchester United.

The Ferdinand family has a rich footballing pedigree. Cousin Les was a prolific striker who had stints at various EPL clubs, including one during Newcastle United's most recent glory years. And Rio's younger brother Anton, who has also starred in the EPL, was the "alleged victim" in a case which ultimately went to a tribunal hearing. That case arose after Chelsea's John Terry (the defrocked England captain who in the past regularly partnered Rio in the Three Lions World