Former Socceroo Scott Chipperfield has been embroiled in social media stoush over a tweet he sent about an Ivory Coast player.

While watching the Ivory Coast’s come out victorious World Cup 2-1 against Japan on TV, Chipperfield tweeted of midfielder Serey Die: “Serey die looks like a typical African. Forget how to play. Need brains to play football.”

Can anyone confirm this as authentic? Alarming. @Socceroos pic.twitter.com/xUtV5JhA64

— Francis Leach (@SaintFrankly) June 15, 2014

The tweet was immediately deleted but it did not prevent Chipperfield from being on the receiving end of a torrent of criticism from some of his followers. He has a total of 6,847 followers, including some other professional players. Sports braodcaster Francis Leach fired off a number of tweets, including this one: 

Hey @chippers1975 -It’s not the colour of the skin,culture religion or sexuality that makes a person whole. How sad & empty you must be. — Francis Leach (@SaintFrankly) June 15, 2014

This tweet was ‘favorited’ 36 times and ‘retweeted’ 20 times.

Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite – a former a Socceroo – also rejected Chipperfield’s comment, tweeting: “Brains are amazing I wish everybody had one! Can’t teach anyone if they don’t wanna learn. Neaderthals still roam the earth.”

But Chipperfield, who is the midfielder for Swiss club FC Aesch, hit back, claiming he was a target of the tall poppy syndrome.

“Wasn’t racist tweet was describing styles of play. They just look to bring down others. Tall poppy syndrome,” he tweeted.

“Life is getting out of control. U can call me a racist but I don’t care. I am what I am.

“Some jealous people tonight. Get a life. Life goes on.”

A soccer fan, Jade Pallpret, voiced her anger:

Chipperfield claiming people are jealous. No ones jealous of racism you twat.

— Jade (@jade_pallpratt) June 15, 2014

In an attempt to show that he was not a racist, Chipperfield tweeted a picture of his mates, with whom he was watching the game:

Sitting in the lounge room with a Swiss & Italian but I am racist to suit peoples needs

However Leach persisted, sending a series of tweets of outstanding African footballers who had vastly more glittering careers than Chipperfield:

Hey @chippers1975 this bloke would have played you off the park pic.twitter.com/imJsXAmpAK — Francis Leach (@SaintFrankly) June 15, 2014

And as a player you wouldn’t be fit to tie the shoe laces of Roger Milla.. @chippers1975 pic.twitter.com/xC7PXEfVKC

— Francis Leach (@SaintFrankly) June 15, 2014

Yet it did not seem to affect Chipperfield, who suggested that he cared only about the Swiss lower league club.

“Life goes on. Politically correct or incorrect? All I care about is Aesch. Ausftieg. Rest can do what they want,” he tweeted.

Chipperfield, 38, was capped 68 times for the national side in a career that saw him play Champions League football at FC Basel and a pivotal role in Australia’s run to the last 16 at the 2006 World Cup.

He retired from the international game after Australia was eliminated from the 2010 tournament in South Africa.