A City player was fined for making an inappropriate comment on Twitter, Peter Taylor has revealed.

While Liverpool striker Ryan Babel faces football’s first charge related to social networking posts, Bantams boss Taylor admitted the club had already implemented a crackdown.

Like many players around the country, several of the current Valley Parade squad have their own Twitter accounts – and Taylor has reminded them to think carefully about what messages they put on.

He said: “I won’t name anybody but we have actually disciplined a player for that. He was unprofessional on a message he sent out.

“It’s not right. At the end of the day, you are a professional footballer and have a responsibility to act in the right manner.

“I’m ancient at 58 years of age. My two daughters go on things like that and Facebook but I personally don’t understand it.

“I don’t think I would have done it as a youngster and I won’t do it now – I’m a bit old-fashioned for that.

“But if people decide to go down that route they should respect their profession. Making out you are doing all sorts of things that you shouldn’t be as a professional footballer is not very responsible.”

Babel has been charged by the Football Association with improper conduct after criticising Yorkshire referee Howard Webb’s performance in Liverpool’s FA Cup loss at Manchester United.

The Dutchman posted a mock-up picture of Webb in a United kit with the words: “And they call him one of the best referees. That’s a joke.”

Babel has since apologised but is expected to face a dressing down from the authorities.

Taylor would not be surprised if future player contracts included clauses on using social networks.

“I’m not so sure there is something in the current ones but maybe there should be,” he said.

“It’s probably something the FA and Football League should look into. They might already be doing that now.

“Players already realise it’s in their contract (to be punished) if they say anything out of order or reveal something secret to the football club.”

Meanwhile, City reserves play their first game since October this afternoon when they travel to Barnsley.