Ferdinand criticized for boycotting racism action
Source: Agencies |
October 22, 2012, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MANCHESTER United manager Alex Ferguson criticized Rio Ferdinand on Saturday for failing to wear a T-shirt promoting an anti-racism campaign, calling the decision "embarrassing for me" and hinting at disciplinary action for the defender.
Players across England donned the T-shirts during their warm-up routines for league matches as part of a two-week campaign by Kick It Out, an anti-discrimination body that has been raising awareness for issues such as racism since the 1990s.
Ferdinand, however, didn't wear the shirt before United's 4-2 win over Stoke, in protest at Kick It Out's perceived lack of action during recent high-profile racism cases. Ferguson had indicated on Friday that the center back would not boycott the campaign.
"At the press conference yesterday, I spoke to the press about it," Ferguson said. "It is embarrassing for me. He will be dealt with, no doubt about that."
Ferguson added in an interview with United's in-house television channel that Ferdinand's action "lets us down."
"We did that in support of the Professional Footballers Association and every player in the country should have adhered to that," Ferguson said.
Chelsea defender John Terry was recently banned for four matches for racially abusing Ferdinand's brother, Anton, during a league game.
Ferdinand wasn't the only player to refuse to wear the Kick It Out T-shirts on Saturday. Reading striker Jason Roberts went through with his threat to boycott the campaign, but received support from his manager.
Meanwhile, Roberto di Matteo has backed the decision of the Chelsea board to allow John Terry to retain the club captaincy despite being found guilty of using racially abusive language.
"The board made a decision and I respect the board's decision and I support that decision," he said. "Ultimately they are the board and they make the decisions in the best interests of the club. I have an input and we had conversations, but they decide."
Players across England donned the T-shirts during their warm-up routines for league matches as part of a two-week campaign by Kick It Out, an anti-discrimination body that has been raising awareness for issues such as racism since the 1990s.
Ferdinand, however, didn't wear the shirt before United's 4-2 win over Stoke, in protest at Kick It Out's perceived lack of action during recent high-profile racism cases. Ferguson had indicated on Friday that the center back would not boycott the campaign.
"At the press conference yesterday, I spoke to the press about it," Ferguson said. "It is embarrassing for me. He will be dealt with, no doubt about that."
Ferguson added in an interview with United's in-house television channel that Ferdinand's action "lets us down."
"We did that in support of the Professional Footballers Association and every player in the country should have adhered to that," Ferguson said.
Chelsea defender John Terry was recently banned for four matches for racially abusing Ferdinand's brother, Anton, during a league game.
Ferdinand wasn't the only player to refuse to wear the Kick It Out T-shirts on Saturday. Reading striker Jason Roberts went through with his threat to boycott the campaign, but received support from his manager.
Meanwhile, Roberto di Matteo has backed the decision of the Chelsea board to allow John Terry to retain the club captaincy despite being found guilty of using racially abusive language.
"The board made a decision and I respect the board's decision and I support that decision," he said. "Ultimately they are the board and they make the decisions in the best interests of the club. I have an input and we had conversations, but they decide."
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
