Ferguson hints at Ferdinand action following t-shirt row
Alex Ferguson has hinted that Rio Ferdinand will be the subject of internal disciplinary action after failing to wear a ’Kick It Out’ T-shirt before Manchester United’s 4-2 win over Stoke at Old Trafford this afternoon.
Ferguson said yesterday his players would wear the shirts and condemned Jason Roberts, who also refused to wear a ’Kick It Out’ shirt prior to Reading’s defeat at Liverpool.
Speaking to United’s in-house TV channel MUTV, Ferguson said: “I am disappointed. I said yesterday that the players would be wearing it in support of the PFA and that every player should adhere to it.
“And he goes and lets us down. We will deal with it, don’t worry.”
Roberts and Ferdinand were protesting at what they perceive to be a lack of action by the 'Kick It Out' organisation in combating racism in football.
After high-profile incidents involving Reds striker Luis Suarez – banned for eight matches – and Chelsea’s John Terry – suspended for four games – in the last year, Roberts was particularly unhappy with the latter punishment.
“The four-match ban was, for me, not a heavy enough sanction for what happened,” Roberts said in the week.
“I’m totally committed to kicking racism out of football but when there’s a movement I feel represents the issue in the way that speaks for me and my colleagues, then I will happily support it.
“I think people feel let down by what used to be called ’Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football’.
“People don’t feel like they have been strong enough.”
While Ferguson condemned Ferdinand, Reading boss Brian McDermott stood firmly behind Roberts.
He told Sky Sports News: “Jason has had a very strong view of it and I respect Jason’s view.
“It was important to him what he did today. I 100 per cent back him.”
At Old Trafford and prior to United’s game with Stoke, which they won 4-2, all of Ferdinand’s outfield team-mates wore the black ’one game, one community’ T-shirts as agreed but the former West Ham man sported a bright red United tracksuit top.
Ferdinand eventually took his training top off to reveal he was wearing a United training shirt, with the DHL sponsors logo.
It represents an obvious snub to the anti-racism message, and directly contradicted Ferguson’s stance on the matter yesterday when the United boss was asked what he thought of Roberts’ protest.
“Everyone should be united, with all the players in the country wearing the Kick it Out warm-up tops,” Ferguson had said.
“I don’t know what point he (Roberts) is trying to make.
“I don’t know if he is trying to put himself on a different pedestal from everyone.
“But he really should be supporting all the rest of the players who are doing it.”
