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Rio Ferdinand hits out over chants during England match in San Marino Rio Ferdinand hits out over chants during England match in San Marino
(6 months later)
Rio Ferdinand has hit out at the fans who sang abusive songs about him and his brother Anton during England's win over San Marino last Friday.Rio Ferdinand has hit out at the fans who sang abusive songs about him and his brother Anton during England's win over San Marino last Friday.
A number of England supporters joined in the singing of a song suggesting the brothers should be burned on a bonfire – it has been suggested the song had racist overtones because Anton Ferdinand was the target of racist abuse from former England captain John Terry.A number of England supporters joined in the singing of a song suggesting the brothers should be burned on a bonfire – it has been suggested the song had racist overtones because Anton Ferdinand was the target of racist abuse from former England captain John Terry.
The anti-racism body Fare (Football Against Racism in Europe) on Friday reported England to Fifa over the chants and the Football Association is awaiting official notification regarding the complaint.The anti-racism body Fare (Football Against Racism in Europe) on Friday reported England to Fifa over the chants and the Football Association is awaiting official notification regarding the complaint.
"You expect+accept banter from fans on the terraces as its part of what makes the game great,but racism is not banter,& from ya own fans. WOW," Ferdinand tweeted."You expect+accept banter from fans on the terraces as its part of what makes the game great,but racism is not banter,& from ya own fans. WOW," Ferdinand tweeted.
"Always a small minority who ruin it for others. Let's not jump to conclusions + assume though as it might just have been banter. We'll see after the investigation.""Always a small minority who ruin it for others. Let's not jump to conclusions + assume though as it might just have been banter. We'll see after the investigation."
The Manchester United defender was vilified by fans after withdrawing from the England squad to play the game because it did not fit in with his "intricate" and "pre-planned" training programme, although he then travelled to Qatar to commentate on England's 8-0 victory.The Manchester United defender was vilified by fans after withdrawing from the England squad to play the game because it did not fit in with his "intricate" and "pre-planned" training programme, although he then travelled to Qatar to commentate on England's 8-0 victory.
Fare's executive director, Piara Powar, said: "Although we did not have observers at the match we have pulled together evidence sent to us including media comment and have passed that on to Fifa.Fare's executive director, Piara Powar, said: "Although we did not have observers at the match we have pulled together evidence sent to us including media comment and have passed that on to Fifa.
"I think that it's one of those things that is very subtle. We would say racism and other forms of discrimination is not always banana throwing and monkey chants. It can be very subtle and the people collating the reports believed it is strong enough to send on to Fifa."I think that it's one of those things that is very subtle. We would say racism and other forms of discrimination is not always banana throwing and monkey chants. It can be very subtle and the people collating the reports believed it is strong enough to send on to Fifa.
"From the reports we have seen I personally think there was an undercurrent of race there, and other people have thought that it has been imbued with racist overtones. Whether Fifa think that is strong enough to take action is another question entirely and we accept that it is certainly an unusual report.""From the reports we have seen I personally think there was an undercurrent of race there, and other people have thought that it has been imbued with racist overtones. Whether Fifa think that is strong enough to take action is another question entirely and we accept that it is certainly an unusual report."
Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, felt such extreme reactions as seen in San Marino were a sign of the times. "That is the modern society, I am afraid," he said. "We see a lot of that. Supporters react to many things. I don't think we can change that."Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, felt such extreme reactions as seen in San Marino were a sign of the times. "That is the modern society, I am afraid," he said. "We see a lot of that. Supporters react to many things. I don't think we can change that."
Ferguson went on to reveal on Friday that he encouraged Rio Ferdinand to have face-to-face discussions with the England manager, Roy Hodgson, over his international future.Ferguson went on to reveal on Friday that he encouraged Rio Ferdinand to have face-to-face discussions with the England manager, Roy Hodgson, over his international future.
Ferdinand was selected for England's recent World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro, only to withdraw.Ferdinand was selected for England's recent World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro, only to withdraw.
"He did the right thing to go down and see Roy," said Ferguson. "I encouraged him to go down and do it face to face.""He did the right thing to go down and see Roy," said Ferguson. "I encouraged him to go down and do it face to face."
Ferguson continued: "He needed to explain how we handle him now and how he prepares for games. I think Roy appreciated that."Ferguson continued: "He needed to explain how we handle him now and how he prepares for games. I think Roy appreciated that."
The United manager also said he had no issue over Ferdinand's trip to Qatar, which caused such consternation among some England fans.The United manager also said he had no issue over Ferdinand's trip to Qatar, which caused such consternation among some England fans.
"I was only catching up on a couple of things over the last couple of days and, to be honest, it doesn't bother me one bit," he said. "They had the weekend off and players are entitled to do what they want. They trained all last week and we gave them Friday, Saturday and Sunday off. He has his own choice with these things.""I was only catching up on a couple of things over the last couple of days and, to be honest, it doesn't bother me one bit," he said. "They had the weekend off and players are entitled to do what they want. They trained all last week and we gave them Friday, Saturday and Sunday off. He has his own choice with these things."
Hodgson has said there needs to be further discussions between the Football Association and United before Ferdinand could be considered again for his country.Hodgson has said there needs to be further discussions between the Football Association and United before Ferdinand could be considered again for his country.
But Ferguson is not sure that is necessary. "I don't think there is any need," he said. "Roy phoned me and I said he would need to speak to Rio for what his reaction is. The matter was put to rest when Rio went to see him."But Ferguson is not sure that is necessary. "I don't think there is any need," he said. "Roy phoned me and I said he would need to speak to Rio for what his reaction is. The matter was put to rest when Rio went to see him."
Ferdinand is bound to be involved with his club at some stage over the next three days, when United head to Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday and Chelsea for their FA Cup sixth-round replay on Monday.Ferdinand is bound to be involved with his club at some stage over the next three days, when United head to Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday and Chelsea for their FA Cup sixth-round replay on Monday.
There was good news for United on the injury front. "We have no injuries from the internationals," said Ferguson.There was good news for United on the injury front. "We have no injuries from the internationals," said Ferguson.
"There is a bit of tiredness but we will make sure we get plenty of energy back in their bodies. Nani, Phil Jones and Paul Scholes have also done a little bit of training, which is encouraging. Hopefully that will give us a good strong squad as we approach the next two games.""There is a bit of tiredness but we will make sure we get plenty of energy back in their bodies. Nani, Phil Jones and Paul Scholes have also done a little bit of training, which is encouraging. Hopefully that will give us a good strong squad as we approach the next two games."
Ferguson also said the best thing to happen over the international break was the return to form of Robin van Persie.Ferguson also said the best thing to happen over the international break was the return to form of Robin van Persie.
The Dutchman has not scored in seven games for his club but managed three in two games for his country. "It is the same with all strikers," he said. "When they get into a little dry spell they hope to get out of it as quickly as they can. Hopefully those goals for Holland will have helped him to do that.The Dutchman has not scored in seven games for his club but managed three in two games for his country. "It is the same with all strikers," he said. "When they get into a little dry spell they hope to get out of it as quickly as they can. Hopefully those goals for Holland will have helped him to do that.
"But his form has not changed. That is the important thing. But the goals will help. There is no question about that.""But his form has not changed. That is the important thing. But the goals will help. There is no question about that."
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