LONDON: Anti-racism campaigners yesterday urged England’s Football Association to take action after some fans taunted Rio and Anton Ferdinand with abusive chants during last week’s World Cup qualifier in San Marino.
Rio Ferdinand was targeted after he withdrew from the England squad to play in the San Marino game because it did not fit in with his pre-planned training programme and then travelling to Qatar to commentate on England’s 8-0 victory.
Anti-racism group FARE reported England to FIFA and the world governing body confirmed it was looking at the allegations, which centred on a chant suggesting the brothers should be burned on a bonfire. The chairman of the Kick It Out anti-racism group, Herman Ouseley, told BBC radio: “Whether it’s racist or not, it’s certainly unacceptable. It’s vile and it shouldn’t be part of sport. Something needs to be done about it. These are the supporters of the England national team who are travelling abroad and singing songs like that. What messages does it send out?”
He added: “The Football Association should be taking a stance on this about the people it wants supporting the England team, the image it wants to send abroad.” REUTERS
