England fans have been accused of racially abusing Rio and Anton Ferdinand in the side’s recent match in San Marino.
Manchester United and England centre-back Rio Ferdinand has expressed his shock after alleged racist chants from England fans were aimed at him and his brother Anton.
The chanting was said to have occurred during the nation’s recent 0-8 World Cup qualifier victory in San Marino.
Ferdinand had caused a certain level of controversy heading into the match after saying he would not be available to play because of a very precise fitness plan he was undergoing at his club.
The 34-year-old took to Twitter to highlight his opinion on the allegations:
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
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) March 29, 2013
However, shortly after his first tweet Ferdinand followed it by saying:
Let’s not jump to conclusions + assume though as it might just have been banter. We’ll see after the investigation.
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) March 29, 2013
The defender commented on the issue after the anti-racism group Football Against Racism in Europe (Fare) had filed a complaint to FIFA about the English fans.
The chant that was said to have been sung by the England contingent suggested the Ferdinand brothers should be burned on a bonfire.
Fare says this has racist connotations because of the high profile incident when the FA found John Terry guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.
The comments were aimed at the brothers after Rio decided to travel to Qatar to work as a pundit on the San Marino v England match, despite having pulled out of the squad.
National manager Roy Hodgson was asked about the chanting after his side’s demolition of San Marino, but the England boss refused to get involved.
“I’m not deaf,” Hodgson said on BBC Sport when asked if he had heard the abuse.
“But I’ve absolutely no comment to make on it.”
The FA have also declined to comment until FIFA have completed their investigation into the incident.
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