• Premier League

Ferguson: Rio will wear Kick It Out shirt

ESPN staff
October 19, 2012
Rio Ferdinand is expected to start for Manchester United against Stoke City this weekend © PA Photos
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Sir Alex Ferguson says his Manchester United players will respect the Kick Racism Out of Football campaign this weekend, despite reports that Rio Ferdinand would be part of a boycott.

Reading striker Jason Roberts has urged other players to not wear Kick It Out shirts, in protest against the organisation's reaction to John Terry's racial-abuse ban. Roberts believes Kick It Out has "not been strong enough".

The Football Association slapped Terry with a four-match ban and a fine for using a racial slur against QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, although stressed he was not a racist. Terry has opted not to appeal his suspension.

It has now emerged that Rio Ferdinand, Anton's brother, will not be joining Roberts and shunning Kick It Out. "All the players are wearing it. I've only heard Jason Roberts is different," Ferguson said.

Meanwhile, Ferguson has condemned Roberts' stance, and implored others not to join him. "I completely disagree with Jason Roberts, I think he's making the wrong point. Everyone should be united," he said.

"All the players, the country should be wearing the warm-up tops of Kick Out Racism. I don't know what point he's trying to make, whether he's trying to put himself on a different pedestal from everyone, but when you do something and everyone believes in it, you should do it together. You shouldn't have sheep wandering off."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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