It sure is. he does what he wants and so does Fergie, and Fergie picks the team
Rio Ferdinand
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If rio had worn the shirt today there would be no issue.
Or perhaps he thanked him with his performances on field?
With his performance on the field he's paying back the money he's earning..
I'm a bit confused about this. Fergie said all the players will wear the shirt but Rio didn't. Isn't this where the issue lies? We don't know all the ins and outs but I think if SAF punished Rio, it would be daft. You can clean up the issue by saying it was a genuine misunderstanding and move on. It's two-fold. Fergie could have stated all the players will wear the shirt but say "we respect Rio's wishes not to." Rio also could have worn the shirt in respect to what Fergie said and expressed his opinion on his own time. Either way, with both avenues, there wouldn't have been an issue and the fact this has occurred is just silly. Not sure why there's such a tendency to find fault when both parties could have done better. This kind of shit shouldn't be happening. Full stop.
If he's going to do deal with Rio, it should be done internally. It does pose the question of the possibility of lack of communication and it's a shame this will make the headlines more than the actual football. In addition, this is the type of shit the media feast upon instead of actually focusing on the more pressing issue. Are we doing enough to kick racism out of football?
On a grander scale, actually wearing the shirt doesn't mean so much in my eyes. These type of occasions pose as mere formalities. It's the same shit where FIFA devoted a segment for the captains to read statements in support of their "Fight racism" campaign. At the very very least, it brings awareness. After that, it becomes a distant memory as everyone focuses on the football. The only time it actually resurfaces is when you have incidents such as what transpired in Serbia this past week. Other than that, you don't really hear anything.
Finally, if they're actually going to make serious efforts, they're going to need to find more effective measures of educating people. The younger the age group, the better chance you have I think. Adults can be a bit thick. Nonetheless, it's annoying seeing these type of campaigns work out to mostly be public posturing more than actually doing something.
If he's going to do deal with Rio, it should be done internally. It does pose the question of the possibility of lack of communication and it's a shame this will make the headlines more than the actual football. In addition, this is the type of shit the media feast upon instead of actually focusing on the more pressing issue. Are we doing enough to kick racism out of football?
On a grander scale, actually wearing the shirt doesn't mean so much in my eyes. These type of occasions pose as mere formalities. It's the same shit where FIFA devoted a segment for the captains to read statements in support of their "Fight racism" campaign. At the very very least, it brings awareness. After that, it becomes a distant memory as everyone focuses on the football. The only time it actually resurfaces is when you have incidents such as what transpired in Serbia this past week. Other than that, you don't really hear anything.
Finally, if they're actually going to make serious efforts, they're going to need to find more effective measures of educating people. The younger the age group, the better chance you have I think. Adults can be a bit thick. Nonetheless, it's annoying seeing these type of campaigns work out to mostly be public posturing more than actually doing something.
But maybe SAF should have just kept quiet, knowing that one of his own players has been indirectly and directly impacted by a racial issue that he quite justifiably felt has been mishandled by the FA (which is linked to Kick It Out.)
It's a huge call by Rio if you think about it, I suspect he knew it'd cause a storm and possibly spell an end to his United career, but he feels passionately about the issue. Ironically Terry and Suarez were backed by their clubs despite their brushes with racism, yet Rio may get the sack because he 'voiced' his disapproval of the Kick It campaign and the FA. I mean, it's ridiculous.
We'l come out of it in poor light if too much action is taken against Rio considering all that has happened recently. The scousers looked like mugs supporting a racist, we'd look not as bad but still pretty bad if we punished a player for standing up against FA's lack of action on the issue.
Spoony I don't think this is going to have a major impact on Rio's career here, but Fergie should have a word with him. This is bigger than his brother's or anybody else's personal opinion. The kick it out campaign is not perfect far from it but its a step in the right direction, and therefore should be supported. I have empathy for all those players who chose not to wear the T-shirts yesterday but I think this campaign needs unity. The F.A. are trying just look how far we are ahead of Serbia they won't even admit there is a problem. We are trying every little helps and God forbid we go back to the 80's culture regarding racism.
Fergie's fault for coming out to say that everyone will be wearing the t-shirt.
It's like making Evra wear a Suarez t-shirt.
It's like making Evra wear a Suarez t-shirt.
No it isn't.....
Rio has have ample time to talk about the system not working and he's not. This Terry situation comes up - has he retired from England? No. Anyone disgusted by Terrys Inclusion, would surely not want to play for England again....and then give his reasons.
The easy way, is to not put on a simple top and it's turned into a club issue - which is stupid because it's not.
Fergie thinks his authority over the players is a more Important issue than racism in society, he's an arrogant,twat sometimes. Are players supposed to drop their principles to bow down to his bullying? I hope not. I really hope Rio tells him to feck off on this one...... But I hope he doesn't do it on twitter.
This
This
Even if you don't think the FA are doing enough it's really daft to stop supporting the campaign. Isolation from the campaign by influential individuals in the game, like Ferdinand, only further weakens it's potential. What is the message Rio is sending? "I'm not going to support this campaign (and indirectly the cause) because the campaign isn't supporting the cause enough?" It makes no sense.
You can raise your greviences separately. But surely, spreading the spirit of the campaign makes sense to do even if you disagree with how much is being done?
You can raise your greviences separately. But surely, spreading the spirit of the campaign makes sense to do even if you disagree with how much is being done?
Its simply a way to bring into attention the poor way in which FA has handled the issues. You cannot have a KIO campaign and then punish offenders with 4 game bans, its a joke. When a high profile player like Rio takes a stand, it'l further the campaign and give it more strength. He's actually making the campaign stronger by not wearing a meek Tshirt which solves no purpose when the governing body does not take serious action against offenders.
Surely players could fund an independent Kick It type organisation? Will be interesting to see what comes out of this.
Is he making it stronger, though? The most influential person in the footballing world thinks he's wrong. The issues he raises are relevant but the way he's going about it is a bit childish IMO. To make an impact you have to gather the support of people more influential and respected than you (like Fergie for example). He seems to reacting a bit too much like out of personal conflict rather than using tact and intelligence. I could be wrong, but that's my gut feeling.
That's actually a great way to counter it. Either raise your concerns (garnering support from others serious about it) whilst supporting it or do your own thing (with the help of others serious about it) in a bigger and better way.
Most people think Fergie's wrong, and as a man of principle he should respect other people's right to protest. This is clearly more closer to Rio's heart than Fergie's, so he should offer him some support. He's dropped a Kenny style clanger, let's hope it won't cause too much damage. Lescott hasn't worn KIO t-shirts for five years, perhaps he was on to something a long time ago.
Ridiculous post,
He's punishing Ferdinand as he went behind the clubs back. The players on the pitch represent the club and its decision to support 'Kick It Out', how is that Fergie putting his authority above racism ffs?
The club (which is more than just Fergie) clearly made the decision that attacking an anti-racism organisation isn't the right way to proceed.
If we'd have said we were punishing Rio for something he'd said on Twitter id say we were being ridiculous but he has no right to express his own views while wearing the shirt.
What better way does he have though? I dont think people would be happy if he called a presser and gave a lengthy interview regarding the issue. That'l cause even more distraction and he'd be blamed for causing distraction in the dressing room.
He made his stand known in an easier and smaller way, the impact will still be the same. Its SAF's "he's embarrassed me and will be dealt with" statement yesterday that has taken the attention away from the real issue.
I agree he's acting out of personal conflict, he has good reason for it though. The entire Terry episode and the final ban was diabolical. He has every right to feel let down by the FA. Why wear KIO Tshirts every game when you wont even take serious action against players found guilty?
Lastly, i dont think SAFs opinion on this means more than someone like Rio. SAF, as he always done, wants to do whats best for the team. He wanted everyone to wear it because he does not want distractions and wants the team to focus on the football. Rio has been personally affected by it though and wanted to make a stand. I respect him for that. Its very hypocritical of SAF to force people to toe the party line when he always goes against authority when he feels he/the club has been dealt with in an unjust manner.
Fair point and maybe the problem is in analyzing this action in isolation. Merely not wearing the t-shirt serves little purpose other than weakening this campaign and maybe sending a message to the guys who run it who may or, just as importantly, may not head it. What matters is what Rio does apart from this. For this non action, there has to be a follow up action.
I do agree that it's his individual right to comply or not. He doesn't have to agree with Fergie's opinion because he is managed by him.
Did you just "this" your own fecking post?
A ferocious reaction by SAF cause something that didn't really deserve it.He could have gotten rid of the pb the same way the WBA officials did with Jason Roberts
Agree with most of what you say. I just feel there are two ways to deal with it. One is individually saying "this shit isn't working" (which he has done) and then going on to to do it the right way. The other is to do get influential people like Fergie and others on board to say "this shit isn't working". That would force the FA's hand.
The reason I feel his actions so far are not exactly productive is because I don't think the FA will heed his message. Not sure the pressure of Rio's actions will be strong enough to force them to act.
Also, I agree that SAF's opinion doesn't mean more in general. But because he's so influential it means more when it comes to putting pressure on the FA and the footballing world in general.
This to me seems like bullying on SAF's part, because he was undermined.
It would be a further insult to fine or reprimand Rio after what's gone over the year. His brother was racially abused and the judicial system, FA, and the England management put the Euro's (football) ahead of racism by contriving to delay Terry's case, and the FA inquiry - Rio was even dropped from the England team so Terry could be accommodated.
How is Rio and other black players supposed to think and react to a campaign who have effectively remained so quiet over the year?
It would be a further insult to fine or reprimand Rio after what's gone over the year. His brother was racially abused and the judicial system, FA, and the England management put the Euro's (football) ahead of racism by contriving to delay Terry's case, and the FA inquiry - Rio was even dropped from the England team so Terry could be accommodated.
How is Rio and other black players supposed to think and react to a campaign who have effectively remained so quiet over the year?
I agree that having people like SAF on board would help a lot but it isnt going to happen really. SAF has already made his stand public, he isnt going to back down now.
This will escalate i feel. SAF will take some sort of action, its upto Rio then as to how he responds. If he makes it a point to carry it forward, there will be problems.
Fergie made it into a club issue by saying everyone's gonna wear it. He could have not said anything.
It is all over the papers today, so rio got his attention he craves.
Now lets hope he does something with it in a positive way. Actively try to improve the situation would be a start.
It's a hassle Utd could do without. I totally understand why Fergie is pissed. Rio should have gone about this in a different way.
Now lets hope he does something with it in a positive way. Actively try to improve the situation would be a start.
It's a hassle Utd could do without. I totally understand why Fergie is pissed. Rio should have gone about this in a different way.
Glossy posters is not enough!
Had those running the kick racism out show campaigned and spoken out against the issues more vehemently over the last year SAF would have had a case.
Suggest a few.
And its pretty incredible you think Rio did what he did yesterday because he craves attention.
Some people would eat the crap from Fergie's behind. All very RAWKish.
An in depth interview with a credible journo or a TV interview with sky sports news. Express his concerns and what he would like to see improve.
Rio is one of the biggest attention whores in football.
On the face of it I think fergie is in the wrong but I guess it depends on what's happened behind the scenes. Maybe fergie was given assurances that rio would wear it before he went to the press conference on Friday but I doubt that. I don't think rio would like to anyone about his stance. Been a breakdown in communication either way.
Thing is fergie has made it a far bigger deal than it needed to be. He could have brushed it off yesterday but its now headline news.
Really don't know how this will end. Can't see for a second that rio will backdown, and I'm unsure how warm their relationship is atm with fergie continually saying rio can't/shouldn't play for England anymore despite it being clear that he wanted/wants to. Really hope we don't get to a situation where rio is forced out, even slightly worried that he'll be dropped for a run of games, we can't really afford that.
Thing is fergie has made it a far bigger deal than it needed to be. He could have brushed it off yesterday but its now headline news.
Really don't know how this will end. Can't see for a second that rio will backdown, and I'm unsure how warm their relationship is atm with fergie continually saying rio can't/shouldn't play for England anymore despite it being clear that he wanted/wants to. Really hope we don't get to a situation where rio is forced out, even slightly worried that he'll be dropped for a run of games, we can't really afford that.
Fergie's "stand" seems more like a hurt ego really. While I'm not sure Rio's actions will prove productive (I hope they do), Fergie has absolutely no right to dictate his players over issues like this.
Is Rio out of contract this summer?
If this fallout doesn't end positively he could well be gone.
If this fallout doesn't end positively he could well be gone.
No
So you think he did not wear the top to get attention and then suggest he do a full on interview with Sky? Which of the 2 do you think would have given him more attention if thats what he actually wants? Think for a moment ffs.
Also, you say its something United could have done without. You think an interview would have gone unnoticed?
You'd be the first poster on here crucifying him for causing distraction at the club if he did that.Its only Chelsea fans i heard till now that came up with the "Anton wants attention", "Rio wants the captaincy" bollox. Its shocking you'd be of the same opinion because i doubt even they truly believe that. His brother was called a "fecking black cnut" and after found guilty, Terry was given a 4 match ban. If you still dont get why he's making a stand, i feel for you.
Could be....
Or else fergie can use this incident to give him a kick in his backside, hoping his form improves.
Its exactly that. His post match comments were, "He's embarrassed me. It'l be dealt with, dont you worry."