Rio Ferdinand

Sultan said:
The players might have done all that behind the scenes and not succeeded. Rio could have inadvertently created publicity needed to change the way the campaign is run in the future.
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He may have, only time will tell. He may not though. This could easily pan out with Rio being 'the one at fault' in the media. Doesn't care about kicking racism out, especially after what happened to his brother, blah blah. Which obviously isn't the case, but you know the media.

I think going about it the peaceful way while still getting out there that racism needs kicking out of football, would have been the best way. By stopping it, Rio is essentially saying 'it's a waste of time, I'm not bothering with it' which is wrong. If it stops and nothing better comes along, then what are we doing? Nothing. IMO the right decision is to support the message, and then be pro active about changing those responsible if they aren't fit for purpose, but away from the field and away from newspaper headlines and controversy.

That'sHernandez said:
Could be right, though if you feel the organisation isn't adequately representing your needs, what motivation do you have to support it? For example would you vote for the Lib Dems after they dropped a policy you felt strongly about?
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Like I said yesterday, wearing the tshirt IMO doesn't have to be supporting the organisation. It's supporting the message. The shirt doesn't say 'The KIO organisation are awesome guys' it just depicts the message that we need to kick racism out of football. You either believe that message or you don't.

Who is in charge of it, and whether they are fit for purpose is a separate matter and should and could be dealt with separately. The root cause itself is one that's worth supporting.
 
lysglimt said:
I can understand Ferdinand not wanting to do this - but the fact is, he is employed by Manchester United and he was ordered by his boss to do this. I slaughtered Suarez when he made a mockery out of Dalglish after Kenny said in the press that he would shake Evra's hand.

Ferdinand has now done exactly the same - he has undermined Fergusons authority. That rarely ends well - luckily for Rio, Ferguson has few players to choose from right now. But I wouldn't want to be the one talking to Ferguson after undermining his authority in the press
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If I'm not mistaken, the difference is that Suarez told his boss one thing and did another. In this case, we have no reason to believe that Ferdinand mislead Sir Alex.

And if you're implying that players should anyway toe the line set by their bosses then that's ridiculous. My boss can feck off if he want to impose his views on social issues on me.
 
Sultan said:
He gets paid to play football. The club do not own him! It's not as if he came out to play in a different coloured shirt, or refused to wear the clubs suit.
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They get paid to do a lot more than just play football, they're paid to represent the club in a wide variety of affairs.

Own him? He was at work ffs
 
This is going to offend but feck it, you're a fecking idiot if you think this is Rio 'attention seeking'. Maybe having never been in the situation or a similar situation you think it's OK to trivialise the matter.

Have you ever thought that this is something he feels passionately about?

Forget the football and think about the impact this will have had on him off field? His family? Anton being sent a bullet, the chants from Chelsea fans 'Anton Ferdinand, you know what you are' (I work inside Stamford Bridge I hear this ALL THE TIME).

The FA abandoned him and every black player with their handling of this situation, told them all you're just not as important as the England captain or the Euros but still protest, it is effective!

Lescott the same with Emre, I bet there are tons of people that don't even know what happened there because it wasn't dealt with properly.

Just so you know, this is probably one of the most sincere interviews I have seen from Rio, if you think it's all for attention hopefully this may change your mind a little:

 
Smores said:
They get paid to do a lot more than just play football, they're paid to represent the club in a wide variety of affairs.

Own him? He was at work ffs
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He is not a slave. He has a mind of his own. He is only employed because he is rather good at playing football, and he worked his shift!
 
Seriously people sticking up for Fergie on this need to give your heads a wobble.

He always has been and always will be a selfish cnut, one that manipulates any scenario to suit himself. No loyalty or gratitude shown until a time comes when it no longer matters.

Rio has done absolutely nout wrong, embarrassing as feck for both the club and Fergie.
 
Smores said:
They get paid to do a lot more than just play football, they're paid to represent the club in a wide variety of affairs.

Own him? He was at work ffs
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So were Glenn Johnson and his mates when they donned Save Suarez t-shirts.
 
VII said:
Fergie made it into a club issue by saying everyone's gonna wear it. He could have not said anything.
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When has Rio not worn the top in the past? Yes this came about because of the Terry incident but Sir Alex is only human and if he wasn't told, then why should he think any different?

If Sir Alex had of known, maybe he'd have brought Rio to the press conference ...

It's a two way street. Sir Alex always tries to protect the players, they should be aware of their responsibilities.
 
Smores said:
They get paid to do a lot more than just play football, they're paid to represent the club in a wide variety of affairs.

Own him? He was at work ffs
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You're work can't make you support a cause that's up to you, they can't force you too. They can ask you to but they can't make you and I'd be surprised if legally they could punish you for it.
 
Smores said:
They get paid to do a lot more than just play football, they're paid to represent the club in a wide variety of affairs.

Own him? He was at work ffs
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Does not mean they have to toe the line on a social issue like Racism. SAF's just doing what is best for the football aspect of the club. Wants everyone to wear it so that there's no distraction and attention on us. It means more to Rio though and its no surprise he made a stand.

As Spoony said, did you criticize Johnson Dalglish and Co or were you of the same opinion then?
 
Randall Flagg said:
Obviously that was the stupidest thing of all time. But I am guessing all players agreed to wear the tops before they made an arse of themselves.
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Yes, but they were following club orders. Drones the lot of them.
 
The fact is this issue isn't a club issue...It's not a club issue. Rio should have gone to Sir Alex and said he won't wear the top. It's simple. It's not hard. If you want to make a stand?

He's on twitter all the time. In the past he's wore the top. This is different with it being his brother and Terry...but i would ask him why wear the shirt in the past then?

If you don't believe that's fine - it's an issue because Rio didn't inform Sir Alex of his intentions. If he had, maybe he'd have sat by Sir Alex at the press conference and it'd be a non matter.
 
Striker10 said:
When has Rio not worn the top in the past? Yes this came about because of the Terry incident but Sir Alex is only human and if he wasn't told, then why should he think any different?

If Sir Alex had of known, maybe he'd have brought Rio to the press conference ...

It's a two way street. Sir Alex always tries to protect the players, they should be aware of their responsibilities.
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Sir Alex could easily have asked the players their opinions on the matter before the press conference. He could also have made light of the question in the post match interview. He is a human being and is simply wrong in this instance.
 
Yeah but you can equally say that fergie should have known rio's stance before he said what he did. There were already rumours he wouldn't wear it, it's not for fergie to decide for Ferdinand what he does. I doubt Ferdinand said he would wear it and then didn't, looks to me that fergie said what he said without consulting with rio first.
 
Sultan said:
Sir Alex could easily have asked the players their opinions on the matter before the press conference. He could also have made light of the question in the post match interview. He is a human being and is simply wrong in this instance.
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Sultan we don't know if he did or not. We're assuming he didn't. He can't make light of it....Sir Alex cannot be seen to have lost control of the dressing room. If you lose the dressing room, it's a big thing. You don't laugh it off. I wouldn't be surprised if Sir Alex talks to Rio and pats him on the back.
 
Striker10 said:
The fact is this issue isn't a club issue...It's not a club issue. Rio should have gone to Sir Alex and said he won't wear the top. It's simple. It's not hard. If you want to make a stand?

He's on twitter all the time. In the past he's wore the top. This is different with it being his brother and Terry...but i would ask him why wear the shirt in the past then?

If you don't believe that's fine - it's an issue because Rio didn't inform Sir Alex of his intentions. If he had, maybe he'd have sat by Sir Alex at the press conference and it'd be a non matter.
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If it's not a club issue then why should Rio discuss it with SAF? You're all over the place in trying to excuse SAF. Players don't sit with SAF during Premiership press conferences.
 
Striker10 said:
Sultan we don't know if he did or not. We're assuming he didn't. He can't make light of it....Sir Alex cannot be seen to have lost control of the dressing room. If you lose the dressing room, it's a big thing. You don't laugh it off. I wouldn't be surprised if Sir Alex talks to Rio and pats him on the back.
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I'm not assuming anything. You're the one who said Rio should have gone to Sir Alex to discuss the issue. See your previous post.
 
Spoony Kobayashi said:
Some people would eat the crap from Fergie's behind. All very RAWKish.
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I can sometimes be that person, purely because I think "How can I know any better?", but on this matter, SAF has got it wrong.

Rio had every right and justification to do what he did yesterday, and after the effects racism has had on Manchester United in the past 18 months, I'd have hoped SAF would have supported his players rights to assert to real opinions.

I hope this thing does not now snowball out of all proportion. Hopefully, SAF will sit with one of his senior and trusted players and both come to an understanding, behind closed doors, and that be the end of it.

But I guess the problem for SAF is that if he does deal with it that way, its clearly not the end of it as Rio will rightly continue to 'campaign' on his terms until he is satisfied that appropriate actions are being taken.
 
Tell you what, when you lot go into work tomorrow you should all launch a personal campaign. Tell people about it when you're on the phone, include details about it in any emails etc you send out.

Dont tell your boss about it.

See how it works out for you.
 
jem said:
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.)
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Have you ever been in a press conference?
 
Eyepopper said:
Tell you what, when you lot go into work tomorrow you should all launch a personal campaign. Tell people about it when you're on the phone, include details about it in any emails etc you send out.

Dont tell your boss about it.

See how it works out for you.
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Or,

If you're an employer, tell your employees that they have to toe the line not only regarding office matters but social issues too. In fact, tell them they don't need to think for themselves at all, you'll make all their personal decisions for them too.
 
Eyepopper said:
Tell you what, when you lot go into work tomorrow you should all launch a personal campaign. Tell people about it when you're on the phone, include details about it in any emails etc you send out.

Dont tell your boss about it.

See how it works out for you.
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That's a separate issue though. Rio didn't come out with his own t-shirt saying something. He chose not to be involved in an external cause him employer was trying to promote. That's entirely fine.

If you're boss went to you I want everyone to wear badges saying vote Conservative/Labour etc and you didn't believe in that then you'd be entirely within reason to not do so. What would be wrong is if you started pushing your personal agenda on others without you're employers permission. Rio didn't do that, he simply didn't take part in a cause his manager wanted him to.
 
antohan said:
Have you ever been in a press conference?
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He could have handled it like the Reading manager did. He could even have said that personally he thinks everyone should show unity but end of the day it's Rio's choice. What he shouldn't have done is effectively make the choice for Rio, not unless he had already agreed it before which is pretty unlikely.
 
Sultan said:
In any work place you would face instant dismissal. They were found guilty of using racist language. Keep up!
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Football pitch is not just your average work place.

What Anton Ferdinand said prior to the alleged racist remark from Terry would have him dismissed on the spot, too.
 
Ash_G said:
That's a separate issue though. Rio didn't come out with his own t-shirt saying something. He chose not to be involved in an external cause him employer was trying to promote. That's entirely fine.

If you're boss went to you I want everyone to wear badges saying vote Conservative/Labour etc and you didn't believe in that then you'd be entirely within reason to not do so. What would be wrong is if you started pushing your personal agenda on others without you're employers permission. Rio didn't do that, he simply didn't take part in a cause his manager wanted him to.
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That's not the same either. The message simple reads, kick racism out of football. It doesn't read 'back the people behind this campaign' which is the only message your example would directly relate to. It's not the same as wearing a badge asking people to vote conservatice or labour.

It's a tshirt with a statement. Wearing it doesn't need to insinuate that you are confident in the people behidn the message, only that you're confident in the message.
 
Ever since the 'choc ice' retweet, which was more racially offensive than 'black cnut' in my book, I've had no time for Rio on this matter. It won't be long before I have no time for him at all.

Even if SAF hadn't said what he did during Friday's press conference, Rio's belief that he has the moral high ground and is fighting the good fight is cringeworthy. If he played for any other club, I think we'd be disgusted that he wasn't banned for his Twitter drama. His 'it's not what I thought it meant' defence is no more relevant than Suarez's 'cultural differences' when it comes to offence caused.
 
omardalvi said:
I'm reading that reports emerging he's been fined a week's wages.
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I expected that to be the case and usually that should be about it.

What I'm worried about is that apparently we were due to wear them again next week :nervous:
 
amolbhatia100 said:
Or,

If you're an employer, tell your employees that they have to toe the line not only regarding office matters but social issues too. In fact, tell them they don't need to think for themselves at all, you'll make all their personal decisions for them too.
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So next time there a minutes silence and one player decides not to take part but continue practising his frees from 25 yards no one should have a problem?

People are making out like this is a black or white thing (excuse the pun). It's not, obviously Rios entitled to whatever opinion he wants but as a senior member of the squad you'd hope that he'd consult with the manager and club in how he chooses to make his point, is he legally obliged to? No! Is it basic common sense?
 
lysglimt said:
I can understand Ferdinand not wanting to do this - but the fact is, he is employed by Manchester United and he was ordered by his boss to do this. I slaughtered Suarez when he made a mockery out of Dalglish after Kenny said in the press that he would shake Evra's hand.

Ferdinand has now done exactly the same - he has undermined Fergusons authority. That rarely ends well - luckily for Rio, Ferguson has few players to choose from right now. But I wouldn't want to be the one talking to Ferguson after undermining his authority in the press
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So the Liverpool players were right for wearing Suarez t shirts on the orders of their manager? Seem to remember them getting slaughtered on here for it, especially Johnson.
 
Ash_G said:
He could have handled it like the Reading manager did. He could even have said that personally he thinks everyone should show unity but end of the day it's Rio's choice. What he shouldn't have done is effectively make the choice for Rio, not unless he had already agreed it before which is pretty unlikely.
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No one gives a shit what the Reading manager thinks, it doesn't sell papers, he could say whatever the feck he wants really.

If Ferguson hints Rio may not feel like it he opens himself up to an entire line of questioning around the Terry case and how the FA handled the whole thing. He shouldn't get anywhere near that.
 
Crumpsall Red said:
So the Liverpool players were right for wearing Suarez t shirts on the orders of their manager? Seem to remember them getting slaughtered on here for it, especially Johnson.
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He's talking about Dalglish saying Suarez would shake hands.

Not the tshirts.
 
Clarke Carlisle chairman of the campaign said Rio was well with in his rights to opt out.
 
antohan said:
No one gives a shit what the Reading manager thinks, it doesn't sell papers, he could say whatever the feck he wants really.

If Ferguson hints Rio may not feel like it he opens himself up to an entire line of questioning around the Terry case and how the FA handled the whole thing. He shouldn't get anywhere near that.
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Right so you're saying that the only way Fergie could have responded was the way he did? The Terry situation has gone on for ages not and Fergie has given plenty of interviews without having to say too much on the situation. Fergie is an absolute beast in press conferences, if he doesn't want to talk about something he doesn't, if he thinks he's answered the question that he'll stop further questions.

He clearly had his own viewpoint on the situation, his comments about Robert's etc was well thought out. He wanted to make his personal point about what he thinks should happen and he seemed to be completely unaware that one of his most high profile players completely disagreed.

Without having assurances that Rio would wear the t-shirt Fergie should never have taken such a clear cut stance and having done so in order to stop it becoming headline news for the wrong reasons he could have tried to play it down yesterday but he didn't. Unless Rio told Fergie he would wear it and then didn't I don't think Rio has done anything wrong.
 
Crumpsall Red said:
That would be a feckin disgrace, hope Rio stands his ground, the PFA would fight his corner.
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That would be idiotic. "OK Rio, you made your point, know it was important for you, but that will knock 1/52nd of your millionaire salary off". "OK boss, I'll have to put off buying my First Tuesday car, sorry to make you look stupid but I did feel strongly about it".

That should be it.

Best scenario is next weekend the whole thing is killed off explaining that clearly Rio feels strongly about it and he is obviously entitled not to wear it, the fine is for taking a stance different from what had been agreed/the manager had expressed beforehand, but he is free not to wear it against Chelsea...

Hopefully
 
It's great though isn't it?

Another weekend where Sundays sport sections are dominated by everything but what actually happened during the game.
 
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