Ferdinand calls for tough action against racism

Former England striker Les Ferdinand, whose cousin is at the centre of the racism investigation against John Terry, does not want the England captain to be allowed to play for his country again if he is found guilty.

The Football Association (FA) is investigating whether the Chelsea captain directed a racial slur at Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match on Sunday.

The probe was triggered Tuesday by QPR’s official complaint after footage of Terry apparently mouthing the insult at the black player spread on social networking sites.

Terry has denied allegations of racism, saying his comments were taken out of context.

But if Terry was found guilty, his future playing for England — not only as captain — would be thrown into doubt, just seven months after regaining the armband following a sex scandal.

Anton Ferdinand’s close relative said the English football authorities need to be seen to be acting tough on racism.

Asked if Terry should be banned from the national team if the allegations were proven, Les Ferdinand said Wednesday: “It’s down to the FA, but I’d be shouting from the rooftops (for that).”

“They need to make a statement,” he added. “If they don’t make a statement, paltry fines that have been handed out in the past prove to people that these people do not believe there is a problem with racism in football.”

Ferdinand spoke to The Associated Press at the Black List Awards in London, which recognise the achievements of black people in English football. He said he has to speak to his cousin about the incident.

“The more we see (racism) is a problem and we can do something about it, the more it eradicates the problem from happening,” Ferdinand said. “Until we can do that, this problem will continue (to) happen and I think it will steadily get worse until major steps are taken about stamping this out.”

The Terry incident is also being investigated by police in London.

The 30-year-old defender said the alleged comments directed at Ferdinand were taken out of context by social media users who spread the video on Sunday night.

“I thought Anton was accusing me of using a racist slur against him,” he said after the match. “I responded aggressively, saying that I never used that term.”

The incident happened during English football’s anti-racism week, which highlights the progress made since abuse marred the game in the 1970s and 80s.

And it came just a week after the FA launched a probe into allegations that Liverpool striker Luis Suarez racially abused Manchester United’s black defender Patrice Evra during a Premier League match.

“I think the FA, FIFA and UEFA have been in positions where they have been able to stamp out a few problems which have reared their ugly heads in the last few years and they haven’t done so, or they haven’t done it diligently enough,” Ferdinand said. “And I think that’s what has brought us to where we are today talking about this situation (with Anton).”
 

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