On Friday, Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson was asked about Jason Roberts decision to not wear the Kick It Out shirt before Reading’s game against Liverpool. Ferguson wasn’t a fan:
“I have to disagree with Jason Roberts, he is making the wrong point. Everyone should be united, all the players in the country wearing the top, the warm-up tops. I do not know what point he is trying to make or trying to put himself on a different pedestal to everyone else. He really should be supporting all the rest of the players who are doing something. If you are doing something then everyone who believes in it should do it together, we should not have sheep walking off. He is making the wrong message.
The part in bold is the most nonsensical thing I’ve read in some time. Roberts doesn’t believe wearing a shirt will do anything to create real change in a league that has had a horrible year in terms of racial incidents. Unfortunately, Ferguson isn’t alone. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said the movement wouldn’t be credible if Black players didn’t wear the shirt. Maybe the movement doesn’t deserve credibility, Arsene. Maybe the players that have been subject to racial abuse know that wearing a shirt for 15 minutes before a game will do absolutely nothing to change a mindset that is ingrained amongst a segment of society.
Roberts explained his decision:
“I’m totally committed to kicking racism out of football but when there’s a movement I feel represents the issue in the way that speaks for me and my colleagues, then I will happily support it.
Roberts also said he knew other Black players would join him. Rio Ferdinand was one of those them, much to the dismay of his boss.
Disgraceful Fergie quote: “I’m disappointed with Rio Ferdinand not wearing t-shirt. It’s an embarrassment for me and he will be dealt with.”
— Kristian Jack (@KristianJack) October 20, 2012
Embarrassing. For a group of players struggling to understand the actions of the FA, a punishment to Ferdinand may be the final straw. Hopefully a night’s rest will allow Fergie the opportunity to reassess his ludicrous statement, but the damage has been done. Absolutely ridiculous.
I just love the old white man telling black athletes how they should support anti-racism. Maybe next Fergie can tell a bunch of teetotalers how not to drink.
An embarressment for Fergie??? Why does he have to make this about him? what a dumb comment, the shirts are worn to help raise awareness of racism in Soccer it has nothing to do with Fergie.
I think when Ferguson says something recognizably ignorant, that is embarrassing for him, whether he realizes it or not.
Normally Ferguson just sticks to ludicrous statements about football matches and players. What in the hell is he doing now. He’s the one who should be dealt with. Great manager for someone who is clearly senile.
SAF’s comments weren’t about Ferdinand not believing in the Kick It Out campaign. Ferdinand has embarrassed SAF because on Friday he (SAF) told the media that all of his players will wear the Kick It out shirts during pre-game warm-up.
This is the man who sold Beckham, Ruud, Stam, etc for falling out with him, Ferdinand may be the next to be shipped out.
Fergie would have been wise to consult with his players before coming out and telling the media that all of them would wear the shirts. Say what you will about Rio, he would have been up front and told Fergie he wouldn’t wear the shirt.
Clearly that conversation never took place…
I don’t care if SAF takes umbrage with this, both Roberts and Rio did the right thing if their convictions said so.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; these protests against a token effort did more to raise awareness than a stupid t-shirt worn and discarded before the cameras are turned on.
SB
Please research “kick it out” before dismissing it as tokenism. They do some fantastic work at grass roots and community level. The t-shirts at games thing is purely 1 tiny element of their approach.