‘All my players to wear anti-racism shirts’
20 Oct 2012 7:56 AM IST
Alex Ferguson has revealed all his players will wear the anti-racism ‘Let’s Kick It Out’ t-shirts ahead of their game with Stoke this weekend despite pleas from Reading striker Jason Roberts to boycott the show of unity.
The Manchester United manager hit out at Roberts for going against the campaign, with the Reading striker believing the anti-discrimination body have failed to tackle racism over the last year in the wake of the John Terry and Anton Ferdinand case.
Roberts said on Thursday: ‘I find it hard to wear a T-shirt after what has happened in the last year. I won’t wear one.
‘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.
‘I think people feel let down by what used to be called ‘Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football’. People don’t feel like they have been strong enough.’
But Ferguson believes every player in the country should back the plan to ensure the right message is given and insisted all his players - including Rio Ferdinand whose brother was involved in the John Terry case - will wear the shirts before the game at Old Trafford.
‘I have to disagree with Jason Roberts, he is making the wrong point,’ Ferguson said. ‘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.
All my players will wear it. All the players will be wearing it, except for Roberts who seems to be different.’
The Manchester United manager hit out at Roberts for going against the campaign, with the Reading striker believing the anti-discrimination body have failed to tackle racism over the last year in the wake of the John Terry and Anton Ferdinand case.
Roberts said on Thursday: ‘I find it hard to wear a T-shirt after what has happened in the last year. I won’t wear one.
‘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.
‘I think people feel let down by what used to be called ‘Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football’. People don’t feel like they have been strong enough.’
But Ferguson believes every player in the country should back the plan to ensure the right message is given and insisted all his players - including Rio Ferdinand whose brother was involved in the John Terry case - will wear the shirts before the game at Old Trafford.
‘I have to disagree with Jason Roberts, he is making the wrong point,’ Ferguson said. ‘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.
All my players will wear it. All the players will be wearing it, except for Roberts who seems to be different.’
Next Story
