Rio Ferdinand has expressed shock at alleged racist chanting directed at him and brother Anton by England supporters during the 8-0 victory over San Marino.
The chanting was said to be directed towards Manchester United defender Rio, who pulled out of the England squad, and QPR centre-back Anton.
“You expect and accept banter from fans on the terraces as it’s part of what makes the game great,” Rio tweeted.
“But racism is not banter and from your own fans – WOW.”
However, the 34-year-old former West Ham and Leeds player said: “Always a small minority who ruin it for others.”
He later added: “Let’s not jump to conclusions and assume though, as it might just have been banter. We’ll see after the investigation.”
Ferdinand’s comments came after the football anti-racism network Football Against Racism in Europe (Fare) filed a complaint to world governing body Fifa on Thursday.
The Press Association reports that some England fans sang a song suggesting the brothers should be burned on a bonfire.
It has been claimed the song had racist overtones because Anton was racially abused by former England captain John Terry.
The Football Association said it would not comment while it was awaiting notification from Fare about its report to Fifa.
Fare executive director Piara Power said: “I personally think there was an undercurrent of race there. Other people have thought that it has been imbued with racist overtones.
“Although we did not have observers at the match, we have pulled together evidence sent to us, including media comment, and have passed that to Fifa.
“Whether Fifa think that is strong enough to take action is another question entirely and we accept that it is certainly an unusual report.”
Fare is a group of organisations from several European countries which has worked with Fifa and European governing body Uefa to eradicate discrimination in football.
Ferdinand was called into the England squad for the first time since 2011, but withdrew stating that he had a “pre-planned programme”.
It was then reported that he would be travelling to Qatar to work as a television pundit covering the game in San Marino.
In back-to-back World Cup qualifiers, England thrashed San Marino in Serraville before drawing 1-1 at Group H leaders Montenegro.
England manager Roy Hodgson said after the San Marino game that he had heard the abuse, adding: “I’m not deaf. But I’ve absolutely no comment to make on it.”
Meanwhile, European football’s governing body Uefa has encouraged referees to halt matches if they are aware of any racism.
It also called on “national associations and leagues to do the same” in a resolution drawn up by the Professional Football Strategy Council (PFSC) and ratified on Thursday.
Uefa urged “players and coaches – namely those with most influence on the perpetrators of racist acts – to speak out, even if this may mean criticising their own fans or players.”
Source: BBC Sport
