Sir Alex Ferguson has said Rio
Ferdinand "will be dealt with" after
not wearing a Kick It Out T-shirt in a
protest against the campaign group.
Manchester United's Ferdinand and
Reading's Jason Roberts both
demonstrated against the
organisation's perceived lack of action
about racism.
Ferguson said of Ferdinand's decision:
"It is embarrassing for me."
The defender's gesture followed racism
high-profile incidents involving Luis
Suarez and John Terry last season.
On Friday, Ferguson had said: "All the
players are wearing it [the Kick It Out T-
shirts]. I have only heard that Jason
Roberts is different.
"I don't know what point he Roberts] is
trying to make."
In contrast, Roberts' decision not to
wear a Kick it Out T-shirt before the 1-0
defeat at Liverpool was backed by
Reading boss Brian McDermott.
"I support him 100%," McDermott said.
"He had his reasons.
"Jason had his view and it was very
strong view. We spoke on Friday and I
totally respect his view."
Kick It Out's period of action started on
Thursday and ends on 29 October.
Premier League players traditionally
wear the T-shirts during this time as a
show of support for the campaign
group and its message, although on
this occasion the action is spread
across two weekends and some clubs
have chosen to wear the tops next
week.
All Ferdinand's Manchester United
team-mates donned the jerseys as they
warmed up before the 4-2 victory
against Stoke at Old Trafford.
At Anfield, Reading's Garath McCleary
and Jem Karacan also took their Kick It
Out tops off soon after entering the
pitch ahead of their game against
Liverpool, but the former gave his to
someone in the crowd and the latter
apparently took his off because he was
too hot.
West Ham confirmed substitute Leo
Chambers and youth player Matthias
Fanimo, who warmed up with the team
prior to the 4-1 win against
Southampton at Upton Park despite not
being part of the matchday squad, did
not wear one as the club had run out.
Chelsea did not put on theirs before
the 4-2 victory at Tottenham as they
plan to join in the action during next
week's fixture against Manchester
United, with Sunderland and Newcastle
also expected to do the same thing
rather than show their support before
Sunday's derby.
Similarly, champions Manchester City
confirmed that next weekend's home
game against Swansea would be their
designated Kick It Out day.
Ferdinand and Roberts' protests came
about following disquiet about the
punishments handed out to Suarez and
Terry after they were found guilty by the
Football Association - a body that partly
funds Kick It Out - of using racist
language.
In September, Chelsea captain Terry
was banned for four matches and fined
£220,000 by the FA for racially abusing
Queens Park Rangers defender Anton
Ferdinand in a Premier League match at
Loftus Road on 23 October 2011.
The centre-back had previously been
cleared of the offence at Westminster
Magistrates' Court in July.
Liverpool striker Suarez received an
eight-match ban and £40,000 fine for
the same offence against Manchester
United's Patrice Evra in a Premier
League game on 15 October 2011.
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