Rio Gavin Ferdinand

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Manchester United players' chip ban was part of David Moyes' downfall at OId Trafford, claims Rio Ferdinand

* Rio Ferdinand believes David Moyes made a number of mistakes during his Old Trafford tenure
* Moyes banned low-fat chips which had been a traditional pre-match meal
* Ferdinand made the revelations in his autobiography, #2Sides
* Former England defender does not believe Moyes' mentality suited United
* Ferdinand says Moyes 'unintentionally' created 'a negative vibe'

Rio Ferdinand might struggle to convince the majority of coaches in modern elite sport that banning chips the night before a game amounted to a catastrophic error of judgment.

But in his new autobiography the former Manchester United defender presents an aversion to deep fried potatoes as one of a number of reasons why David Moyes failed to last beyond 10 months as the successor to Sir Alex Ferguson.

Some might point to Ferdinand as one of a number of senior players who happened to be past their best when Moyes took charge at Old Trafford in July last year. There is no denying Moyes was presented with a huge rebuilding job that is only now being addressed by Louis van Gaal with a massive transfer outlay approaching £200million.


Ferdinand and Manchester United struggled for form under David Moyes' management last season

Moyes would not deny he made mistakes either. Indeed he admitted as much in the interview he gave to Sportsmail; the first since his brutal dismissal on April 22.

But Ferdinand gives his own, fairly detailed view of the Moyes tenure in the book, #2Sides , being serialised in The Sun.

The 35-year-old defender, who moved to QPR during the summer, does recognise that Moyes was ‘unlucky’. He also says he could not fault his desire to succeed. ‘He was a genuine guy and no one could have worked harder,’ he writes.

But Ferdinand thought Moyes made a number of key mistakes, among them the banning of what had long been part of a traditional pre-match meal. He said it was ‘a ritual’ to have ‘low-fat chips the night before a game’.

Ferdinand said the United players ‘loved’ their chips but within a week of becoming manager Moyes had banned them ‘for no good reason’. ‘All the lads were p****d off,’ complains Ferdinand. He says the moment Moyes left and Ryan Giggs took temporary charge, chips returned to the menu.

Moyes believed in going for a pre-match team walk. Ferdinand said this was anathema to the players. ‘When lots of little things start changing its destabilising,’ he said.


Rio Ferdinand (left) has slammed David Moyes for the Scot's reign as manager of Manchester United

In his interview with Sportsmail, Moyes accepted that in hindsight he might have taken ‘a slightly different approach’. At the same time he conceded methods that proved successful at Everton perhaps did not work as well at United. But he insisted he did not go in and make wholesale changes. ‘I didn’t want to change anything immediately,’ he said last month. ‘I wanted to take my time working out what I thought was needed.’ He felt he was ‘not given time to succeed or fail’, but praised the players for their work ethic. ‘They were fantastic,’ he said.

Ferdinand is not quite so generous towards Moyes, claiming there was a lack of clarity when it came to tactics and a lack of appreciation of what it meant to be part of United.

He recalls a training session Moyes held in a public part of Munich ahead of a Champions League game at Bayern.

When it came to delivering instructions for the match, Ferdinand claims Moyes only succeeded in confusing the players. He says Ferguson used to give ‘simple, concise, clear instructions’. Moyes, however, said they could employ ‘three formations’ depending on ‘how Bayern played’. ‘We lost and 13 days later Moyes was sacked,’ writes Ferdinand.

The former England captain agrees that Moyes was not dismissed ‘in a dignified way’ by United. But he says Moyes ‘tried to impose a vision but never seemed to be completely clear what that vision should be’.

He says he ‘unintentionally created a negative vibe’ and ‘slowly lost’ the players because of an ‘accumulation of mistakes’.

Ferdinand thinks Moyes abandoned United’s tradition for playing with ‘wingers’, and instead ‘wanted the wide players coming inside’. He also stopped the ‘small-sided match on a small pitch’ the players used to enjoy under Ferguson on the eve of a game, changing it to a two-touch game. Ferdinand says this was why United so often ‘looked cramped and played without imagination’.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2757140/Manchester-United-players-chip-ban-David-Moyes-downfall-OId-Trafford-claims-Rio-Ferdinand.html

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Ferdinand blasts "embarrasing" Moyes during Manchester United reign

Rio Ferdinand felt David Moyes misunderstood what was required at United.



Rio Ferdinand says David Moyes created a "negative vibe" during his Manchester United reign and labeled the Scot's tactics as "embarrassing".

The QPR defender, who endured an unhappy return to Old Trafford on Sunday as his side were thrashed 4-0 by his former employers, has lifted the lid on what happened during Moyes' turbulent 10 months in charge.

In his autobiography '#2Sides', which is being serialized by The Sun, the 35-year-old center-back revealed the players were confused by mixed messages from Moyes, frustrated by his mentality and angered by changes in routine, such as the chips being taken away.

He said: "It's not something to go to the barricades over (the chips). But all the lads were p***** off. And guess what happened after Moyes left and Ryan Giggs took over?

"Moyes has been gone about 20 minutes, we're on the bikes warming up for the first training session and one of the lads says: 'You know what? We've got to get on to Giggsy. We've got to get him to get us our f****** chips back."'

Ferdinand says he was excited to work with Moyes when he first took over from Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, but decided it was time to walk away from Old Trafford when he was dropped for United's crunch Champions League clash with Bayern Munich earlier this year.

The former England defender, who has 81 caps, was infuriated by Moyes' decision to let him know he was not playing in front of the rest of the squad, while they trained in a "public park" - something Ferdinand labeled "amateurish".

At that point, which he says was his lowest ebb in 12 years at United, he knew it was time to think about moving on.

United lost 3-1 in Munich, but less than two weeks later Moyes was clearing out his desk and saying his goodbyes at Carrington himself.

The former Everton boss was sacked on April 22 after intense speculation following a 2-0 defeat at, ironically, Goodison Park two days earlier.

Ferdinand believes the Scot was "unlucky" with the way his 10 months at Old Trafford turned out, but ultimately he misunderstand what was required at United.

The former West Ham and Leeds defender, who felt Moyes would have benefited from keeping some of the coaching staff established by Sir Alex at the club, highlighted how worrying about the opposition too much created fear in the dressing room.

"Before every game he made a point of showing us videos of how dangerous the other team could be. On the morning of a game we'd spend half an hour on the training ground, drilling to stop them," he said.

"There was so much attention to the subject it suddenly became a worry - they must be f****** good at this to have us spend all this time on it."

Moyes' lack of clarity created an air of uncertainty, according to Ferdinand.

He recalled one video meeting with Nemanja Vidic and Moyes, dissecting the 4-1 defeat to local rivals Manchester City, and how he emerged afterwards with no idea what the Scot was trying to convey.

He added: "You heard a lot of guys complaining: 'I just don't know what he wants.'

"He had me doubting everything."

Ferdinand continues: "The mixed messages were even worse.

"Sometimes he'd say, 'I want you to pass the ball.' Other days it was: 'I don't want you to pass the ball.' What the f*** do you want us to do, man?

"Unintentionally, he created a negative vibe where, with Fergie, it had always been positive. He'd slowly lost us. I didn't enjoy playing under him."

"Sometimes our main tactic was the long, high, diagonal cross. It was embarrassing. In one home game against Fulham we had 81 crosses! I was thinking, why are we doing this? Andy Carroll doesn't play for us!"

http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/ferdinand-blasts-embarrasing-moyes-during-manchester-united-reign-091514?cmpid=tsmtw:fscom:foxsoccer

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Rio Ferdinand's fall-out with John Terry is toxic but could the FA have sorted it out?

* Rio Ferdinand now says he just wanted a quick apology from John Terry
* Police involvement was prime complication
* Could FA have told police they would deal with Terry?
* They punished Arsenal midfielder Paul Davis for a punch in 1988

A final thought on the toxic fall-out between Rio Ferdinand and John Terry. Might the Football Association have been able to broker a rapprochement? Here were two players who had stood side by side through countless internationals.

With Ferdinand now saying he sought a quick resolution, a simple apology, and did not consider Terry a racist, was there not more common ground than was previously assumed?

The police involvement was the prime complication, yet even this may not have been insurmountable. In a less complicated era, matters on the football field were invariably handled by the FA alone. The police did not want to be involved every time two players got into a fight, and the FA did not want confrontations to end up in court.


Terry and Ferdinand before that match against Switzerland in 2011 (left) and they hug it out vs the USA in 2008

As long as the FA guaranteed stiff discipline and justice, the police were happy to keep their distance. It is the reason Paul Davis of Arsenal was not prosecuted for breaking Southampton midfielder Glenn Cockerill’s jaw in 1988.

Could the FA have told the police that they would deal with Terry? Did they even try? At the time, it more appeared that they backed off the moment the police were involved. Most likely the nature of the offence would have left them terrified; frightened to be thought complacent, or accused of going soft and ignoring racial sensitivities if they merely tried to bring the sides together.

Yet a less punitive, swifter and more positive resolution is what Ferdinand says he wanted. Why, three years on, is the wound still sore? Why, so long after, does it continue to feel like there could have been a better way?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2758242/Rio-Ferdinand-s-fall-John-Terry-toxic-FA-sorted.html

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Rio Ferdinand says Fabio Capello had 'prison-camp mentality' when he was England manager

* Rio Ferdinand won 81 caps for England
* 'With Capello you have to just do what you're told' says Rio
* 'Tactically we were all over the place' under Fabio Capello
* England crashed out of 2010 World Cup to Germany under the Italian
* Ferdinand also calls Roy Hodgson disrespectful for announcing the end of his England career on a train

Rio Ferdinand has accused Fabio Capello of having a ‘prison-camp mentality’ during the Italian’s four-year spell as England manager.

Ferdinand, who won 81 caps for his country, says Capello was the England manager who most disappointed him.

In The Sun’s serialisation of his autobiography #2sides , Ferdinand said: ‘Don Fabio, who was appointed to us in 2008, came to us with a sky-high reputation and I couldn’t wait.


Rio Ferdinand worked with Fabio Capello in the lead-up to the 2010 World for which he was meant to be captain

‘But he brought in a prison-camp mentality. What a let-down! With Capello you have to just do what you’re told or you’re out.

‘We had expected ideas and creativity. Instead, Capello’s attitude was, “I’m the boss and you will do what I say all day, every day”.

‘I know people back home were expecting us to win the World Cup but that was ridiculous. There was no chance of doing anything. Tactically, we were all over the place.’


Rio Ferdinand has also called Roy Hodgson disrespectful for announcing his England future was over on a train

Ferdinand also revealed that he thought it was disrespectful of England boss Roy Hodgson to announce the end of the defender’s international career on a London tube train.

Hodgson was quoted in October 2012 stating to fellow passengers that Ferdinand would not be in the England squad he named because his international career had reached ‘the end of the road’.

Although Hodgson later issued a grovelling apology, Ferdinand admits that their relationship never recovered.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2758744/Rio-Ferdinand-says-Fabio-Capello-prison-camp-mentality-England-manager.html

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Rio Ferdinand takes a leaf out of Jerome Boateng and Dante's books by pulling his shirt tight in a pose for QPR's squad photo

* Ferdinand appeared to mimic the Bayern duo in QPR's team photo
* Jerome Boateng and Dante both pulled their shirts back in an attempt to look good during the Bundesliga champions' photo shoot last month

QPR defender Rio Ferdinand took the opportunity to mimic the pose Bayern Munich duo Dante and Jerome struck in their team photo during his side's one on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old has already declared he is fit and raring to go for this season as he looks to help keep Harry Redknapp's men in the Premier League.

And the former Manchester United defender appeared to want to show evidence of that during the photo shoot, showing off his physique at the club's Harlington training base, as he pulled his shirt back in an attempt to look buff for the cameras.


Rio Ferdinand mimics Dante and Jerome Boateng's shirt antics in the QPR squad photo


Dante (left circled) and Jerome Boateng (right circled) appear to pull their shirts tight in their squad photo

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2759586/Rio-Ferdinand-takes-leaf-Jerome-Boateng-Dante-s-books-pulling-shirt-tight-pose-QPR-s-squad-photo.html

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Wayne Rooney went through phones like they were sweets by throwing them on the concrete, former Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand reveals

* Rio Ferdinand writes about Wayne Rooney's temper in his new book
* Ferdinand says Rooney struck him as an angry young man
* He said his former Manchester United team-mate would often smash phones on the concrete outside their training ground
* Rooney has calmed down now through, Ferdinand says

Rio Ferdinand has lifted the lid on former Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney’s phone-smashing tantrums.

Ferdinand and Rooney played alongside each other for 10 years at Old Trafford until the former left the club during the summer.

And the QPR defender has shed new light on Rooney’s temper - although he admitted the England striker has now calmed down.


Ferdinand says Rooney would often be arguing on his phone outside the United training ground

In The Sun’s serialisation of his autobiography #2sides , Ferdinand said: ‘Wayne Rooney always struck me as a very angry young man, always arguing with people outside the training ground, especially on the phone.

‘He seemed to fly into a rage about the smallest things and went through mobile phones like they were sweets. He’d smash phones up in frustration, throwing them on the concrete.

‘I don’t know what happened but he did calm down.’


Ferdinand writes in his autobiography, #2sides , that Rooney went through phones like they were sweets

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2760259/Wayne-Rooney-went-phones-like-sweets-Rio-Ferdinand-reveals.html

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Rio Ferdinand: Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement hurt Robin van Persie more than any Manchester United player

Former United defender describes moment that Scot shocked his Old Trafford squad



Rio Ferdinand has revealed how Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement hurt Robin van Persie more than any other Manchester United player.

In an interview with MUTV, former United defender Ferdinand described the shock that Van Persie felt when Ferguson announced to the squad that he was stepping down.

Ferdinand, now with Queens Park Rangers, said that none of the squad had foreseen the Scot's decision to step down last summer.

‘It took the wind out of everyone's sails," the 35-year-old Ferdinand said. "It gave us an extra push to go and win be successful in that last season.

United won the title in Ferguson's final season in charge and struggled badly last season when David Moyes replaced him, failing even to qualify for the Champions League. ‘Everyone was really appreciative for what he'd done for our careers. The person it hit more than anyone was Robin. He'd come the year before, tasted that success and wanted more.

‘Visually you could see it hit him harder than anyone else at the time.’

Van Persie struggled as much as any United player under Moyes, who has since been replaced by Louis van Gaal. When asked about Ferguson's retirement announcement last year, the Dutch forward: 'I had to gasp for breath and I shook my head. Had he really said what I thought he'd said? The room fell deathly quiet and then everyone became emotional.

'Sir Alex then had a long talk with the squad. I found it a very special speech and felt privileged to have witnessed it.'

Ferdinand questioned Van Gaal's decision to sell Danny Welbeck to Arsenal on final day of the summer transfer window. "I was surprised [at the move]," he said. 'Gutted really. He's a local lad and has come through from the under-8s. For him to leave was a little disappointing. I don't think we've seen the best of Danny. He's still got a lot more in him.

'I hope the Arsenal manager gives him the chance to be that responsible front man he wants to be. I'm sure you'll see him flourish.'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/11114837/Rio-Ferdinand-Sir-Alex-Fergusons-retirement-hurt-Robin-van-Persie-more-than-any-Manchester-United-player.html

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Harry Redknapp tips QPR defender Rio Ferdinand to be 'another Michel Platini' and take a job running football when he retires

* Harry Redknapp believes QPR defender Rio Ferdinand is suited to a job in football administration
* Ferdinand may be chosen as Britain's FIFA vice-president
* Michel Platini was a legend as a player before becoming UEFA president

Rio Ferdinand has all the qualities to be 'another Michel Platini' and take up a role running the game, according to QPR boss Harry Redknapp.

Ferdinand is in contention to be the Football Association's candidate for Britain's FIFA vice-presidential position despite his current playing commitments at Loftus Road.

The 35-year-old defender is coming to the end of an illustrious playing career that has included winning six Premier League titles, the Champions League and playing at two World Cups.


Ferdinand has endured a tough start to life at Loftus Road but is well respected within world football

Ferdinand spent seven years under Redknapp's tutelage at West Ham and the now-QPR boss has no doubt the former Manchester United defender has a lot to offer the game once he hangs up his boots.

'He could be another Michel Platini (UEFA president) - that'd be nice for him and why not?' Redknapp said.

'He's a bright boy and a lovely guy - an absolute class act on and off the field - he's smart and a top boy.'

Ferdinand, who grew up in Peckham in south London, has shown a strong interest in community work in the past.

He set up The Rio Ferdinand Foundation, which uses role models to help children in education and employment, as well as taking an active role in anti-racism, Aids awareness and child literacy campaigns.

'We need more people like him running the game,' Redknapp said. 'He's got great knowledge of the game and is a great role model.

'He's come out of a working class area in south London area and he's made it.

'I've known him since he was 14 and he's a fantastic boy and he hasn't changed a bit as a person, he's just got a bit more experience now but as a person he's top class.'

Ferdinand has played every minute of QPR's five league games so far and is set to start at the heart of the defence for Saturday's trip to high-flying Southampton.

The veteran has predominantly been used in a central defensive trio this season and while Redknapp reverted to a back four against Stoke last weekend, the QPR boss says 3-5-2 remains an option.

'I had thought about it this week, it's in my mind,' Redknapp said.

'I spoke to the coaches, we had a meeting and chatted about it - it's something that I wouldn't discard.

'I bought the little right back Mauricio Isla in to play right wing back from Juventus and Armand Traore is a left wing back really.

'I've also got five centre halves and I like all of them - to play three of them would suit us fine.'

Southampton have dispelled doubts surrounding their summer transfer policy by taking 10 points from their opening five games and beating Arsenal in the Capital One cup on Tuesday.

The Saints' excellent start under new boss Ronald Koeman sees them sitting second in the Premier League table, three points behind Chelsea.

'I've been very surprised at how well they've done, it's been amazing,' said Redknapp, who managed Southampton for a year from December 2004.

'They keep producing good players there, they've got this conveyor belt of kids coming through.

'They've bought well - Ronald Koeman has got a couple of good players from Holland that he knew and they're a powerful outfit again.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2770210/Harry-Redknapp-tips-Rio-Ferdinand-Michel-Platini-job-running-football.html

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Rio Ferdinand used Kick It Out as a 'punchbag' in his 'book of trivia'... he should be angry at the FA and Premier League, says Lord Ouseley

* Kick It Out chairman Lord Ouseley is not happy with the way Rio Ferdinand has hit out at his organisation
* Ferdinand criticised Kick It Out for failing to support his brother Anton
* The QPR defender branded the anti-racism organisation 'useless'
* Ouseley believes Ferdinand should direct anger 'at the real power brokers'
* Kick It Out chairman adds that Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish's behaviour over Luis Suarez-Patrice Evra race row was 'appalling'

Kick It Out chairman Lord Ouseley has criticised Rio Ferdinand for treating the anti-racism organisation as a 'punchbag' and for what they consider damaging inaccuracies in his autobiography.

In #2sides , QPR defender Ferdinand labels Kick It Out 'useless', accuses it of 'pure lip service' and of a lack of support during John Terry's trial for racially abusing his young brother Anton in 2012.

But Ouseley believes Ferdinand's anger should be directed 'at the real power brokers' and not Kick It Out who, he says, supported the family as much as possible.


Lord Ouseley (right) has hit back at Rio Ferdinand following the defender's public criticism of Kick It Out

He told the Guardian: 'Ferdinand is selling a book of trivia. Meanwhile, the bigger issues remain untouched.'

Kick It Out also dispute the former England captain's claims that they refused to attend court with the family – saying a member of the organisation was present each day.

Ferdinand also says his mum Janice kicked representatives of the organisation out of the home after they refused to wear T-shirts in court, but Kick It Out deny there was any meeting or outburst.

'Unfortunately we are the punchbag for some people and it's easy to have a punchbag like us. We're a soft target and the easiest target.

'Rio should not be attacking the weakest point – the people who are actually supporting him – but the people who were not supporting him. I would have thought the whole of football should have turned up at that court case wanting justice.

'The FA, the Premier League, the clubs, all the people with the real power, not us, and who missed an opportunity and didn't mobilise.

'We are a soft target, but I don't hear criticism of David Bernstein or Richard Scudamore. We did as much as we could but what it shows is a complete lack of understanding about our actual powers.

'Nobody can ever say a player has come to us and we have not supported them. Not one. We have always done what we could whereas there are an awful lot of other people who haven't.'

In #2sides , Ferdinand also criticised Kick It Out for not wearing T-shirts in support of the family outside the courtroom. Kick It Out's representative Danny Lynch attended court in a suit and Ouseley says the criticism was 'pathetic'.

He said: 'It [the criticism] is absolutely pathetic. He was representing Kick It Out and we expected him to dress in a correct way and respect the court. He was there to observe in a professional capacity.'

Ferdinand's camp had no comment when contacted by MailOnline.


Ferdinand refused to shake the hand of Terry during a match between QPR and Chelsea in September 2012

WHO IS LORD OUSELEY?

Herman Ouseley joined the House of Lords in 2001 and is a cross-party peer.
As well as being chairman of Kick It Out, the 69-year-old chairs the Football Association Race Equality Advisory Group and is an FA council member.

The south Londoner supports his local club Millwall but also reportedly has a soft spot for Manchester United.

He added later: 'We don't like being Rio Ferdinand's punchbag. It was very unfair. I have no hang-ups about being criticised but it has to be based on fair and accurate information.

'I just want to put the record straight. We had someone there with the family in court every day - Anton Ferdinand's club [QPR] wasn't there, his union wasn't there every day, but we were. Was Rio himself even there?

'We gave as much support as we could give, we could not do any more, we had no power to do so. We spoke to the club and the police and had meetings. If the clubs had acted properly in the Terry case and the Suarez case we would not have had all this grief.'

Kick It Out had had a number of meetings with the Ferdinand family before the trial, but decided it could not agree to their request for their staff to wear campaigning T-shirts in court.

Ouseley said he had been happy for Ferdinand and Jason Roberts to later boycott the Kick It Out T-shirts because it was only when people 'put their heads above the parapet' that changes were made.

He added: 'I want more to speak out and challenge inequality. You only see action when people speak out - it was only when Kevin-Prince Boateng walked off the pitch in Italy that FIFA sat up and took notice.'

Ouseley also expanded on his reasons for resigning from the FA Council, revealing it came after then FA chairman Bernstein refused to issue an apology on behalf of the governing body for the way it had handled the Terry case.

He said: 'I wanted the chairman to issue a full apology. They mishandled those cases and caused so much grief and because he refused to do, I relinquished my place on the FA Council.

'The Ferdinand family were severely abused, I was severely abused - I got hundreds of abusive emails - and they deserved a full apology.'

Ouseley was also highly critical of Liverpool and their then manager Kenny Dalglish after Luis Suarez was found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra.

The Kick It Out chairman added: 'Liverpool could have been sanctioned three times over the Suarez incident, Kenny Dalglish's behaviour was appalling.


Anton Ferdinand (right) leaves Westminster Magistrates Court after the John Terry racism case in July 2012

'Andre Villas-Boas was manager of Chelsea and kept on saying Terry would always be their captain whatever the outcome.

'The FA only did something about him being England captain when they were about to go off to Euro 2012 and the whole thing was incendiary and very toxic. They hid behind the police inquiry but it is the FA that regulates football and the Ferdinand family were given so much grief.

'We have moved on but you have to purge yourself of these errors.

'I think a lot more people have confidence now, at least people know the FA will investigate everything now.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2776579/Rio-Ferdinand-used-Kick-It-Out-punchbag-says-Lord-Ouseley.html

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Rio Ferdinand launches autobiography at London's Mayfair Hotel as Boris Becker and Jack Whitehall lead guests in attendance

* Rio Ferdinand launches autobiography at London's Mayfair Hotel
* Boris Becker, Ugo Monye and Jack Whitehall among celebrities in attendance for launch in the West End
* Ferdinand's autobiography #2sides released on Thursday

Celebrities turned out in force for the launch of Rio Ferdinand's autobiography on Thursday night.

Tennis legend Boris Becker, England rugby player Ugo Monye and comedians Jack Whitehall and Micky Flanagan were among the stars in attendance at the Mayfair Hotel in London's West End.

Ferdinand's brother, Anton, was also at the launch of #2sides . The Reading defender was involved in the explosive court case with John Terry that saw the Chelsea captain cleared of racially abusing the then QPR centre-back.


Rio Ferdinand was at the Mayfair Hotel in London to launch his new book


Rio Ferdinand took part in a Q&A session hosted by Clare Balding to launch his new book


Rio Ferdinand speaks at the launch of his autobiography in London's West End


Rio Ferdinand with his brother Anton Ferdinand (left) and comedian Jack Whitehall (right)


Rio Ferdinand with his step-sisters at the launch of his autobiography at London's Mayfair Hotel

Rio criticised the Kick It Out anti-racism campaign for failing to support his younger sibling in the former England skipper’s memoirs, only for Lord Herman Ouseley to claim Ferdinand had treated the organisation as a ‘punchbag’.

But Ferdinand said: ‘I haven’t got a personal feud (with him). He can say what he wants, I’m not bothered by what he says.

‘The time came for Kick It Out to stand up and be heard and be seen, and they weren’t.’

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2778863/Rio-Ferdinand-launches-autobiography-London-s-Mayfair-Hotel-Boris-Becker-Jack-Whitehall-lead-guests-attendance.html