A MAN IS in custody after Rio Ferdinand was racially abused during Manchester United’s 2-1 win at Wolves today.
The former England and Man United defender was working for BT Sport at the game, and West Midlands Police have confirmed that a 31-year-old man has been arrested in relation to the incident.
Before the game, a small number of supporters were also heard booing when players from both teams took the knee to highlight the ongoing issue of racism.
Ferdinand confirmed the monkey chant incident on Twitter, writing: “The last couple weeks, it’s been unreal to see fans back. However to the Wolves fan who has just been thrown out for doing a monkey chant at me. You need to be dismissed from football & educated. Come meet me & I will help you understand what it feels like to be racially abused.”
The last couple weeks, it’s been unreal to see fans back. However
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) May 23, 2021
To the Wolves fan who has just been thrown out for doing a monkey chant at me. You need to be dismissed from football & educated. Come meet me & I will help you understand what it feels like to be racially abused!
Ferdinand also spoke about the incident on BT Sport after the match.
“I’d love to meet up with the fella and just educate him,” Ferdinand said.
"I'd love to meet up with the fella and just educate him a little bit.
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 23, 2021
"Punishing people without education isn't the way forward."@rioferdy5 offers his thoughts and feelings on a shameful racist incident at Molineux.
The person in question is in police custody.#DrawTheLine pic.twitter.com/acVqs8ngHB
“I think that’s part of the problem, punishing people without education isn’t the way forward. It’s disappointing, people have waited all these months to get back into stadiums and then you come in with ignorance like that. Uncalled for, not needed, not warranted at all.
“The atmosphere the fans created today was fantastic and one person tries to destroy it for everybody else.
“That’s somebody who has no awareness at all about their surroundings or the current climate. Someone obviously lacking any form of education to know what is right and wrong.”
Ferdinand also explained why he would like to meet the person who racially abused him.
“I think part of the problem is that sometimes, (when) situations like this arise they just get punished with no education as to what they are doing and the effects of what they are doing, and why people stand up against stuff like this.”
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