Les Ferdinand says that English football did not handle the racism

QPR director of football Les Ferdinand says that English football did not handle the racism incident involving John Terry and Anton Ferdinand particularly well.

Terry was found guilty of racially abusing Ferdinand in a match between the two clubs a few years ago. However, he was let off the hook by the court of law. There was, however, no escaping the punishment from the English FA, who banned the former England captain for four matches and also slapped a fine close to £ 250,000. This incident resulted in the retirement of Terry from England duty citing the lack of support from the English FA itself.

Ferdinand says that English football is inherently racist and this has often been the way people think about the game. He has also blamed the racist attitude towards the lack of coaching opportunities that he has had since his retirement 10 years ago. Ferdinand has revealed that he has been approached for a managerial role only once in the last decade, which is not really a reflection of the successful playing career that he had with the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle. Ferdinand did not last long at QPR and is currently playing with Championship outfit Reading.

“I suppose it was disbelief really, that the England captain would use language like that on a football field, or anywhere in fact.I think it’s a situation that could have been put to bed quite quickly.And when you look at the game and the disproportion of black coaches in the game, maybe they’re not actually saying what John Terry said, but are they thinking it? Because I have to believe that.I know lots of players that I play with who’d love to go into coaching and management and they’ve done all the badges, but they just won’t get an opportunity,” said Ferdinand.