Anton pitches in to end football racism Ferdinand’s TV docu aims to kick problem into touch
is following in brother TV footsteps... by making a documentary about racism in football for the BBC.
The ex-QPR ace will reflect on the abuse he has faced on the pitch – including his infamous spat with John Terry.
The Chelsea captain was accused of calling Anton a “f ****** black c***” during a match in 2011.
Terry, who denied using racist language, was banned for four matches and fined £220,000 as a result.
The ex-England skipper was cleared in court of racially abusing Anton, now 35 – but the Football
Association decided to take action. Anton’s hourlong documentary, which has the working title Anton Ferdinand: Racism, Football and Me, will air on BBC One later this year.
It will look at how racism in football is dealt with today and feature other bigname players who have suffered abuse both on and off the pitch.
TV company Banijay – which has worked on The Secret Life of 4, 5 and 6 Year Olds for Channel 4 and Eat Well For Less? for the BBC – will be producing the documentary. Anton’s TV project is one of a series of programmes the BBC is working on surrounding racial abuse in soccer. Last month, BBC Three’s Shame In The Game shone a light on the issue in English football, from a grassroots level right up to the Premier League.
Home Office stats suggest it is a growing problem. Last season, there was a 66 per cent rise in the number of hate crimes reported at professional football games in England and Wales.
Of 323 reports in the past two seasons, 230 related to racism.
Anton’s brother, former Manchester United star Rio, has become one of football’s best-loved pundits with acclaimed stints on BT Sport.
The 41-year-old also recently featured in a one-off programme called Becoming a Stepfamily alongside wife Kate.
The show followed the Ferdinands as ex-Towie favourite Kate became stepmum to Rio’s three kids following the death of his first wife Rebecca in 2015. ■■BBC Three’s Shame in The Game is available to watch on iPlayer now