Ferdinand is riled by racism row

LES FERDINAND has launched a devastating attack on football’s lip service over racism.

QPR’s technical director, below, pulled no punches after his club and Coventry were both criticised for refusing to take the knee ahead of their Championship game last Friday.

“The message has been lost,” said Ferdinand. “It is now not dissimilar to a fancy hashtag or a nice pin badge. “Taking the knee will not bring about change in the game – actions will.” Players, officials and

staff at Premier League and EFL games have been taking a knee pre- match since the 2019- 20 season restarted in June, to show their support for the movement for racial equality.

Many black players are also protesting over the English game’s racism crisis, the lack of black managers and the lack of representation at the top of the game.

Ferdinand said: “Recently, I took the decision not to do any more interviews on racism in football because the debate was going around in circles.

“Taking the knee was very powerful but we feel that impact has now been diluted. In the same way ‘ Clap For Carers’ was very emotional for us all, it got to a stage where it had run its natural tural course and the e decision was rightly ightly made to stop it.

“Does that mean we, as a nation, don’t care are or appreciate our NHS workers? Of course, it doesn’t. No one ne is more passionate te than me about t this topic. I work for one of the most diverse football clubs in this country. A lot of peo people are being foo fooled out t th there.” er

The EFL said in a statement: “Th The League sup supports any pl player who c chooses to ‘ take a knee’. I It is not a de deferral of responsibility, it is allowing a choice.”