Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has called on the governing bodies of Football to adopt a tougher scheme of action against racism. He came forward after Richarlison got a banana thrown on him during Brazil’s win over Tunisia.
The former Manchester United defender hit out on the lack of outrage after a banana was thrown on Brazilian attacker Richarlison during Brazil’s win over Tunisia 5-1.
The Tottenham striker found the net twice in Brazil’s encounter against Tunisia. Although, when the 25-year-old was celebrating his second goal for the yellow and dark blue attire, several objects were thrown at him, including a banana.
The matter was condemned by the footballer himself, the Brazilian football confederation and Tottenham after the match. But former England defender Rio Ferdinand was left disheartened by the actions.
Rio Ferdinand wants the governing authorities to stop “sweeping racism under the carpet” and adopt tougher sanctions regarding the rule breakers.
What does Rio Ferdinand have to say about Richarlison?
Talking about the incident on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: “The sanctions are not working, the sanctions aren’t hard enough. There aren’t barriers, no repercussions, no authority saying this is what we stand for, and if you cross that line bang.”
“The way racism is treated now is like, let’s just keep sweeping it under the carpet. No one shouts loud enough, no player, no club, no organisation can stand tall for long enough. It’s disheartening. You’ve got your own kids waking up saying, ‘Dad, you seen that banana thrown on the pitch at Richarlison?’ It’s mad this.”
According to Ferdinand, the racist attack that took place toward Richarlison on Tuesday went unnoticed by the authorities. Even on social media, it incurred lesser reactions than Richarlison’s showboating in Tottenham’s win against Nottingham Forest last month.
After getting support regarding the racism, the Brazilian attacker also replied to Rio Ferdinand’s call of making the sanctions tougher for the rule breakers.
The 25-year-old wrote on Twitter: “As long as they stay ‘blah blah blah’ and don’t punish, it will continue like this, happening every day and everywhere. No time bro! #racismonao [racism no].”
