Premier League players including Rio Ferdinand and Lescott snub 'Kick It Out' campaign

Oct 20, 2012 6:30:00 PM

The Manchester United defender could find himself in hot water after not wearing the anti-racism charities t-shirt ahead of Saturday's clash with Stoke at Old Trafford

Several Premier League players, including Jason Roberts, Rio Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott, have chosen to snub the campaign set up by anti-racism organisation 'Kick It Out'.

The Reading striker had led calls to not support the T-shirt campaign ahead of this weekend's fixtures after voicing his opinions that the organisation is not doing enough to stamp racism out of the game.

Ferdinand, whose brother Anton was racially abused by John Terry, resulting in a four-match ban for the Chelsea man, also chose not to wear the shirt and could find himself disciplined as a result after Sir Alex Ferguson had stated that all players would comply before Manchester United's game against Stoke.

"The four-match ban was, for me, not a heavy enough sanction for what happened," Roberts said in the week.

"I'm totally committed to kicking racism out of football but when there's a movement I feel represents the issue in the way that speaks for me and my colleagues, then I will happily support it.

"I think people feel let down by what used to be called 'Let's Kick Racism Out of Football.'

"People don't feel like they have been strong enough."

Kenwyne Jones was another player at Old Trafford who chose not to wear the shirt, while Roberts' Reading team-mate Garath McCleary did likewise.

Micah Richards was another to refuse to acknowledge the campaign, although Patrice Evra, who was racially abused by Luis Suarez last season, did wear the shirt, as did the Uruguayan at Anfield.

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