Rio backs brother Anton Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand has backed his brother Anton as the England defender faces abuse from the aftermath of the John Terry racial incident last year. This week it has been announced that John Terry will go to trial in July.

"Anton is my little brother," Ferdinand said. "We have grown up together and I have looked after him when we were kids. If something is going to affect him and hurt him, I am always there as a shoulder to lean on.


"In moments like this, when things are so public and you can't really say anything, it can be frustrating. For my family, yes, it has been tough. At the end of the day, my brother has not brought any accusations to anyone. He is not the accused, but he has had to sit there and take abuse from some small-minded people, which has been very disappointing.


"I hope people see what effect that has, not just on the actual person but the people around them as well, and think before they speak."