By DAN KARELL
Rio Ferdinand has heard racist chants in the past, but never before from his own supporters.
The Manchester United defender has said he was shocked to hear about England fans at last Friday’s 8-0 win in San Marino chanting about him and his brother Anton, using lyrics with racist overtones.
Ferdinand, who caused an uproar over his pulling out of the England squad, and then taking a trip to Qatar during the international break, tweeted his displeasure at the news of the racist chanting. The anti-racism organization FARE filed a complaint about the chanting with FIFA, which will likely lead to an investigation.
England manager Roy Hodgson clued the press in after that match that he had heard it, but was quoted saying “I have absolutely no comment to make.”
Here are some more stories to get your Friday started:
PSG BOSS WANTS BECKHAM TO EXTEND HIS STAY
It looks like “Le Spice Boy” could be extending his stay in Paris after all.
Speaking on the record for the first time about David Beckham’s contract, Paris Saint-Germain manager Carlo Ancelotti claimed that he would love to give the former England midfielder a contract extension. Beckham signed a deal at the end of January through the end of June, but there has been wide speculation that it could be extended based on performances.
Ancelotti also defended Beckham’s trip to China, saying that the 37-year-old had the commitment to travel there even before he signed for the Parisian club.
“There’s no problem. Not for me, not for the club, not for the players,” Ancelotti told ESPN Soccernet. “I also agreed. I didn’t understand the debate provoked by his trip. Some had a holiday, he went to China.”
Since arriving in France, Beckham has played five matches for PSG, going the full 90 minutes in his most recent outing at Saint-Etienne.
QATAR TO MOVE FORWARD WITH SUMMER WORLD CUP
Awarding the 2022 World Cup to Qatar has brought along with it massive controversy, including the idea of possibly moving the World Cup to the Northern Hemisphere’s winter months.
The Secretary General of the Qatar World Cup committee Hassan Al-Thawadi has rejected those claims, and has stated that he and his group are moving forward with their plans to host the World Cup in June and July of 2022. The Qatari pointed out that when applying to host the World Cup, they had applied with a summer competition in mind.
Numerous people have come out in favor of moving the 2022 World Cup to the winter, including UEFA President Michel Platini, though FIFA President Sepp Blatter has made clear that the final decision will have to come from Al-Thawadi and his committee, which won’t happen until some time in 2015.
QUICK KICKS
Former Holland midfielder Clarence Seedorf could be facing anywhere from a six-to-12-match ban for his actions during a match last Sunday for Botafogo in Brazil, which saw him get a red card for leaving the field the wrong way. (REPORT)
Fulham defender Brede Hangeland has signed a two-year contract extension to stay at Craven Cottage. (REPORT)
Liverpool is reportedly planning a €20 million move to sign Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen. (REPORT)
The Western Sydney Wanderers won the A-League Premiers’ Plate, the first time an expansion team has won the trophy. (REPORT)
League One side Coventry City have been deducted 10 points after entering administration. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? Do you see England being fined for the racist chanting? How long do you see Beckham staying in Paris? Do you believe the World Cup will end up being played in the Qatari summer?
Share your thoughts below.