Anton Ferdinand documentary

ranger-boy
Don Givens

Posts: 1,682

Anton Ferdinand documentary Dec 1, 2020 23:48:55 GMT

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Post by ranger-boy on Dec 1, 2020 23:48:55 GMT

I completely forgot to start this thread yesterday, but did anybody manage to see Antons Racism documentary on BBC1 last night? If not, I can't recommend it enough if you get the chance to watch it on IPlayer!
There are a few points from it that came to my mind whilst watching it, that I won't spoil for anyone who hasn't seen it yet!

SPOILER: Click to show

1. It shows hoe the FA were almost willing to throw Anton under the bus to protect Terry
2. How little the club actually supported Anton. I dont even remember them coming out with an official statement of support to Anton at the time (please correct me if I'm wrong)
3. It really does highlight how you'll get better treatment if you're the big powerful one (like Terry)
4. It really showed why his performances for us dipped massively with all this hanging over his head
5. Could this have even affected Rio? We all know about his wife passing, but as their mum was ill starting from all of this, could that be part of the reason why he wasn't up to his best whilst with us?

It would be interesting to see if any of your opinions match/differ to mine whilst watching it!

But there's one thing I'm sure we can all agree on, things need to change right now with how racism is dealt with in this country, and I don't just mean on the football pitch.

Last Edit: Dec 2, 2020 6:57:32 GMT by northwesthoop

I am a QPR fan for life, sometimes happily!

kingfisher
Les Ferdinand

The Sussex Rs fan group celebrate drawing with Sheff Utd

Posts: 9,292

Anton Ferdinand documentary Dec 2, 2020 22:07:38 GMT

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Post by kingfisher on Dec 2, 2020 22:07:38 GMT

Dec 1, 2020 23:48:55 GMT ranger-boy said:

I completely forgot to start this thread yesterday, but did anybody manage to see Antons Racism documentary on BBC1 last night? If not, I can't recommend it enough if you get the chance to watch it on IPlayer!
There are a few points from it that came to my mind whilst watching it, that I won't spoil for anyone who hasn't seen it yet!

SPOILER: Click to show

1. It shows hoe the FA were almost willing to throw Anton under the bus to protect Terry
2. How little the club actually supported Anton. I dont even remember them coming out with an official statement of support to Anton at the time (please correct me if I'm wrong)
3. It really does highlight how you'll get better treatment if you're the big powerful one (like Terry)
4. It really showed why his performances for us dipped massively with all this hanging over his head
5. Could this have even affected Rio? We all know about his wife passing, but as their mum was ill starting from all of this, could that be part of the reason why he wasn't up to his best whilst with us?

It would be interesting to see if any of your opinions match/differ to mine whilst watching it!

But there's one thing I'm sure we can all agree on, things need to change right now with how racism is dealt with in this country, and I don't just mean on the football pitch.

100% agree with your highlights and opinion. I disliked Terry before but the documentary and subsequent interviews with Anton Ferdinand brought it all back! Football is starting to trascende many different areas now - e.g. fashion and community care, but it is still failing to deal with problems related to sexism and race. It is way behind the curve in those areas!

Proudly supporting QPR

northwesthoop
Stan Bowles

@admin

Posts: 12,654

Anton Ferdinand documentary Dec 3, 2020 21:28:18 GMT

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Post by northwesthoop on Dec 3, 2020 21:28:18 GMT

I've just watched it and it was very interesting. I thought it could have been longer, perhaps 2 or 3 parts, exploring in more detail how his career went downhill etc.

You are right on point 3, it was clear the FA was initially scared to bring the England captain down in public.

I still don't understand why Anton couldn't have just said he didn't hear anything. By not saying anything at all he kind of allowed it to become a media circus.

John Terry ignoring Anton reaching out for the documentary was low, but his lawyers probably told him he had to. All he'd have been able to do was contradict his original statement, which could have had major repercussions as it did go to court.

I've Got Blue and White Hooped Blood

stoatey
Gerry Francis

Posts: 8,634

Anton Ferdinand documentary Dec 3, 2020 22:39:14 GMT

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Post by stoatey on Dec 3, 2020 22:39:14 GMT

What nobody should forget is the part Ashley Cole and Chelsea played in the whole saga.

The FA hired an independent panel to investigate and their enquiry found that, Ashley Cole's evidence "evolved" over time in order to further support Terry's defence. The FA subsequently accused Cole – Terry's principal supporting witness – of lying. In his first statement to the FA Cole made no mention of having heard Ferdinand use the word "black". In a revised statement he asked for the word be inserted into his statement to strengthen Terry's defence.

The commission concluded: "Mr Cole did not hear, and could not have believed, understood or misunderstood Mr Ferdinand to have used the word 'black'."

It was the Chelsea club secretary, David Barnard, who facilitated Ashley Cole's change of evidence. The commission concluded that there were "very real concerns" over Barnard's evidence and said it was "materially defective".

As pointed out at the time that was a damning indictment of the Chelsea club secretary.

Only Ashley Cole knows what he really heard but if he did lie as was suggested by the FA then maybe he should now own up.