Last Updated: 06th June 2012
ROY HODGSON has messed up badly over the Rio Ferdinand affair, according to sources within Kick It Out.
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The anti-racism campaigners — partly funded by the FA — believe the England boss should have got Ferdinand and John Terry together before selecting his Euro 2012 squad.
Then Hodgson could have worked out for himself whether both defenders could have been chosen.
Hodgson originally claimed Rio was left out for “footballing reasons”.
But the row exploded again over the weekend when Liverpool reserve Martin Kelly was called up ahead of Ferdinand after Gary Cahill was crocked.
The Manchester United star, who has 81 caps compared to Kelly’s one, tweeted “What reasons??!!!” when he was ignored again.
It is a row which is over-shadowing England’s build-up to the tournament as they fly out to their Polish base in Krakow this afternoon.
Ferdinand’s agent Jamie Moralee said the decision smacked of “a total lack of respect”.
When Hodgson got the job he was asked whether Terry and Ferdinand could be in the team as the Chelsea skipper is facing a court case next month for the alleged racial abuse of Rio’s brother Anton.
Hodgson indicated he would sort it out — but he never got the two men together.
He met Terry at Chelsea’s training ground before telling Ferdinand over the phone he was being left out.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, hot favourite for the England job before Hodgson’s appointment, says he would have taken Rio without a second thought.
The SunSport columnist said: “There’s obviously more to it than we know. If it’s just down to football it’s difficult to leave Rio out because he’s still a talented player. I’d have him in any team.
“I’m Rio’s biggest fan, I signed Rio as a little boy at West Ham. But for whatever reason Roy’s decided not to take him — and he’s the boss.”
Holland’s stars are bemused that Ferdinand has not been called up.
Tottenham playmaker Rafael van der Vaart said: “It’s strange. He’s still one of the best defenders in England and maybe in the world.”
And Wesley Sneijder, who was heavily linked with a move to United last summer, said: “I think it was a big surprise.”
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