Racism not rife, says QPR boss Fernandes

QPR owner Tony Fernandes has dismissed suggestions that English football has a major problem with racism.

Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand is currently at the centre of a probe into allegations he was racially abused by John Terry during QPR’s 1-0 English Premier League win over Chelsea at Loftus Road last Sunday.

Malaysian-born Fernandes – who took control of QPR in August – said that racism has been clamped down on in English football venues, but said work must continue to stamp out intolerance.

He told BBC Radio’s ‘Sportsweek’: “Coming from a foreign country and having watched football for a long long time, I don’t feel very much racism in football. It’s improved tremendously.”

“I’m a different colour as well. I feel very comfortable going to every ground, I think fans are focused on much more positive things.”

“I’m not saying it’s completely cleared up, and we must continue to work, at it but I think English football should be proud of the achievement it’s made.”

Of the investigation involving Ferdinand, Fernandes said: “We’ve drawn a line under the matter, it’s for the FA.”

“Anton met the management, we’re fully behind him, but we want to focus on the football now.”

“It’s not for us to throw judgement on the matter. It’s in the hands of the correct people. We’re fully behind our player.”

“I haven’t had any direct discussions on this with Anton. He’s just thanked us for our support and he’s focusing on today’s big game (against Spurs). We don’t want him to be distracted from the main purpose.”