Rio, racism and homophobia

A transcript of part of Rio Ferdinand's guest appearance on the Chris Moyles show can be found on my blog last Monday.

Peter Tatchell the gay rights campaigner is reported as saying "Even as a joke, homophobic quips are just as unacceptable as racist ones but since Rio Ferdinand very promptly apologised, I am happy to accept his regret and leave it at that."

Having read up on Rio Ferdinand over the last few days, I think Peter Tatchell is naive to believe that a simple apology is enough.

Mr Ferdinand has done a great deal of work in the fight against racism. In his autobiography, Rio: My Story he talks of the racist abuse a teammate received being called "a black bastard" and a "coon." Rio said things have improved since the 1970's when his hero John Barnes was playing. He said it's still around in pockets of England, but it's worse abroad.

Rio has written to UEFA supporting their efforts to stamp out racism, backing plans to give referees increased powers at matches affected by racist chanting. And of course Rio has been one of the main supporters of the anti-bullying campaigns. Two years ago he took part in an anti-bullying video reading part of a poem - "I am the person you alienated, I am the person you ridiculed and hated"

But ten days ago he used just about the most offensive homophobic term there is. I think his claim not to be homophobic isn't enough. Rio Ferdinand is a role model. He should go out there and campaign against homophobia with the same vehemence as he has done against racism. People might then start to believe what he says.