Rio Ferdinand, the former Manchester United defender and current pundit, made a last-minute request to BT Sport to change the set at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium. Ferdinand was joined by fellow pundits Glenn Hoddle, Joe Cole, and presenter Jake Humphrey. The issue arose when the BT Sport producers placed the pitchside set in an awkward position that meant Ferdinand and his colleagues would have been forced to step on the Real Madrid badge. Ferdinand was shocked and demanded a change, with Cole in agreement.
In a Twitter video, Ferdinand said, “I think we need to have a conversation here Coley…what are they asking us to do mate?” Cole responded saying, “They’re asking us to stand on the Real Madrid badge. You can’t do that man!” Ferdinand then clarified they were having the set re-organised, adding, “This is where we meant to stand. We need to speak to the floor manager and have a word, we can’t do that. We’re going to roll it up so we don’t stand on the badge.”
The incident comes just a day after Joao Cancelo avoided stepping on the Manchester City crest on his return to the Etihad. The defender is still under contract with the Citizens and did not want to offend the club, despite being on loan at Bayern Munich. His introduction to the match in the second half was even greeted with boos by the City faithful, some of whom are unhappy with him leaving the club in January. Cancelo informed the club of his desire to leave in January following a spat with manager Pep Guardiola over playing time.
Ferdinand’s decision not to step on the Real Madrid badge is not surprising given his history with Manchester United. The Red Devils have a fierce rivalry with Los Blancos, and Ferdinand would not want to offend his former club’s fans by showing any disrespect towards their rivals. It also shows that footballers and pundits are aware of the importance of symbols and gestures in the sport.
The incident highlights the importance of respect in football. Players and pundits must be aware of the significance of symbols and gestures in the sport, and they must show respect to their opponents and their fans. Football is a game that brings people together, and it should be played in a spirit of fair play and sportsmanship. The incident also shows that even small gestures can have a big impact on fans and players alike.
In conclusion, Rio Ferdinand’s decision not to step on the Real Madrid badge is a small but significant gesture that shows the importance of respect in football. It also highlights the significance of symbols and gestures in the sport and the impact they can have on fans and players. Football is a game that brings people together, and it should be played in a spirit of fair play and sportsmanship.