Royals boss backs Roberts

Reading managed Brian McDermott is backing his striker Jason Roberts, after the forward refused the wear the ‘Kick it out’ shirt during the warm-up with Liverpool.

Along with many other high-profile black players such as Rio Ferdinand, Anton Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott among others, refused to wear the shirt, that boasts a campaign against racism. McDermott also spoke about incidents last week in Serbia, admitting he wrote to Danny Rose to praise his conduct after the game, despite extreme racial abuse.

Speaking to the Official Reading FC website, McDermott said: ‘I spoke with Jason about it, and he was very clear in his views. I supported him 100%, he had his reasons, you’ll speak to him about them and like I say I support him 100%. When you consider what’s gone on this week in Serbia with Danny Rose, it’s incredible, I’ve never seen anything like that.’

‘I wrote to Danny Rose this week because I thought the way he conducted himself was first class and he looks like a top guy. Hopefully we can put these issues to bed because they don’t belong in football, or in society. People feel very strongly, and I can only speak for Jason and my players, Jason feels very very strongly about it. I back him 100%.’

The stance McDermott is taking to Roberts is admirable and respecting his beliefs, yet in comparison you have Alex Ferguson threatening to punish Rio Ferdinand for not wearing the t-shirt. Every player has an opinion and a right to express it, the two contrasts is rather astonishing.