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Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has spoken out about the issue of racism in football and he is, unsurprisingly, not happy.

Talking to the BCC the England defender first spoke about his brother Anton and the treatment he has faced since the incident between him and John Terry back in October.

"Anton is my little brother," he said. "We have grown up together and I have looked after him when we were kids. If something is going to affect him and hurt him, I am always there as a shoulder to lean on. In moments like this, when things are so public and you can't really say anything, it can be frustrating.

"For my family, yes, it has been tough. At the end of the day, my brother has not brought any accusations to anyone. He is not the accused. But he has had to sit there and take abuse from some small-minded people, which has been very disappointing."

As for the larger issue of racism in the game, which has arisen repeatedly this season from the Luis Suarez/Patrice Evra case to abuse on Twitter of players like Djibril Cisse and Stan Collymore, Ferdinand feels the progress he thought had happened in the game was all an illusion.

"I almost feel I have been fooled a little bit over the years," said Ferdinand.

"Look back to the days when John Barnes and the other guys were playing and all the stuff they had to deal with, bananas on the pitch etc.

"I have always been someone who has championed our country for making great strides, and we have, but I thought that era was gone. It seems like it was just put to one side for a while.”

As for Manchester United’s meeting with Chelsea tomorrow, and the non-appearance of Terry in that game, Ferdinand was dismissive.

"I couldn't care less if he played or not. I just think about playing for Manchester United and winning the game.

"I let the media talk about it, go on about it and create the storm. We are footballers. That is where we are best. That is where we enjoy being.”