David Bernstein: 'Black players PFA in nobody's interest'

The Chairman of the Football Association David Bernstein has insisted that a 'black players' union would be in "nobody's interest".

Several black players including Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand are unhappy with anti-racism group Kick It Out over what they believe is a lack of action towards eradicating racism from football.

As a result, there are talks of the 33-year-old setting up a breakaway group known as 'The Federation of Black Players', although Bernstein believes that this wouldn't be a good idea.

"First and foremost, I respect the right of individuals to deal with these moral issues as they think fit," said Bernstein. "If individuals and teams feel they can't do certain things then they must follow what they believe to be correct. So I support the individual. Having said that, I think Kick It Out is a first-class organisation.

"It has been doing fantastic work for 20 years, headed by Lord Ouseley, who I know very well. We have had our differences, he has given me a hard time on occasions about things but has always been very fair.

"I hope that Kick It Out manage to hold this constituency together. It's not an easy moment but if that fragments it will be in nobody's interest. Whilst respecting everybody's right to their own views, I hope Kick It Out continues to do the good work that it has done over the last 20 years."

Ferdinand was one of a number of players who refused to wear the campaign's T-shirt over the weekend's Premier League action.