Former West Ham defender Rio Ferdinand blasts Dimitri Payet's strike

25 January 2017 10:54

Rio Ferdinand has launched a scathing attack on West Ham rebel Dimitri Payet.

France star Payet has refused to play for the Hammers in a bid to force a move back to his old club Marseille.

The 29-year-old has been exiled to train with the club's under-23s while West Ham haggle with the French side.

But former Hammers defender Ferdinand has blasted the actions of Payet and his advisers.

"Whatever has gone on I would never have said 'I'm not playing'," said Ferdinand.

"I had problems at football clubs at various different times but it never entered my mind not to play.

"You owe it to the club and the fans. Especially where he came from before he got to this club.

"They gave him the platform to play at Euro 2016, they gave him a platform for a new contract and to become a player known in the football world, and you have to respect that.

"I don't know the ins and outs but I understand the fans' frustrations.

"A lot of them would give their right arm to play for West Ham and would not understand how a player could say he wouldn't play. They would do it without thinking.

"Who is advising him? He is a grown man and should understand it himself but sometimes you are in a bubble and need good advisers, and I question that."

:: Rio Ferdinand was speaking at a media event for Star Sixes, a new competitive world football tournament for iconic former international players to be held at The O2, London, from July 13-16.

:: Tickets for the first-ever Star Sixes tournament will go on sale on Friday, January 27 at 9am at:www.theo2.co.uk/starsixes Follow: @starsixes

Source: PA