Rio - Fans should be ashamed

Stand-in skipper leaps to defence of criticised full-back

By James Dall   Last updated: 12th October 2008

Ashley Cole England

Cole: Victim of boos

It leaves a sour taste in your mouth. I am sure the people who booed him [Ashley Cole] will probably go home and, on reflection, maybe feel a little bit ashamed of themselves.

Rio Ferdinand
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England's stand-in captain Rio Ferdinand believes the supporters that booed Ashley Cole at Wembley on Saturday should feel 'ashamed' by their actions.

Cole was victim of a chorus of boos from sections of the home fans during the 5-1 victory over Kazakhstan after his error allowed the visitors to pull a goal back in the Group 6 World Cup qualifier.

The Chelsea full-back's sloppy pass was pounced upon by Zhambyl Kukeyev on 68 minutes, before England regained their focus and made sure of the three points in the latter stages.

Ferdinand, who skippered the side in the absence of John Terry and opened the scoring, was disappointed by the verbal criticism directed at Cole, and hopes that it will not happen again in the future.

The Manchester United centre-back told Sky Sports News: "It leaves a sour taste in your mouth, but I would like to think the majority of fans were the ones applauding him and trying to boost his confidence.

"I am sure the people who booed him will probably go home and, on reflection, maybe feel a little bit ashamed of themselves and hopefully won't do it again."

World's best

Frank Lampard, meanwhile, strongly defended his Chelsea team-mate, adding: "It is a negative because, if I am honest, at the moment I think Ashley Cole is the best left-back in the world."

Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe, who came off the bench to score England's fifth, also leapt to the defence of Cole.

He said: "I was very surprised. Ashley for me is one of the best full-backs in the world. He has been so consistent for a number of years. It was a little bit harsh."