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Man Utd icon Rio Ferdinand accused of mocking dwarves after ‘disgusting’ joke about ex-team-mate Patrice Evra
RIO FERDINAND has been slammed on social media for comparing former Manchester United team-mate Patrice Evra to a dwarf.
The retired footballer has been using his Instagram account to upload pictures and videos showing small men, some posing and some playing sport.
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It appears to be continuing some kind of 'joke' with Evra, who has previously likened Ferdinand to "an alpaca".
The original banter also saw Evra compare Ferdinand to a PORN star - uploading a racy photo to emphasis it.
But now many believe former United captain Ferdinand has overstepped the mark.
The latest video shows a black man doing some boxing sparring, with Ferdinand captioning it: "#Lilpatty aka @patrice.evra hitting real hard!
"Keep at it bro. The gloves almost bigger than you 😂🤦🏽♂️.
"Your coach shows u no respect, he is on his knees 😂🙌🏽.
"Goodnight/game over/I’m out!"
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But it has not gone down well with people on the social networking site who have blasted BT Sport pundit Ferdinand for his crass humour.
One user wrote: "It's funny taking the p*** out of little people isn't it, Rio?
"You're using them as an insult. Well done."
Another commented that it was "the unfunniest shout of the day".
Andrew Rose posted: "Anyone else find it wrong that these okes [sic] are taking the p*** out of people with disabilities for their own enjoyment? On a social platform."
Another user, 'Mr Mwila" added: "You're better than this, mocking people born with disabilities in the name of a 'joke'. Disgusting."
And Manchester United fan Rana Nasser slammed the post, writing: "It's disrespectful to little people. YOU need to grow up."
Charity Little People UK told SunSport: "People with dwarfism simply want to live their lives just like everyone else; going to school, shopping, walking down the street and going to work, sometimes in highly respected professions.
"To potentially hear a member of the public repeat such a comment, after seeing a stand up show, can affect them for their entire life.
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"This causes unnecessary distress and anxiety through no fault of the person with dwarfism, simply because they have a genetic difference.
"We strongly urge reconsideration of using people with dwarfism as the subject of jokes.
"We appreciate comedy is a matter of personal opinion, however in 2019, people with dwarfism should not have to live with the consequences of being the subject of someone else's humour."
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