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.
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.
"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."