Mexico friendly seals Ferdinand's appointment as captain
Rio Ferdinand has been hailed by anti-racism campaigners after becoming England’s first black captain on a permanent basis.
Paul Ince, Sol Campbell and Emile Heskey have worn the armband before but were standing in for first-choice skippers.
Ferdinand’s appointment was confirmed last week and Kick It Out see the defender as a leader both on the pitch and off the pitch through his charity work.
“Over the years Rio has grown as a player and as a role model” said Kick It Out director Piara Powar.
“This appointment is proof of that. This World Cup, the first in Africa, will show how football is a universal sport, demonstrating many universal values.
“Against this background, it is fitting that England will be led out by a man who is mixed race and conscious of the role he plays in multi-racial Britain.”














