Ferdinands vow to erase 'deep divisions'

For 12 months now, the pair have been at the centre of a racism saga that has only just been resolved after John Terry decided to accept his four-match ban.

During that time, Anton has been abused by Chelsea supporters for bringing a court action over what happened at Loftus Road and Rio has been ignored for EURO 2012 selection, his friends believe as a direct result of Terry being in the squad.

A schism has also emerged between the Ferdinands and Ashley Cole - previously close friends - over the Chelsea man's evidence at Westminster Magistrates Court, that he did not hear Terry use the word 'black'.

With arguments rumbling on and the Ferdinands feeling they were being let down by the bodies that should be backing them, the pair were amongst those who refused to wear T-shirts for the anti-racism campaign 'Kick It Out' at their games this weekend.

Now though, it is clear they want to draw a line under the public debate, whilst offering the hope their assistance is sought over football's ills.

"It has been a year since the incident at Loftus Road," a statement from the Ferdinands' management team, New Era Global Sports, read.

"During that time, some of the deep divisions that exist in football have been exposed.

"In the coming months there will be ongoing discussions, we are sure, on finding a way forward. We intend to participate in these discussions, along with numerous other current and ex professionals of all races, from the grass roots upwards, across the football community as a whole.

"On the issue of 'Kick it Out', we would like to go on record to say what fantastic work they have done in the past regarding education and awareness.

"However, times change and organisations need to change with them. We are more than happy to join the discussion, privately, to make 'Kick It Out' more relevant in its fight to stamp out racism in football.

"Although we have been left disappointed by the PFA and the FA's actions over the last year, as a family, we are committed to working with football's existing organisations towards the betterment of the game and to achieve immediate action.

"We would like to thank all the fans and the staff at Queen's Park Rangers and Manchester United for their support in what has been a difficult year. In particular we want to thank Sir Alex Ferguson and Mark Hughes.

"We will not be discussing publicly any issues connected with the case. We are now going to concentrate on playing football."

Rio Ferdinand has already distanced him from talk of a breakaway union being launched purely for black players.

In clear-the-air discussions with Sir Alex Ferguson on Sunday after he had ignored the Manchester United manager's demand to wear the 'Kick It Out' shirt, Ferdinand was told collective action is more productive than individuals who may go off "as sheep".

What the pair have done is raise a debate on 'Kick it Out' and how best to adapt it to the demands of the modern game where, despite the huge number of high-profile black players, there are virtually no coaches and few managers of ethnic minorities, and few in positions of administrative authority either.

Many feel the fact 'Kick it Out' is funded directly by the Football Association compromises its ability to criticise the FA, whilst chairman Lord Ouseley has called on Premier League players to use their massive public profile to raise awareness.