Edgar Davids has said that he agrees with Steven Gerrard's assessment of the England fans who chose to boo Rio Ferdinand.

The Three Lions skipper admitted that the supporters were well within their rights to jeer Ferdinand after the Manchester United defender withdrew from the squad for the games against San Marino and Montenegro.

Davids, who is now player-manager at Barnet, has said that he subscribes to Gerrard's opinion on the subject.

"Steven Gerrard was right, though, when he said England fans had the right to boo Rio Ferdinand after he turned down the chance to play for his country," Davids told the Daily Mail.

"They have paid their money and they are entitled to their opinion. And all this nonsense about Rio's 15-hour round trip to Doha [to provide analysis on Dubai TV], honestly, it makes me laugh. Do people think they don't have beds on aeroplanes?

"I don't think we need to be vaguely concerned about his back. I'm sure he wasn't hunched up with his knees in his face in economy class. We have to trust him on that. It's his call and that's it."

Ferdinand pulled out of the squad citing issues over his training regime.