Rio Ferdinand has launched a defence of his brother Anton regarding the recent racism row involving Chelsea captain John Terry.

The Manchester United defender admits that he has been frustrated by Anton suffering abuse from "small-minded people" following the incident.

"Anton is my little brother," he said. "We have grown up together and I have looked after him when we were kids. "If something is going to affect him and hurt him, I am always there as a shoulder to lean on.

"In moments like this, when things are so public and you can't really say anything, it can be frustrating.

"But he has had to sit there and take abuse from some small-minded people, which has been very disappointing."

Reports have suggested that Rio may refuse to shake John Terry's hand at Stamford Bridge tomorrow afternoon.