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Rio Ferdinand bemoans increasing amount of racist abuse directed at footballers online... as he questions how 'technology' will copyright music but doesn't delete offensive slurs (some of which have been left online for 10 YEARS)

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has called on social media companies to do more to combat the rise in abuse footballers are subjected to online.

The former England defender, who earned 81 caps for the Three Lions, pointed out that social media companies are quick to act when copyright claims are lodged around misuse of music.

Posts that are copyright claimed are typically removed very quickly and Ferdinand wants to see that same technology used to significantly reduce the number of racist posts directed at footballers.

'In my time, you play 90 minutes,' he told ITV's This Morning, 'and there can be a bit of abuse but you can go home and that's it.