Rio Ferdinand mocked by fans after claiming he is a 'man of the people' ahead of World Cup draw - despite moving to Dubai with wife Kate for a tax-free life
Rio Ferdinand has been hammered by fans for declaring himself a 'man of the people', despite moving to Dubai where he doesn't pay UK tax.
The former Man United star, 47, relocated to the Persian Gulf in August with his wife Kate and children.
Speaking in his capacity as FIFA's World Cup draw conductor ahead of Friday's event in Washington DC, Ferdinand was asked about tickets pricing fans out.
Dan Roan of the BBC asked: 'Do you think the cost of tickets needs to be borne in mind to fans? There's been a lot around dynamic pricing that might be pricing out certain fans. Is it important that this event does have football fans for the atmosphere and they're not priced out?
Ferdinand replied: 'I am a man of the people in terms of I'm from a place where we were always hoping for things to be accessible.
'I know that the people behind the scenes at FIFA are aiming and working to something like that now, whether they get there for that remains to be seen.
Rio Ferdinand has been called out by fans for declaring himself a 'man of the people'
Ferdinand and his wife Kate (left) relocated to Dubai earlier this year with the family
He also said: 'I think we have to be conscious of that and I think FIFA are definitely people who are conscious of that, the powers that be there.
'I think we can look at every industry, every sector, we have that conversation about things and I think it's more about making sure that there's a product that's super elite that matches what's on the pitch and then everyone can feel that it's justified taking time out and working hard to go and get tickets.'
The response of Ferdinand to call himself a 'man of the people' angered many football fans online.
In reacting to his comments, one wrote: 'Man of the people whilst sunning it up in Dubai dodging taxes.
Another added: 'Man of the people; living the kings life in tax free Dubai and tmrw taking the FIFA shilling working as part of the draw team. Nice one Rio.'
'I’m a man of the people but I have moved to Dubai to avoid paying tax that may go to… checks notes… the people,' added another.
There were dozens of football supporters pointing out Ferdinand's clear hypocrisy, with another writing: 'I’m am a man of the people. So I moved to Dubai to avoid paying UK tax and stopped contributing to schools, hospitals and pensions for the elderly.'
Last month, multi-millionaire Ferdinand went on LBC to explain his reasons for moving to Dubai and discussed tax specifically.
Ferdinand said: 'If things like the health service, for example, was absolutely flying and working perfectly well then I think people wouldn't mind paying tax.
Rio Ferdinand (pictured with his wife Kate) swapped life in England for Dubai in August
'But when there's things that are falling apart and going wrong in the country, then I sit there and go, we pay towards tax and is it really going towards the things that are actually benefiting the people that live here?
'And that's the big question that needs answering. I think a lot of us know the answer to that.'
FIFA's controversial ticketing plan for next summer's tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada has been controversial.
Prices will initially range from $60 (£44.69) in the group stages to a staggering $6,730 (£5,013) in the final - but could change due to the variable costing.
It is the same system which caused such a furore for Oasis' tour earlier this year, which saw £135 standing tickets re-hashed as 'in demand' and bumped up to £355 on Ticketmaster, plus fees.
'We will adapt prices as per the demand we see, as per the remaining inventory,' a FIFA official said.
'While we have committed to the starting point we will apply variable pricing from day one of the process. We do not intend at all to change prices every five minutes.'
Ferdinand says he saw a different side to Dubai when he visited friends of his wife Kate (above)
England fans are expected to be hit harder than most given that the Three Lions are expected to be backed by a strong following in the United States.
For the World Cup, hospitality packages have already been sold since May. For the eight matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, including the final on July 19, prices range from $3,500 (£2,606) to $73,200 (£54,490) per person.
The draw for the tournament takes place on Friday in a star-studded event and Ferdinand will be front and centre for FIFA.
The ex-England international shares four-year-old Cree and two-year-old Shae with wife Kate, who is also stepmother to his three teenage children Lorenz, Tate, 17, and Tia, 14, from his previous marriage to Rebecca Ellison. Lorenz and Tate live in England as they are on the books at Brighton and Hove Albion.
Last month he went on to elaborate on his decision to move to Dubai, saying: 'We spent time with a couple of (partner) Kate's friends who lived there (Dubai) and I just saw a different side to it. I also have a business out there, Football Escapes.
'In Dubai, it feels like they're valued and the lifestyle means that they're happy and vibrant with a good energy for the kids. Lifestyle, safety, weather and just a new life.
The World Cup draw will take place on Friday, where Ferdinand will be alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino (above) at a star-studded event
'I wanted a new chapter and I've been doing TNT (TV) since I retired for the last 10-11 years. When I made the decision, I thought "this must be 30 years when my life is driven by the fixture list. Not now. I'm not leaving football, but it's just not the governing body of my life now. I've got to be honest, it feels nice.'
'I thought about moving, then we went back again in February for a little look at the schools just in case and it just pricked my mind to think about it,' he added.
'That was almost like a big kicker for me because the education system felt different, felt better for my kids. The children who are coming are 14, which is perfect because it's their two years of GCSEs starting this August.
'Then we’ve got a four and a two-year-old, so it's perfect timing for them as well. And the curriculum is English curriculum, but it's just done a different way. I feel the teachers in the UK feel a little bit like undervalued, underpaid.'
