FA brands the Wembley boo boys 'crazy' for targeting Cole

THE Football Association says that the supporters who booed Ashley Cole at Wembley on Saturday should be ashamed of themselves for their "crazy" behaviour.

Messages of rebuke came from within and around the England squad yesterday as stand-in captain Rio Ferdinand, fans' representatives, the FA and coach Fabio Capello all had their say.

Cole had a rare off-night and made the mistake which saw Kazakhstan score a surprise second-half goal in England's 5-1 World Cup qualifying victory. The Chelsea full-back was booed by a section of the crowd intent on making their feelings known – although other supporters directed their displeasure at the fans abusing Cole.

The FA, while delighted at the support received from most of a capacity 90,000 crowd, felt let down by those who attacked Cole. "It is crazy that a section of our own supporters are booing one of our own players," said FA director of communications Adrian Bevington.

"That is clearly not going to help the team during the course of a game, and certainly not the individual being booed."

Cole, in the spotlight over the past year or so following marital problems with his pop star wife Cheryl, has come under fire before at grounds across England. But booing in general has been a feature of the new Wembley, and Bevington added: "Unfortunately, we are all aware that we have had problems of this kind since we have come back here.

"That is why Fabio Capello stressed before the game we needed the crowd with us. The supporters yesterday really got behind us for the vast majority of the game, and there was a great atmosphere during the first half in particular."

While the FA would have preferred the widespread booing at half-time – following a goalless opening period – had not taken place either, the governing body can see the difference. "We accept fans are entitled to express their opinions and views on the team's performance – it is part of football," added Bevington. "But booing individual players does not help."

Football Supporters' Federation international co-ordinator Kevin Miles insists only a minority of England fans booed Cole – but he also defended their right to do so.

Miles, who was at Wembley, said: "I hardly heard it, though I was aware of it. It seemed to be a minority. People have obviously paid their money and have every right to express their opinion. However, I personally believe once the team have gone out there and are playing, fans should do what they can to try to improve or support what they are trying to do.

"I can't imagine a situation in which a player being booed every time he touches the ball, no matter what mistake he has made before then, is going to feel more confident or lifted by the experience."

Ferdinand and Capello were both incredulous over the mean spirit among some of the crowd. "Everyone is human, and people make mistakes," Ferdinand reasoned. "We are big enough to hold our hands up when we have made a mistake, but it is not made any easier when you have got your own fans booing you.

"A lot of the fans did try to clap Ashley, and I think you've got to rally round as players and supporters when anyone makes a mistake. I am sure those people who booed on reflection, when they sit at home, will be a little bit ashamed of themselves – and they won't do it again."

Asked how Cole was bearing up yesterday, Ferdinand said: "Ashley's fine. He's an experienced player and he's been through ups and downs in his career so I'm sure he can deal with this, no problem.

"It was just a minority of fans who started booing, and it was the immature ones that went the wrong way. I hope those fans will be swayed by the more knowledgeable ones and respectable fans that were there on the day."

Capello added: "I couldn't understand the crowd booing Ashley Cole after he made a mistake.

"It is possible for one player to make a mistake. It is very important that the crowd help him and do not boo him."

Capello will, of course, be keen to shrug off the controversy surrounding Cole and focus on Wednesday's qualifier against Belarus in Minsk, where the England team can expect a much stiffer test than Kazakhstan offered on Saturday.

The Italian said he cannot determine the tactical make-up of his team, and from there the personnel, until the fitness of John Terry is determined. England do not leave for Minsk until tomorrow, but Terry would be expected to push his suspect back through at least one decent training session to deem the flight worthwhile.

Yet Capello's willingness to give Terry every chance suggests the manager is not entirely convinced by Matthew Upson, who edged Joleon Lescott for a starting berth at the weekend.

"I hope John Terry will be okay," said Capello. "We have a bit of practice to do and after that we will decide."

Ten points from 12 would be a satisfactory way of concluding the 2008 qualifying schedule, especially as Ukraine and Croatia ground out a goalless draw in Kiev – a result that played right into England's hands, given their own triumph in Zagreb. However, a little bit of history beckons because England have never before opened a World Cup qualifying campaign with four straight wins.

Victory would allow England to take a stranglehold on Group 6 before the resumption of hostilities in March, when Ukraine visit Wembley for what will be a crucial meeting that would go a long way towards landing a place at South Africa 2010. But Capello is taking nothing for granted, even if Belarus' most notable player, Alexander Hleb, is a major fitness doubt.

"It is not going to be easy," continued the England manager. "Belarus are a very good team. I have seen them three times, and they played very well on each occasion. They are very organised with good forwards. They are a dangerous side."