FOOTBALL: Kick It Out chairman Herman Ouseley hit back at claims in Rio Ferdinand’s autobiography yesterday, saying the anti-racism body deserved better than to be his “punchbag.”

Ferdinand said he had refused to a Kick It Out shirt because the “group refused to come to the courtroom” with his family during the John Terry race row.

Ouseley said: “I just want to put the record straight. We had someone there with the family in court every day — Anton Ferdinand’s club (QPR) wasn’t there, his union wasn’t there every day, but we were. Was Rio himself even there?”

RUGBY LEAGUE: Widnes prop forward Phil Joseph will swap his rugby boots for boxing gloves in the off season as he takes the first step towards becoming a professional fighter.

Vikings head coach Denis Betts said: “I’ve given Phil permission to get involved in the boxing as we believe it will enhance his performances on the rugby league field.

“Phil is passionate about boxing but understands that his priority lies with the Vikings and being involved in helping push the club forward even more next season.”

FOOTBALL: Manchester City fans blasted criticism from wealthy former United players Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand yesterday over jibes at a lack of atmosphere at the Etihad on Tuesday night.

Both ex-Reds raised the low attendance — at 37,509 it was 10,000 short of capacity — for City’s Champions League tie against Roma, which ended 1-1.

“He is living in his own bubble there,” said Andy Savage who runs MCFCForum.com.

“Some people are living hand to mouth and don’t know where the next penny is coming from, and he’s criticising them for not filling the stadium when the tickets are £35-plus.

“The cost of living is going up, so many people are out of work. Football is not everyone’s priority, like it used to be. People just can’t afford, over the course of the month, to pay for tickets three, four or five times.”

ASIAN GAMES: Indian boxer Sarita Devi cries as she refuses her bronze medal yesterday in protest at her points loss in her semi-final.

Devi pummelled opponent Park Jina but the South Korean was controversially awarded the win. Devi also lost an appeal against the decision.

She twice refused to wear the medal before approaching Park and trying to hang it around her neck.