Fizzing Jamie Carragher brands Rio Ferdinand a 'CLOWN' as Man Utd legend told 'stop playing to the gallery'

Raging Jamie Carragher has branded Rio Ferdinand a CLOWN after the Manchester United legend waded into the African Cup of Nations row.

Liverpool idol Carragher, 45, sparked controversy on Sky Sports at the weekend by appearing to downplay the significance of the tournament. Debating Mo Salah's chances of winning a Ballon d'Or, Carragher said after the Reds' 2-0 win at Man City: "I think the problem [is] the fact he's with Egypt, and he's probably not playing in the major tournament as such or maybe got a great chance of winning, I think it's either the Champions League or the major tournament [that influences who wins the Ballon d'Or]."

Carragher's comments have triggered a widespread backlash from pundits and fans in the world of football alike. And Ferdinand became the latest high-profile figure to take aim at Carragher after former Sky presenter Richard Keys labelled the ex-defender "unforgivably ignorant".

Speaking on his Rio Presents podcast, Ferdinand said: "I think that comment is representative of the majority of the people out there. But I don't think that's right. It's an ignorant thought process. If you go to Didier Drogba, Abedi Pele, Samuel Eto'o, Riyad Mahrez, Mo Salah or Sadio Mane, they'll tell you, 'We have to win this' - it's a demand in their countries to win this.

"Yes, it doesn't get backed resources-wise like the Euros, etc, but that doesn't mean you have to devalue it. It's a continent of huge power. A continent that contributes to European football through players massively. It should be respected more than it is. I understand what Jamie's saying but I don't agree with it. That's the majority's fault, if we're honest, and it's not right.

"I think the federations like FIFA need to make sure they