PLAYERS’ chief Gordon Taylor feels the protests against Kick It Out are ‘‘misguided’’ but acknowledges questions need to be asked about the way the anti-racism campaign is being presented with so many PFA members clearly unhappy.

Numerous players decided not to wear t-shirts in support of Kick It Out during this weekend’s Barclays Premier League matches, including Ferdinand brothers Rio and Anton and Reading striker Jason Roberts.

Roberts said he would not be wearing a Kick It Out shirt after becoming frustrated by what he perceived as the group’s lack of action over racism.

Asked for his reaction to the issue, Taylor, whose union are one of the bodies which partfunds Kick It Out, said: ‘‘I feel to some extent it’s misguided and I feel it’s quite disrespectful of people like Herman Ouseley, who has spent a lifetime fighting racism. Also on the trustees we have people such as Paul Elliott and Garth Crooks.

‘‘This is a lobby group, it just seems odd to aim their attention at a group, albeit supported by the FA, and the Premier League as well as the PFA, whose job it is to try and send out a message against racism.

‘‘So it is quite a concern, I can understand the frustration with the events that have been in place but the fact is Kick It Out is not the disciplinary body.’’ The protests have raised some issues that Taylor admits need looking at.

He said: ‘‘Clearly there’s a great deal of unhappiness in the way they (Kick It Out) are presenting themselves and we’ve got to ask serious questions.

‘‘The money we give is six figures from the PFA. We are a democratic union and if some members feel that’s not being used to best effect, then we’ve got to look to change it and make sure we respond to those feelings or look for another method of eradicating racism from our game.’’ The PFA insist players are entitled to take a stance over the matter and had earlier defended Rio Ferdinand in the face of possible sanctions from United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson described Ferdinand’s decision not to wear the t-shirt as ‘‘embarrassing’’ and promised to ‘‘deal with it’’.

PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle said: ‘‘We will definitely monitor the (United) situation very closely and make sure Rio Ferdinand’s rights as a human being, never mind as a footballer, are not undermined.

‘‘Everyone has a right to free speech – just like you can’t coerce anyone into shaking hands, you can’t make somebody wear a T-shirt – although I do personally believe that joining in with the campaign is the best way forward.”

The York City centre-half believes communication is key and urged Ferguson to follow the examples of Reading boss Brian McDermott and Newcastle manager Alan Pardew in allowing Ferdinand to explain the reasons behind his decision.

It was the declaration of Roberts that he would not be wearing a Kick It Out shirt after becoming frustrated by what he perceived as the group’s lack of action over racism that earned a rebuke from Ferguson.

Carlisle added: ‘‘There are two sides to this one.

‘‘First of all, Sir Alex Ferguson’s unwavering support for the Kick It Out campaign is commendable and what we all want to see but you can’t vilify or coerce any individual for making a stand.

‘‘This shouldn’t be seen as an element of control or defiance – just like Sir Alex Ferguson said when he was talking about Jason Roberts in his first interview. He doesn’t know the reasons why this stand is being made and what we should do first of all is hear those reasons and listen to them and take them on board.

‘‘Sir Alex Ferguson said he was embarrassed and that is because of the statement he had made but Brian McDermott and Alan Pardew said they had entered into dialogue with their players and listened to the reasons for them making their stand.

‘‘So I would sincerely hope that Sir Alex Ferguson now speaks with Rio Ferdinand and asks him why he wanted to make that stand and hopefully supports the position he is in.”