Rio Ferdinand has found himself at the centre of a fierce online backlash after describing himself as a “man of the people” while living in Dubai, a jurisdiction where residents pay no income tax.
The former Manchester United defender, now 47, relocated to the Gulf in August with his wife, Kate, and their children.
His remarks - made while serving as one of FIFA’s presenters for Friday’s World Cup draw in Washington DC - triggered immediate accusations of hypocrisy from supporters who pointed out that he no longer contributes tax to the UK system.
Dubai’s appeal for high-earning expatriates is well known.
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The emirate levies no personal income tax, no tax on salaries or wages, and no capital gains tax.
Wealthy foreign workers can therefore retain their full earnings, paying only consumption-based charges such as VAT at five per cent.
Because Ferdinand is tax-resident in the UAE, he is not liable for UK income tax unless he receives taxable UK-sourced earnings - a central reason critics have seized on his claim of being aligned with ordinary supporters.
Rio Ferdinand and his wife, Kate Ferdinand, recently moved to Dubai
|GETTY
The controversy began when BBC reporter Dan Roan asked Ferdinand whether ticket prices risked excluding fans from next summer’s expanded World Cup across the US, Mexico and Canada.
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.”
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Winners of the last five World Cup finals | PAHe added that organisers “have to be conscious” of affordability, insisting: “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.”
Fans were unimpressed, however.
Typical responses included: “Man of the people whilst sunning it up in Dubai dodging taxes,” and: “Man of the people; living the king’s life in tax free Dubai and tmrw taking the FIFA shilling working as part of the draw team. Nice one Rio.”
Another wrote: “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.”
Many pointed out that he no longer contributes to UK funding for “schools, hospitals and pensions for the elderly.”
The debate comes as FIFA faces further anger over dynamic ticket pricing for the 2026 tournament. Group-stage seats start at $60 (£44.69), rising to $6,730 (£5,013) for the final — although prices may fluctuate depending on demand.
Rio Ferdinand was recently pictured at the Qatar Grand Prix
|GETTY
A FIFA official explained: “We will adapt prices as per the demand we see, as per the remaining inventory... We do not intend at all to change prices every five minutes.”
England supporters are expected to feel the impact sharply, given the likelihood of heavy travelling numbers.
Ferdinand will be central to Friday’s star-studded draw.
Away from work, he continues to split family life between Dubai and England, where sons Lorenz and Tate - from his first marriage - remain as academy players at Brighton.
Last month he defended his relocation, citing quality of life, safety and schooling.
“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,” he said. “Lifestyle, safety, weather and just a new life. I wanted a new chapter.”