Racism in football

[SemperEadem]

Yeah I noticed our black players did not wear the t.shirt either.

[Guest ttfn]

Fergie Jnr will be ripping his hair out at his player who fouled our player running away from goal in the 90th minute.

Was it a racist foul?

[Guest ttfn]

Can't wait for ferdinand to retire and just **** off out of the public eye forever. He really is one of the biggest tossers in sport. If he thinks he can do better than those campaigners then maybe he should join them and show them how to do it. Instead he sulks like a petulant spoiled little child. Aww rio, you're so hard done to aren't you likke baby. Surely one of the most pathetic victimisation complexes in the entire history of the world. I hope when fergi says he'll be dealt with he means he'll deal with it by ending his career.

For the most part I have admired his stance on racism.

But I can't help but feel that he has jumped the shark on this one. The rate of progress that has been made, and continues to be made, in eliminating racism in football in this country is absolutely remarkable.

Completely agree that Ferdinand should be embracing the campaign and doing his best to actively direct it in a helpful direction if he feels like it has gone somewhat off-course.

[RonnieTodger]

I noticed that our black players (and Futacs) didn't wear the Kick It Out t-shirts today.

[Corky]

Yeah I noticed our black players did not wear the t.shirt either.

I'm sure Morgan did, and gave it to the fans.

[Jon the Hat]

If Rio didn't want to wear the T shirt that is his call. Ferguson should shut up really, what a twat.

[Tielemans63]

I'm not sure that showing your frustration at the devaluation of a worthy cause by devaluing it further is a particularly wise move.

If the players feel KROOF aren't doing enough then fair enough but surely there's a more constructive way to address the problem?

[Finnegan]

There probably is but they're professional footballers, not veteran campaigners, I'm not sure they can be expected to come out with the perfect solution. They are, at least, drawing attention to the issue and we're discussing it now.

[21st Century Fox]

Chelsea's stance on racism....

Chelsea – standing by their captain for his "out of character error of judgment", 12 months after celebrating their record on fans' racist abuse: "Chelsea believes all forms of discrimination are abhorrent and have no place in society… We work hard on educating our fans – and we will continue to do so."

• Other key lessons from Chelsea in the past two years:

July 2011: Offering advice to Malaysia's FA after Yossi Benayoun was abused. "Chelsea is committed to eradicating discrimination and urges the MFA to take steps to stamp out this type of behaviour. We accept their apology. The matter is now closed."

Apr 2011: Asking fans to help with life bans. "Chelsea is proud of its record on tackling racism. If anyone hears racist chants they should report it to a police officer or steward, or you can text anonymously. Please try and note the stand, row and seat number of the person as well as their physical appearance, height and build."

Sept 2010: Defining their zero-tolerance approach. "Several people have been prosecuted and banned. We will not hesitate to do so again."

Latest progress in Uefa's fine-based war on racism:

• 11: years between Lazio revealing that fans who unveiled an "Auschwitz Is Your Homeland, The Ovens Are Your Homes" banner were a "racist minority who will be dealt with", and last week's latest €40k fine from Uefa.

• 11: months between Uefa fining Bulgaria €40k for fans racially abusing England players, and Bulgaria fans racially abusing Denmark players. Denmark's Daniel Wass: "We knew it would happen. We were expecting it."

The AFC, Asia's governing body, apologising after their website listed the UAE national team's nickname as "the sand monkeys". "Our editor saw it on a popular online encyclopedia. We are sorry for the offence."

[Daggers]

A black-only players' union seems to be tackling the issue in the wrong way, to me.

[Darkon84]

A black-only players' union seems to be tackling the issue in the wrong way, to me.

Exactly, it will just divide further and create a 'them and us' mentality again.

[breadandcheese]

A black-only players' union seems to be tackling the issue in the wrong way, to me.

It may well be (I don't know if it is or not) but I can completely understand why some black players feel the need to set-up a black union.

If I was black, I would see the situation as follows:

- John Terry used racist language on the field of play (whether he is racist or not is a different debate, but he used racist language).

- We are constantly being told there is a zero tolerance approach to racism and racist language.

- It takes a year to investigate, in which time John Terry is free to win the European Cup and represent his country at the Euro's, so suffering no punishment.

- It turns out that the FA's investigation could have run whilst the criminal investigation was ongoing, so the original statements from the FA that they couldn't investigate and discipline Terry whilst there were criminal proceedings was rubbish. This allowed Terry to play in the Euros, whereas Rio was dropped. If Terry had been banned, would Hodgson have taken Rio for his experience? Quite probably.

- By the time Terry is finally punished, it is a paltry 4 match ban, hardly a deterrent and certainly not much of a punishment as the ban is punctuated by European Cup games, in which he is able to play.

- Throughout the whole year long incident, Terry displays no humility, no apologies, declares his innocence and in the end, it is he who quits England, a rather combative approach resulting in a derisory punishment.

- The punishment of 4 games is set because he only used the term once, whereas Suarez apparently used it more than once. This is not zero tolerance.

- In that time, how have the PFA dealt with the situation? Should they have not pushed for a tougher ban.

- Then there is the issue in Serbia, which shows that racism is still a problem in other countries. At the moment, we don't know what punishment UEFA will hand out, but the track record is weak, giving a larger fine to Bendtner for displaying an unauthorised advertising logo, than for racist behaviour.

So all in all, as a black player you could feel let down by the football authorities and the union that represents you as a player, because you feel no-one is fighting your corner when it comes down to incidents like this (however rare they are) hence you feel the best way is to setup a body that can push for you.

Racism in football has come a long way since the 1970s and 1980s, but I can understand any black player saying that in today's society, they shouldn't have to tolerate any racist language. When there is racist language, they would expect the authorities to fight their corner.

[brockmyster]

Im sorry but setting up a black players union is completely wrong way to do it. If White players did this it would be seen as a form of racism no doubt but people not really mentioning it this way around. It will set up us vs them and just completely ruin the modern game imo

[Samilktray]

The way white people are always saying "if white people did this it would be racist" about every single thing coloured folk do, never fails to amuse me.

[Haydos]

The way white people are always saying "if white people did this it would be racist" about every single thing coloured folk do, never fails to amuse me.

It fvcks me off too. There would never be a white players' union here because we're not a minority. Such a stupid fvcking saying.

The point that it only serves to segregate even further still stands though. The system needs an overhaul. Recent events have proven that the FA can't handle situations the way it is currently. There should be a revised set of rules and a no tolerance approach. Ferdinand and whoever else involved are tools as well for inciting this Black Players Union crap.

[Bettsj2]

Im sorry but setting up a black players union is completely wrong way to do it. If White players did this it would be seen as a form of racism no doubt but people not really mentioning it this way around. It will set up us vs them and just completely ruin the modern game imo

Is the thought of a black players union not because some black players feel the white players union already exists?

[Bert]

Is the thought of a black players union not because some black players feel the white players union already exists?

This is a good point.

My take on it is that it shouldn't happen mind, imagine the uproar if there was officially a white players union created?

The media make things just as bad if not worse. For instance, last night they had to point out JT was wearing an armband with "unite against racism" on. Everyone knows what's gone on, so why couldn't they just let it lie? It's been settled by the court and the FA now.

If they keep shoving things like this in our faces, some people will continue to think that's its acceptable, or to make jokes about such things.

[Bettsj2]

This is a good point.

My take on it is that it shouldn't happen mind, imagine the uproar if there was officially a white players union created?

The media make things just as bad if not worse. For instance, last night they had to point out JT was wearing an armband with "unite against racism" on. Everyone knows what's gone on, so why couldn't they just let it lie? It's been settled by the court and the FA now.

If they keep shoving things like this in our faces, some people will continue to think that's its acceptable, or to make jokes about such things.

Agree completely. The JT thing turned into a complete farce. We all know what he said, he admitted he said it so the context around it doesnt really matter. As with Suarez, they should have just banned him straight away and job done. Why spend a year pissing about?

That year gave the media the chance to swarm all over it and kick up a shitstorm.

Regarding the union thing, it aint gonna happen so again, no point everyone jizzing over it.

[ADK]

Am i the only one that thinks calling someone a racial slur isn't such a big deal?

Sure it should be frowned upon and deserve a short suspension but it's just name calling really.

[Guest MattP]

Pretty much the same mate but society demands people to be as hysterical as possible over most things now.

If people think footy is bad they wouldn't survive on a Cricket pitch.

[Guest MattP]

A black players union would only cause further division.

The Rooney Rule is insulting to black people, it makes it look like they are incapable of doing it themselves. If anyone says "it's worked in the NFL" tell them it's bullshit, guys like Lovie Smith, Tony Dungy and Mike Tomlin would have been employed and it's insulting to say they wouldn't.

The fact the Ferdinand brothers will now work with the FA, PFA to discuss the laws of the games shows what a joke it has become.

What price the South African rules in before too long?

[Nick]

Is the thought of a black players union not because some black players feel the white players union already exists?

Is that what they are going to rename the FA as?

[brockmyster]

Is the thought of a black players union not because some black players feel the white players union already exists?

I wouldnt say it exists id just say its a bunch of useless twats who wont hand out big punishments due to it being the so called 'star' players that are offending, I mean come on did anyone really expect the FA to properly back anton ferdinand over Terry, who has been an england player for so long etc

[Guest MattP]

I wouldnt say it exists id just say its a bunch of useless twats who wont hand out big punishments due to it being the so called 'star' players that are offending, I mean come on did anyone really expect the FA to properly back anton ferdinand over Terry, who has been an england player for so long etc

But surely the FA can't take sides while a court case is pending?

[breadandcheese]

But surely the FA can't take sides while a court case is pending?

The CPS had no issue with the FA instigating its own disciplinary procedures.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/9621302/Delay-in-John-Terry-decision-taken-by-FA-alone-says-CPS.html

The fact that the FA at the time said they could not instigate investigations and disciplinary proceedings until after the criminal case, has now been shown to be false. No wonder Rio Ferdinand is p*ssed and wondering whether having a black union pushing the FA, might have sped up the disciplinary issue.