Post by Macmoish on Feb 6, 2012 23:08:30 GMT
It's like uncovering a rock and what you see underneath...
TELEGRAPH/MArk Ogden
PFA chief Gordon Taylor insists crowd abuse must not deter black players from standing up against racism
Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, has urged black players to keep faith with football’s battle against racism after admitting that abuse directed at Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand in recent days has been a “backward step”.
Manchester United defenders Evra and Ferdinand have been subjected to booing and derogatory chants in fixtures against Liverpool and Chelsea respectively in the wake of high-profile allegations of racism on a football pitch.
Evra’s treatment at the hands of Liverpool supporters at Anfield last week after he accused Luis Suárez of racist abuse during October’s Premier League fixture led to widespread condemnation of the Merseyside club’s fans.
And Chelsea supporters have also been criticised for singling out Ferdinand for abuse during Sunday’s 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge, seemingly because Chelsea captain John Terry is awaiting trial after denying a charge of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, the United player’s brother.
But with the prospect of black players being fearful of a negative reaction following any future allegations of racist abuse, Taylor insists the game should not allow a climate of fear to develop that prevents footballers going public on abusive remarks.
“There is a fear that anyone who comes out and makes a complaint will receive this backlash and puts off anyone else,” Taylor said. “People have got to be strong and believe what they are doing is right and stand up against racism.
“The big thing with the likes of Patrice Evra is that he has become a victim because he has made a complaint.
"The last thing we want is black players to feel there is no point making a complaint because they will then suffer a backlash. It is like that with a lot of other issues on equality, like homophobia.
“There is an element of abuse now coming into crowds and it is not always easy to control that. There has been a backward step of late.”
Taylor insists, however, that suggestions of football regressing to the 1970s, when racist abuse was more prevalent, are misplaced.
“People are saying it is a return to the bad old days and I don’t believe that.” Taylor said. “In the bad old days, there would not have been the level of discussion that there is now.
“There are some excellent campaigns and I don’t want people to think all the progress we have made in the last two decades has been wiped out. I don’t want any black players to feel that has all been for nothing.
“The very fact it is so high up the agenda and taken as seriously now is a situation that just wasn’t the case many years ago.
“It is something we believe in at the PFA and will continue to press onwards with. It is bigger than any player or club or the game itself.”
www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/9064731/PFA-chief-Gordon-Taylor-insists-crowd-abuse-must-not-deter-black-players-from-standing-up-against-racism.html
TELEGRAPH/MArk Ogden
PFA chief Gordon Taylor insists crowd abuse must not deter black players from standing up against racism
Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, has urged black players to keep faith with football’s battle against racism after admitting that abuse directed at Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand in recent days has been a “backward step”.
Manchester United defenders Evra and Ferdinand have been subjected to booing and derogatory chants in fixtures against Liverpool and Chelsea respectively in the wake of high-profile allegations of racism on a football pitch.
Evra’s treatment at the hands of Liverpool supporters at Anfield last week after he accused Luis Suárez of racist abuse during October’s Premier League fixture led to widespread condemnation of the Merseyside club’s fans.
And Chelsea supporters have also been criticised for singling out Ferdinand for abuse during Sunday’s 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge, seemingly because Chelsea captain John Terry is awaiting trial after denying a charge of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, the United player’s brother.
But with the prospect of black players being fearful of a negative reaction following any future allegations of racist abuse, Taylor insists the game should not allow a climate of fear to develop that prevents footballers going public on abusive remarks.
“There is a fear that anyone who comes out and makes a complaint will receive this backlash and puts off anyone else,” Taylor said. “People have got to be strong and believe what they are doing is right and stand up against racism.
“The big thing with the likes of Patrice Evra is that he has become a victim because he has made a complaint.
"The last thing we want is black players to feel there is no point making a complaint because they will then suffer a backlash. It is like that with a lot of other issues on equality, like homophobia.
“There is an element of abuse now coming into crowds and it is not always easy to control that. There has been a backward step of late.”
Taylor insists, however, that suggestions of football regressing to the 1970s, when racist abuse was more prevalent, are misplaced.
“People are saying it is a return to the bad old days and I don’t believe that.” Taylor said. “In the bad old days, there would not have been the level of discussion that there is now.
“There are some excellent campaigns and I don’t want people to think all the progress we have made in the last two decades has been wiped out. I don’t want any black players to feel that has all been for nothing.
“The very fact it is so high up the agenda and taken as seriously now is a situation that just wasn’t the case many years ago.
“It is something we believe in at the PFA and will continue to press onwards with. It is bigger than any player or club or the game itself.”
www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/9064731/PFA-chief-Gordon-Taylor-insists-crowd-abuse-must-not-deter-black-players-from-standing-up-against-racism.html