Post by QPR Report on Nov 6, 2008 17:52:34 GMT
CAMPAIGNERS CALL ON ECCLESTONE TO QUIT QUIT
By Mike McGrath, PA Sport
Anti-racism campaigners have branded Bernie Ecclestone's comments on the racist abuse of Lewis Hamilton as "shameful" - and called for the Formula One chief to leave the sport.
Ecclestone described the antics of some spectators wearing wigs and dark make-up at pre-season testing in Barcelona last February as "a joke" and told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I don't think it was anything to do with racism."
Hamilton, the first black driver in Formula One history, has refused to trivialise what happened and Paul Elliott, ambassador for European campaigners FARE, has gone further to question whether Ecclestone should be in the sport.
The former Chelsea defender told PA Sport: "The comments are shameful and disgraceful. Lewis Hamilton has made a colossal contribution to the country and the sport, and the sport has a duty of care to protect him and his family.
"Bernie Ecclestone is not fit to be in that environment and he should resign.
"There has to be zero tolerance. However successful he (Ecclestone) is, it is clear he is out of touch with the 21st century. It is totally out of order, unacceptable and he should move over."
Elliott feels Hamilton should work under the same laws as the rest of the country, where racism is not tolerated.
"Hamilton should be working in a racism-free environment, as should his father," he added.
"He has a right to be protected.
"Ecclestone is an investor in QPR Football Club, who have a diverse support. What are their players thinking now? If they got racial abuse, would he say that is acceptable in the modern game?"
By Mike McGrath, PA Sport
Anti-racism campaigners have branded Bernie Ecclestone's comments on the racist abuse of Lewis Hamilton as "shameful" - and called for the Formula One chief to leave the sport.
Ecclestone described the antics of some spectators wearing wigs and dark make-up at pre-season testing in Barcelona last February as "a joke" and told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I don't think it was anything to do with racism."
Hamilton, the first black driver in Formula One history, has refused to trivialise what happened and Paul Elliott, ambassador for European campaigners FARE, has gone further to question whether Ecclestone should be in the sport.
The former Chelsea defender told PA Sport: "The comments are shameful and disgraceful. Lewis Hamilton has made a colossal contribution to the country and the sport, and the sport has a duty of care to protect him and his family.
"Bernie Ecclestone is not fit to be in that environment and he should resign.
"There has to be zero tolerance. However successful he (Ecclestone) is, it is clear he is out of touch with the 21st century. It is totally out of order, unacceptable and he should move over."
Elliott feels Hamilton should work under the same laws as the rest of the country, where racism is not tolerated.
"Hamilton should be working in a racism-free environment, as should his father," he added.
"He has a right to be protected.
"Ecclestone is an investor in QPR Football Club, who have a diverse support. What are their players thinking now? If they got racial abuse, would he say that is acceptable in the modern game?"