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SPORT We must all play a part in removing scourge of racism

Colm Hickey in tackling racism in football, and the challenges that remain.” However, RAHEEM STERLING, the victim he warned that “further progress is of racial abuse during Manchester unlikely to be made until governing Macclesfield Town's manager Sol Campbell – The former England City’s recent defeat by Chelsea. said bodies are bolder in their efforts to defender is one of only nine black managers in the 92 football league he “had to laugh” when he heard eradicate racism from every level”. clubs just ten per cent of the total Picture: PRESS ASSOCIATION the alleged racist remarks during He concluded: “The governing bod- the game because he expects “no ies, including the FA . . . must do better”. He referred to newspaper more to promote methods of report- headlines about two team-mates. ing racism and they must listen to One about Tosin Adarabioyo (who supporters’ demands – clubs or coun- is black) is that he spent £2.25 tries whose supporters are racially million on a property “despite having abusive should face harsher sanctions, never started a Premier League including points deductions.” matchÚ, while the other on Ben Fo- This has everything to do with den (who is white) is that he “buys each and every one of us: managers, a £2 million home for his mum” coaches, players, or supporters bec- and has [wisely] “set up a future”. ause we are humans. Kick it Out rec- Sterling said: “You have two young eived 520 reports of abuse last season Catholic family run Funeral players starting out their careers – the black, Asian and minority ethnic with 53 per cent being reports of both play for the same team, both managers in Football League history racism and reports of homophobia Directors for over 230 years buy a new house for their mothers never got a second job. up by nine per cent. The charity’s . . . but look at how the newspapers That racism is a societal issue can head of education, Troy Townsend, get their message across for the be seen with regard to education. said: “We are at our most worrying young black player and then for the UCAS (the university admission serv- period of time within the game . . . young white player. I think this is ice) has found that ethnic minority These figures should be a sharp re- unacceptable . . . this young black students are less likely than white minder that we are not as far as for- kid is looked at in a bad light, which students to be offered university places ward as maybe we thought.” The helps fuel racism.” with the same predicted A-level grades), problem is at grass roots level as well Sadly, Sterling’s treatment is only employment, (a 2009 study found that where discrimination reports rose the tip of the iceberg. When Sol job applicants with a “white-sounding” by 35 per cent. “The problem at grass- Campbell was appointed manager name like Andrew Clarke were 74 roots football is it’s un-policed,” he of Macclesfield Town last week he per cent more likely to get an inter- added. “A lot of perpetrators at that became one of only nine black man- view than those with “black-sound- level are getting away with it, inc- agers in the 92 football league clubs ing” names like Anthony Olukayode), luding people watching and parents.” just ten per cent of the total. Yet the and crime (black men are three times The John Paul II Foundation for percentage of black British players more likely than white men to be Sport has a programme for schools in the Premier league in 2017-18 arrested). If we are to change football which focuses on eight values: Toler- was 33 per cent up from 16 per cent we must change society. ance, Forgiveness, Humility, Justice, when it began in 1992. No one will admit to being a Truth, Dignity Integrity and Service. It could be that in all cases the racist, but people accept that we By focusing on these values we believe best man for the job was chosen and live in a racist society. A recent sur- that young people will grow into that there are more and better qual- vey from anti-racism body Kick It mature and tolerant adults who will Experts in Worldwide ified white coaches. It could be, but Out and football platform Forza play their part in removing the scourge it is unlikely. Since 1990 fewer than Football, included 27,000 respon- of racism from society and sport. Repatriation 25 per cent of retired English foot- dents from 38 different countries The Bible says, in Exodus 22:21: ballers have been black, but only 14 found that 54 per cent of fans globally “Thou shalt not molest a stranger, per cent have gone into management. have witnessed racist abuse, 74 per nor afflict him for yourselves also 24 Hour Service A white ex-England player, is twice cent of fans want FIFA to consider were strangers in the land of Egypt.” as likely to end up in a managerial previous racist abuse when awarding That is the point. We are all strangers job as his black counterpart. Since countries international tournaments. somewhere and we all should be treat- 020 7237 6366 or 1990, just five black ex-England play- In the UK, 54 per cent said they ed with respect. As Mahatma Ghandi ers have gone into management but would support regulations to improve said: “You must be part of the change 020 7313 6920 while 25 per cent of white players opportunities for ethnic/racial mi- you want to see.” It starts with all have been given a managerial job nority candidates applying for jobs of us. Indeed, it starts with you. since retirement, that drops to just ten at football clubs. Lord Ouseley, per cent for black players. Data from chairman of Kick it Out, said: “The n Dr Colm Hickey is the John Paul www.albins.co.uk the League Managers’ Association, research is a timely reminder of II Foundation for Sport’s director shows that almost 66 per cent of all both the progress that has been made of education

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