UK & World News
- 22 February 2012, 9:59
Cameron Chairing Football Racism Summit
The Prime Minister is stepping into the row over discrimination in football by holding a Downing Street summit involving key figures from the game.
David Cameron - along with the Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt - will host a discussion on divisive issues in the sport.
The FA chairman David Bernstein will attend, along with leading figures from the Premier League, the Football League, the Professional Footballers' Association and the League Managers' Association.
Also expected are former players John Barnes and Graeme le Saux, who earlier this week helped the FA launch an initiative against homophobia.
Le Saux - who is happily married - suffered homophobic taunts from the terraces and admits he believes it would still be difficult for a gay footballer to discuss his sexuality in public.
Mr Cameron is understood to be concerned that incidents allegedly fuelled by racism are damaging the image of the game as London prepares to host the Olympic Games in July.
The meeting comes on the back of several high-profile incidents that have blighted the sport.
Liverpool's Luis Suarez was banned for eight-matches for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra - a row further inflamed when the Uruguayan striker refused to shake the French defender's hand before the televised match between the two clubs at Old Trafford.
John Terry, the Chelsea captain, faces trial over a racially-aggravated public order offence after allegedly directing comments at Queens Park Rangers' defender Anton Ferdinand.
The trial was set for a date after this summer's European Championships but Terry was stripped of the England captaincy - a decision which led to the shock resignation of Fabio Capello as national team manager.
Meanwhile, the Government is also set to announce £3m of funding towards the FA's new National Coaching Centre at St George's Park in Burton.
The centre will put particular emphasis on developing coaches from black and ethnic minority backgrounds.
PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor will join the discussions along with the Football League chairman, Greg Clarke, and the FA's Sir Trevor Brooking.
The Premier League will be represented by its general secretary, Nic Coward, and director of policy Bill Bush.
what do you think?
Richard Maitland
When is Cam going to chair a meeting about immigration, he promised to cut it to tens of thousands, yet still hundreds of thousands are being let in. Does this fool not realise that racism will only get worse, as the people of this country resent more and more foreigners being let in to be used as cheap labour, taking jobs away from the British people. The latest figures prove this is the case. If he thinks he's going to stamp out racism in football he will fail. You need harmony to keep racism at bay, and theres no harmony in football and definately none in foreigners keep taking our jobs.
Edgar Beckett
You didn`t really believe he wanted to cut immigration surely.
Russell Beaumont
This is what comes about when the Country is saddled with stupid race laws that only work one way in favour of violent ethnic minorities.People fully understand this thats why their frustrations boil over at big games. It's about the only place you can now air your true feelings with little chance of prosecution.....May the game last forever.
Name witheld
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Roger Rushkin
Don't you mean 'banter'? 'Barter' is something else - but then you are probably too thick to understand the difference. (Just a bit of banter - laughing it off, no offence to the fact that you are thick!)
Richard Maitland
No Edgar, I did not believe he would make any attempt at cutting immigration, it's to important to the politicians of any party as a tool to keep the country in cheap labour. But I do think we must keep reminding them what liars they are, and that they are not worthy of the positions they hold.
Roger Rushkin
It's an odd thing when racists and bigots blame politicians / immigrants / foreigners for their own ignorance and racism. You are a racist because you are a racist not because someone has 'taken your job' (which is a fallacy anyway) or because of race and equality laws. Ignorant and racists people always blame others (usually non whites) for their own lack of opportunity / skills / intelligence.
Jeffrey Gwynn
You are a rude and ignorant fool, Mr Rushkin.
Roger Rushkin
But I am not a racist. And I don't blame others because I am a) thick, b) in a poorly paid job, c) unable to use English correctly d) full of hate for 'others'. There is nothing more pitiable than the racist.
Roger Siviter
If they are serious about kicking out racism, then why not play English players only in our English teams? Come to think of it, why not keep England for the English only?......No more acts or rants of racism.....Simples.
Ben Ralph
1:10am on 22/2/2012
Surprised there's enough room on the bandwagon for Cameron. You'd think he'd have bigger concerns.