Sack racist footballers, says Society of Black Lawyers

The Society of Black Lawyers has unveiled a 10-point plan to address racism in football, including sacking those found guilty of racist abuse.

Society proposes plan to Premier League

The release of the plan comes just over a week after referee Mark Clattenburg was accused of making racial comments to Chelsea players, a claim which he denies but which is under investigation by the Football Association and the Police.  

Racial abuse

The BBC reports that the society says Mr Clattenburg should be suspended whilst under investigation, and has also called for matches to be abandoned if there is racial abuse from fans.
The group described measures taken against former England captain John Terry for racially abusing QPR player Anton Ferdinand – a £220,000 fine and four match ban – as a ‘slap on the wrist’, adding ‘The FA itself must set a clear set of sanctions against racist abuse on the field that reflects the seriousness of the offence.’

White Hart Lane

The organisation has also moved to warn the Football Association and North London club Tottenham Hotspur that it will make a complaint to police over what it has described as anti-Semitic abuse at Tottenham’s White Hart Lane stadium.
Peter Herbert, who chairs the group, said: ‘If neither Tottenham FC nor the FA are willing to take a stand then SBL will report the matter to the Metropolitan Police Service for investigation and, if necessary, prosecution.’
A Tottenham spokesperson said: ‘Our position on this topic is very clear. The club does not tolerate any form of racist or abusive chanting.’

Email your news and story ideas to: [email protected]

Top