Last Nights Sky Sports News Special Report

Focussed on racism in English football. Anybody watch it? If not its available on Sky Go. Some disgusting footage.

Millwall (who I know wont be the only team to have racist fans, unfortunately) were heavily criticised and rightly so. Against Leeds there were 56 accounts of racial abuse from 5 fans, yet no arrests.

There also seems to be a trend of black players stating that they've been racially abused on sites such as Twitter, but not giving a formal complaint. There must be a reason for this, the only one which I can think of is that they feel it simply wont be dealt with.

Only a 23 minute long video, but certainly paints a grim picture of British football, one that I'm glad I haven't experienced yet.

Sadly, as an away fan with City I've heard racist chants. So. the problem seems to be endemic even if it is only limited to the knuckle dragging section.

I still find it astonishing in this day and age that attitudes like this still exist. It is good Sky have brought this to the fore though as consistently telling such chumps they're wrong with banning orders and the like is the only way to yet the message through their extra thick skulls. Now, if only UEFA were willing to back up their words with actions we might actually see an end to it Europe-wide...

Arkay v2.0 wrote:Sadly, as an away fan with City I've heard racist chants. So. the problem seems to be endemic even if it is only limited to the knuckle dragging section.

I still find it astonishing in this day and age that attitudes like this still exist. It is good Sky have brought this to the fore though as consistently telling such chumps they're wrong with banning orders and the like is the only way to yet the message through their extra thick skulls. Now, if only UEFA were willing to back up their words with actions we might actually see an end to it Europe-wide...

I've been away many times over the years and have yet to hear anything. I must be very lucky.

Too much talking about it from FIFA/UEFA with their however many point plans. It seems that the governing bodies think that if they appear to be addressing it then all is well.

But where do you draw the line?

All the city songs regarding England surely is a bit racist? Ah, but its ok because its just a bit of fun, a laugh. I'm sure that's what some of the millwall fans would say too.
I wonder what our English players think of those songs?

If you watch it, there's no fun involved. Its sickening.

Rhys wrote:But where do you draw the line?

All the city songs regarding England surely is a bit racist? Ah, but its ok because its just a bit of fun, a laugh. I'm sure that's what some of the millwall fans would say too.
I wonder what our English players think of those songs?

The English are no more a race than the Welsh. Which doesn't make some of the songs we have acceptable - particularly as many of our players are English. Maybe the difference is that the objectionable racist stuff is targeted more at specific individuals?

I insider the anti English chanting racist, and it offends me. To decide whether you feel it's a joke or not - imagine if I got together with all the other English Cardiff fans and started singing songs making fun of the Welsh, and encouraging everyone to 'stand up if they hate the welsh'. Is that 'a laugh' or insulting?

I always find those songs (as well as the anti-Swans ones) toe-curlingly embarrassing and, yes, it makes me feel for our multi-cultural players.

If I was ever lucky enough to ever play at a high level for an English club and heard anti-Welsh songs from my own support, it would not endear me to the club nor the fans at all (and I am no nationalist). I'd be much more likely to cut and run given the opportunity.

Some say it is the minority and such "banter" is part and parcel of the game and I say - why does it have to be? These are grown men (and women) living in a the modern era singing songs like ignorant, uneducated children. Sport is entertainment and not an excuse to behave like a neanderthal, publicly air your prejudices and be allowed to get away with it.

It is by far the most off putting thing about football for me and drove me away from it for a good five years or so as a teenager, and frankly, harsh punishments - at supporter, club and national level - genuinely seem to the only way to get the message across. Sadly, UEFA or FIFA are yet to grow a pair between them.

In the meantime, I guess I will just have to hang my head in shame every time I hear such stupid songs coming from the City (or any other club for that matter) "faithful".

Aah! The old "English" v "Welsh" element of football rivalry.

"I'd rather be a Paki than a Taff" sung by the choirs at us at Hull sticks in my mind for some reason.
Does it mean more or no less than Manchester fans singing about "Liverpool Slums"?

I have always found chants attacking opposition supporters "Toe Curling" and "Cringe worthy"; I've only ever supported the team and never thrown insults at the opposition fans. It's not why I go to football; but I have seen those who seem not interested in what's going on the pitch and spend all game throwing insults at each other from both sides of the fence.

That's the problem with segregation - it's much safer for cowards to hurl abuse at each other.

I just don't get it.

Sad, really.