Liverpool players are backing a major new anti racism initiative.
The Times have launched a manifesto which wants a fundamental change in how football’s authorities tackle racism and discrimination.
It calls for authorities to take specific action to ensure that there are more black and minority ethnic people in senior positions in football, for consistent and meaningful sanctions for racist and discriminatory behaviour, as well as for social media and the media to be more responsible in stopping discrimination.
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Already Anfield trio Trent Alexander-Arnold , Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Daniel Sturridge plus former Reds boss Rafael Benitez have all signed to register their support.
Key points of the manifesto are:
● More BAME people in senior positions running the game. There is a currently a pitifully small number.
● More consistent and suitable punishments for racist and discriminatory behaviour with an education action plan part of the sanction.
● Players never to be sanctioned for walking off the pitch if racism is happening.
● Social media and media to take more responsibility.
● Sponsors to be sought to promote anti-racism programmes.
● Authorities should always enforce the three-step protocol.
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Piara Powar, the executive director of the European anti-discrimination network Fare, said: “Football is going through a pandemic of racism, there is no doubt we are seeing a more poisonous environment at many matches and in football culture online.”
