Ryan Bertrand has given his support to the Premier League’s No Room For Racism campaign after revealing his own experiences of abuse.
Southampton defender Bertrand fears racism may never fully be eradicated but believes football has an important role to play because it is a diverse sport and can also get a strong message across.
But Bertrand, who has won 19 England caps, recalled his first experience of racism as a youngster in London and still struggles to believe people like that are in society.
Bertrand, 31, whose side face Everton on Sunday, said: “I think was about seven years old. I was living in Bermondsey and I think I was walking to a shop. A car drove past and some adults shouted out racist words.
“It stands out in my mind, a car full of adults racially abusing a seven year old kid as it drives by. At that time I didn't think of it too much to be honest. I just didn't understand them and I was very confused.
“But, if you do think of it, it's a bit mad, that these people are out there. That's why I think this togetherness we're all showing, it will eradicate it and what we're propagating with the education from the kids up and from the adults down, is necessary.
“The importance of combatting racism is everything I think, for life. You know, not just even sports, for life. It needs to be eradicated. Will it ever be eradicated, fully? Probably not.
“It's such a big world but as long as we can stay proactive about it and keep trying to educate people and to show right from wrong, that's what needs to be done.”
Bertrand is taking part in the Premier League campaign and filmed a video for the Premier League which will be made available to all primary schools in England and Wales through the Primary Stars programme.
He believes education has a “massive” part to play and says racial stereotyping, subconscious bias and also the example parents set to their children.
Bertrand added: “I think it's not going to be an overnight fix. It's about consistent support programmes. And you know it isn't about fixing the racism that is here now, it's about fixing the racism of tomorrow. You only filter that out if you educate the youth.
“While it's about educating the youth, it's the parents, also. Parents need to be careful with what they say behind closed doors. When you have kids, they pick up on things that we don't think they're picking up on.
“I think kids are really smart. If parents slip into the subconscious bias and the stereotypical slurs that may happen – not in public, but behind closed doors – the kids will pick up on that and repeat it at their level.
“I think it's the subconscious racism that you really have to attack. And that's where the stereotyping of racial profiles will come from.
“It's probably not they're actually racist within, or at the front of their minds saying they're a really racist person. But, subconsciously they don't even know they have the racist principles within them.
“I think just listen. If someone has a friend who's experiencing racism, whatever race they are from, I think just listen to them. Understand them, and understand that you know it's not right either.
“If you are willing to go on to be successful or you want to better your life, it's important to be able to engage with other races, religions, people, egos.
“It's important to be able to adopt and have empathy for a lot of different people. You're going to need to be able to mix with a lot of people from different races and religions.”
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