Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has revealed the extent of the abuse he suffered while playing in the English Premier League.
Speaking as part of a special documentary to be screen on the BBC this weekend, the retired France international called back to his time playing for the Gunners and what he had to put up with.
Following a spate of incidents across European football, the 41-year-old has called upon his own experiences to demand a zero tolerance approach to racism and discrimination in football.
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Most recently, the authorities in Italy decided against sanctions against Cagliari over abuse suffered by Juventus forward Moise Kean earlier this season.
England internationals Callum Hudson-Odoi, Danny Rose and Raheem Sterling were targeted by fans of Montenegro in March with monkey noises aimed at the trio from the stands.
“I had my things also back in the days on the field," said Henry.
"I remember playing away, taking the corners, and people were spitting on me. I would go and see the ref, and you can see, you could see all the [spit]. And he said: 'Go on, get on with the game.'
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"Why the ref is not calling the game off? If something happens to the referee you can stop the game. I think if anything happens to any player on that field, regardless of colour, you should also stop the game.
“People that are there, the big guns, [must?] come out and say 'If that happens again, we stop the game.' People know who walks into those stadiums and do the thing that they're doing. People know.
“It's always us talking. What about the people that are, that are up there? The big guns running things. What are you saying about it?
"Not those €2,000 euro fines and what-not. Come on. If you really want to do something about it, do something about it. Regardless of the colour or religion. I'm not only saying black players. For everybody.
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"Come, be strong, and zero tolerance. That will be zero tolerance. But do they?"
The full documentary, A Royal Team Talk: Tackling Mental Health , will be shown on BBC One on Sunday May 19 at 10:30pm.
Parts of Henry's discussion with BBC Sport presenter Dan Walker and Gareth Southgate, Price William and others will also be aired as part of Saturday's Football Focus on at 1pm on BBC One.
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