ELREC: Time to tackle racist abuse

 

Paul Pogba missed a penalty and was subjected to racist abuse that alarmed especially those associated with football. His club has expressed “disgust” and said that it will continue to support the #AllRedAllEqual initiative. The club also stressed that it will take action against those involved. Pogba’s team mate Rashford has said that, ‘Enough is enough’.

Edinburgh and Lothian Regional Equality Council (ELREC) has worked with the law in dealing with racism. As Chair of ELREC, I can inform the public that the Board and staff are working to reduce racism. Racism in football is totally unacceptable because it encourages racism outside the stadium.

Phil Neville said that the football community should “send a powerful message” and boycott social media for six months in response to this rise in racist abuse.

Pogba was the third player to receive racist abuse within one week. Twitter said that it is aware of racism in the media and has taken action by permanently suspending a series of accounts for violating their Hateful Conduct Policy. The Professional Footballer’s Association (PFA) will meet Facebook to discuss the problem.

Trade Unions have asked social media to work to control  racism. If this is not done someone will get seriously hurt and racism will continue to spread from the stadium to the community.

Racist language should not be tolerated inside and outside the stadium. Racist laws that apply outside the stadium should apply inside. Racism online should also be subjected to race relation laws … racism is unacceptable and must not be permitted to damage  players or our National game.