Adverts

Racism incidents at Liverpool Football Club

by Garth Dallas

Your name:
Your email:
Your friend's email:
Message:

The recent incidents of racism associated with Liverpool Football Club has been heavily debated nationwide. Here we present the views of two fans - our editor, Garth Dallas and Vinny Tomlinson, former Chair Merseyside Black Police Association.

Garth Dallas (Editor, Diverse Magazine):

"As a huge LFC fan I deliberately reserved judgement on the Suárez case until I felt I had enough information to make an 'informed statement'. I can now say that I categorically support the verdict and the punishment!!

Suárez has not been found guilty of being a racist, because that was not the charge. Rather he was convicted of insulting Evra during the course of an exchange in which, as he admitted, he used the word "negro". The way Evra heard it, the term was used to add weight to the insult.

The panel must have had good reasons for agreeing, while declining to accept the view that there is a cultural context in which the use of such a term – particularly as part of an exchange of abuse – may be acceptable. He (Suárez) had absolutely no reason to make reference to Evra's race in that context and we should understand that 'intention' is not an absolute necessity in cases of racial abuse. The fact that Evra felt abused AND that Suárez admitted making the comment that caused the abuse WERE the major factors in the verdict. In law the concept of 'strict liability' (a person is legally responsible for the damage and loss caused by his or her acts and omissions regardless of intention) comes to mind here....

If the Club had made a strong statement then maybe the Tom Adeyemi incident might not have happened. Those Liverpool fans that racially abused him from the Kop are disgraceful and should receive life-time bans..."

Here is a short interview on BBC World Service 07 January 2012:

BBC World Service interview in relation to Liverpool Football Club and recent racism incidents....

Vinny Tomlinson (former Chair, Merseyside Black Police Association):

Vinny Tomlinson

Much has been said relating to the Luis Suarez/Patrice Evra incident and my overall conclusion regarding the conduct of both LFC and Kenny Dalglish is one of immense disappointment.

It was the 21st October 1978 when, as a 10 year old boy, I first stood on the Kop to watch my boyhood heroes, which included Kenny Dalglish. I have supported LFC for over 33 years and this passion has been passed down to my 3 boys. I have experienced racism throughout my life, from my earliest childhood memories, into adulthood. Therefore my understanding of the damage racism does, extends beyond the theoretical. I have and continue to be an active anti-racism campaigner. I have worked with LFC to assist them to drive home their various laudable community activities and I have seen firsthand the positive influence this can have, particularly on young people. I have sat on panels with former LFC players, such as Howard Gayle, Alan Kennedy, Phil Neal & John Barnes working with ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ , as we addressed diverse groups, ranging from young schoolchildren to teachers.

As I write this, not one single word condemning Suarez has been uttered by the club. Arguments challenging the FA’s verdict have at times sounded paranoid as some fans have stated that, ‘the FA are out to get us’, to ‘Suarez can’t possibly be racist because he has a black grandfather’. All of this amounts to one large smokescreen of denial, primarily motivated by misguided loyalty and ignorance. There is a saying that, ‘It is not who is right but what is right’ and this must prevail. Luis Suarez was given opportunity to put his case. He was given the opportunity to appeal and declined. Due process has taken place and for LFC to still not utter one word of condemnation, yet hint at there being things they cannot say when they could have been said in the appeal, is reprehensible.

The unwavering pre & post (none) appeal support of Suarez has been myopic and the hypocritical stance taken by the club on racism is one which would certainly not dissuade those who wish to engage in racist behaviour. The whole handling of this, not least the fiasco of the Wigan T-shirts has brought it into disrepute, particularly amongst many in the Liverpool black community and no doubt undermined the aforementioned community work in the process.

Many will say it is time to move on, but how can we when Louis Suarez by his own admission chose to refer to the skin colour of an opponent during a volatile and aggressive exchange that some have laughingly tried to explain away as a term of endearment? Many cannot move on until LFC and Louis Suarez et al understand the harm that has been caused both by the actions of the player and the subsequent handling of the incident by the club. Nelson Mandela taught us that in order to reconcile our differences, we must first admit our wrong doing and then apologise sincerely for it. The custodians of my club will need to embrace this, if they are to have any hope of reconciliation.

send to a friend | add comment

rating: 2.8

back

Comments

Name:
Text:

Lee Jasper (14.2.2012, 12:17)

Liverpool Football Club's handling of this whole matter has been an utter disgrace. I consider them to have contributed to an increase in racial tensions nationally and constituted an incitement to racial hatred. There is no pubic recognition by LFC of the abhorrent racism implicit in this case. Their actions have given succour and comfort to racists in Liverpool and throughout the rest of the country. The effect has been to give a " green light" to racist abuse on the pitch and in the stands. Not only has Kenny Dalglish, a man I had previously admired , let down the club, he has let down the vast majority of the people of Liverpool and those of us striving to challenge racism across the country. The apologies were technical lacked insight and understanding and to that extent appeared to me to be both forced by the owners and therefore ultimately insincere. I agree with Gloria LFC and others seem to be deep denial about the real issue of racism. I hope that LFC can be brought to see the error of their ways and that requires both a unambiguous declaration, a statement that demonstrates where they acknowledge they handled things appallingly badly and commits to ensuring that LFC henceforth adopts a zero tolerance attitude to racism . Failure to do so will result in the city of Liverpool living under the shadow of racism.

Gloria Hyatt MBE (14.2.2012, 00:02)

Suarez was found guilty of racial abuse and I am totally confused why people in some quarters are finding that so difficult to comprehend. It not so difficult to make the link that Suarez intended to demean Evra on the basis of his skin colour, period. Those of us who have taken the trouble to understand and know how racial abuse manifests and operates in this city are few in numbers, sadly. Which to my mind is why those who wish to maintain this denial can do so without any real challenge. I am amazed at the not so sophisticated attempts to diminish and undermine the fact that racist behaviour is the issue here. LFC are and should be first in line in terms of accountability regardless of societal influences and other reasons why racism occurs. They are yet to be held to account or show any accountability. An apology has been made, yet still there has been no apology for racial abuse, for refusing to accept that this was racial abuse or for all the dispicable behaviour that has since followed the FA's judgement that indeed there was racial abuse. Until that happens this city and LFC can not even begin to pick up its tarnished reputation or expect that any one with a moral compass will do business with an organisation that is clearly not anti-racist.

Garth Dallas (13.1.2012, 11:59)

Well articulated comments Tom. You are particularly correct in relation to the fact that it's not a club issue, rather a football industry issue. I would even go further in saying that it's a society issue, as football is such a popular sport in this country. Your track-record at your own organistion speaks volumes and provides you with the indisputable qualifications to benchmark LFC's actions against well-developed best practices. Indeed, they need to wake up - and hopefully our strongly voiced comments will act as a wake-up call.

Tom McGuire (12.1.2012, 16:58)

I'm a blue, so can ill afford to be sanctimonious. This isn't a club issue, it's a football industry issue. I have been appalled at the conduct of LFC and the role in this played by its manager. Suarez apparently used the term several times and even if apologists and those who deny by reflex, want to claim there were contextual cultural variables in the matter, there was simply no ambiguity in his intent - he repeated it as many times as he did just to make that very clear. In my organisation, in my industry as in many others, we have a fundamental expectation of standards of conduct from employees. We train them, we develop them, we nurture them to make as sure as we can, they express appropriate views. We spend money and time equipping our employees so they can always present as professionals fit for service delivery in a modern, multi-cultural society. We take them to task if they fall down against the high standards we set. We declare out loud our zero tolerance. We do our best to transform our people into ambassadors of good values. Most of them, I'm pretty sure aren't paid £25-£200K per week in return! I gasped in disbelief at Kenny Daglish allowing his team ( his staff), to go out in public wearing shirts effectively rejecting the accusation of racism. This was at best an act of profound naiivete, at worst a snub in the face of all of those young kids who idolise LFC, who model themselves on their heroes, but who may be black or care about anyone who suffers racism. What on earth does LFC or Chesea or any other club think they are saying to their fans when they behave in this way? - solidarity with your stupid, ignorant mates no matter what they've done, is a higher virtue than caring about all of those others who aren't enjoying their fabulous moneyed, club life. Can't they find a 'diversity' trainer. Don't they have the time. Can't they see that so many of their fans are looking at them aghast. Kenny Daglish and all of the other 'backroom professionals' running this enormous financial, commercial, cultural, public institution, need to wake up. Massive public profile generates income but it also comes with basic responsibilities. Your black and minority ethnic fans deserve a quality of respect you've sadly been found unprepared to offer. Will football managers and players become the new 'bankers' in the public perception? How long will 'joe public' put up with spoilt, self obsessed prima donas flashing their fabulous priviledges in its face? Less long, I bet, if half the audience is basically told - "you don't matter".

Garth Dallas (12.1.2012, 16:15)

Well said Howie!! You are a legend in Liverpool Football Club's history and I had no doubt that you would hold the views expressed!.

Howie Gayle (12.1.2012, 15:46)

In Essence the troubled world of LFC put its self in the spot light again for the wrong reason's. Many Liverpool fans including myself hoped that the club would realise just how sensitive this issue around race or racial comments by Louis Suarez was having an impact not only in Liverpool but also on a world wide stage. I have received phone calls, text messages, and emails from all over the world from fans who are not all Liverpool fans, but who are united in their condemnation of LFC I agree that Suarez isn't racially motivated, but what he said was wrong and this incident and the way that the club has handled it has damage LFC as a Brand and has left many supporters BLACK and WHITE with a bad taste in our mouths. this could set the club back light years.

Adverts

Racism incidents at Liverpool Football Club

Menu: