‘Maybe we are alone’: Jude Bellingham questions whether authorities ‘care’ about racist abuse directed at Black footballers
The Football Association has launched an investigation into the recent racist abuse directed at Black footballers.
The abuse, directed at Black players such as Ben Whitworth and Michael Richardson, has been dismissed by the FA as ‘not racist at all’.
But the FA, which is the first major governing body to launch an investigation into the abuse after the recent high-profile attacks, has now confirmed the investigation and is now looking into the issue on a ‘longer term’ basis.
The FA’s report will be made public and the investigation being launched by the FA into the abuse will be supported by the Football Trust and the Equality and Diversity Unit.
The FA will also be working with the other governing bodies, Premier League clubs and the Professional Footballers’ Association. A number of the England teams are already working with the FA and its staff on the issue.
Ben Whitworth was racially abused by a fan during the Championship play-off final yesterday. He tweeted out a picture of the incident, writing: ‘Someone said to me “your hair is a bit long” and he’s a black man.
‘I’m like, “No it isn’t”, I’m a bit angry at myself’
A video of the incident was posted on the BBC’s Sportsound page and has since been shared on the internet.
The fan in the video says: ‘I seen your hair go longer when you come out of that tunnel’
‘He’s a black man’
The FA statement said: ‘The FA has received expressions of concern from the FA Community Trust.
‘It has been alleged that a fan’s comment during the FA Championship play-off final was racist in nature, and that the game referee, Mike Dean, asked another fan to ‘watch your mouth’ after the incident.
‘The FA and the other stakeholders are aware of the comments made by the fan in the FA Championship game.
A statement from the FA on the incident
‘The referee informed both
