After a week when John Terry and Ashley Cole hardly covered themselves in glory the West Brom fans booed QPR’s Anton Ferdinand. Why would they do that? Well, after booing they sang John Terry’s name!
It was reported on BBC's Final Score some fans have been singing "there's only one John Terry" at the West Brom v QPR match #bbcfootball
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 6, 2012
"@bbcsport: some fans have been singing "there's only one John Terry" at West Brom v QPR" here and embarrassed to be a baggie @wbafcofficial
— Kate Granger (@kateagranger) October 6, 2012
Racism is still alive and kicking in today’s football and the events of the past year or so shows just how much has to be done. On a weekend where Millwall fans were accused racially abusing Bolton player Marvin Sordell, it is clear the problem hasn't been 'kicked out' just yet.
Surely when a player from Africa, Italy, Wales, England or France puts on the jersey of the club you support then it shouldn’t matter what colour or religion or what his sexual preference is.
Footballers get paid silly money for kicking a ball around; but they do it with skill and pace and a certain guile that we pay silly money to watch. That’s what football is about.
It’s sad that what we are talking about in football are the things that bring the game down to the seabed.
Most football clubs have ‘community links’ within the surrounding area. Giving kids a chance to do what they want to do and feeling not only part of a team but part of a community.
That’s what should be getting the headlines! ‘Local youth in first team,’ is the headline I like reading. It shouldn’t matter what colour he is, if he’s a Muslim or a Roman Catholic or if he likes the same sex; he’s a footballer that has worked hard and his manager and coaching staff believe in him.
Football is global as indeed is racism and religious bigotry, as well as homophobia. I’m not for one minute suggesting stopping banter, it’s a great part of the game, but only if it’s good banter.
At the end of the day it’s about playing the great game of football and keeping it’s good name up; that’s what I hope for and I hope a lot more fans feel the same.
Were you at the game at the weekend? How do you account for the events?
image: © hisgett
Paul Moore
@mooros69more stories from Paul Moore
Father of 7, owner of akickintheballs.webnode.com. Its all about football; going to it, writing about it, talking about it. A QPR fan for my sins! Never easy but that's what football is all about. Known as 'The wig' at Loftus Road. His QPR blog can be found at apaininthersss.blogspot.co.uk.
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