Desailly's call to players

By Luke Williams

One of the highlights of Wednesday's 'Unite Against Racism' conference, organised by UEFA, the pan-European Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network and the English Football Association (FA), was hearing the opinions of players past and present at a special 'Question and Answer' session hosted by former footballer and broadcaster Garth Crooks OBE.

'Stimulate debate'
In introducing the session Crooks said that it was intended to "stimulate debate and provoke arguments," and it certainly achieved its objective as a range of opinions were expressed with important points of consensus also emerging.

Players in attendance
On the podium alongside Crooks were Arsenal FC and England defender Ashley Cole, Chelsea FC and France star Marcel Desailly, Chelsea and Italy playmaker Gianfranco Zola as well as former Pisa Calcio and Chelsea defender Paul Elliott. This quartet were joined by Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein and Daniela Conti of FARE and UISP (The Union of Italian Sport For All).

'Hard to get through the game'
Cole spoke about his feelings when he was racially abused by Slovakian supporters at a UEFA EURO 2004™ match last autumn. "It was hard to get through the game," he said. "We had to just carry on and try and block it out. Everyone that was on the pitch heard it." The 22-year-old added that the support of his team-mates during and after the game had helped him through the incident. "People like [David] Beckham stood up and said it can't happen any more, something has to be done about it," he added.

'I don't think deducting points is the answer'
In common with many of the other participants, Elliott felt that  racist behaviour by supporters should not necessarily lead to sporting sanctions. "I don't think deducting points is the answer," he said. Zola expanded on this point when he added: "I disagree that, because of 200 racist people, a side should be penalised. It gives them control. It would be better to make them feel what they are - idiots."

'It's about education'
Dein voiced the opinion that the perpetrators of racist behaviour should be directly targeted for punishment, while also remaining adamant that clubs should also take responsibility for the actions of their fans. "There is no place in football for hooliganism or racism," he said. "It's about education, it starts in the home, in the schools."

Social projects
The philosophy that education is the best tool in the fight against racism was given further credence by Conti, who described some of the work she is involved with. "Repressive measures are not a measure to combat racism," she said. "The best way is with social projects, education projects. In Rome, we tackle it at the grassroots."

Players have a role
Desailly, who was abused by an opposing player during a match at EURO 96™, argued that players had a key role to play by offering an example to fans through how they conduct themselves on the pitch. "We should be an example to young people and show the right example – that of respect. It is unacceptable, for example, that national anthems should be whistled. I can’t believe that people are so conscious of race. In sport you find Algerians, Africans, north Africans, English, Argentinians. We can show that a black guy can play with a white man."

Elliott optimism 
Elliott, who has long been involved with anti-racist campaigning was optimistic about what the future might hold. "I'm pleased to report that there's been tremendous progress," he said. "But there can't be any room for complacency. I welcome this level of debate, but most important of all is implementation. Football's not responsible for society's problems but it's up to football to take responsibility for its problems and get its house in order."

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