Will Brewster’s bravery make UEFA act at last?
ONE can only hope the voice of teenager Rhian Brewster succeeds where so many well-intentioned sermons have failed, in making UEFA and the wider football authorities revisit their attitudes towards racism.
Brewster, a member of England’s Under 17 World Cup-winning squad yet to make a senior appearance with Liverpool, says he can already recall seven incidents in which he has been on the receiving end, or heard, racial abuse during a game.
He cites the behaviour of opposing players in matches against Spartak Moscow — home and away — and Sevilla. And at 17, Brewster is already cynical about UEFA’s interest in the problem.
Brewster made his doubts and opinions plain in an excellent interview with the
Guardian. His disillusionment is a worrying trait in such a young man and UEFA have to take heed.
Part of the problem is that football has never wished to meet racism head on. There is still a wait for a referee’s report, then a drawn- out process. It is as if they hope it will just go away. Brewster’s most recent complaint — against Spartak captain Leonid Mironov — is still in UEFA’s pending tray and it happened over three weeks ago. Other similar complaints have been dropped or unre -
solved. Throughout, the accused continues to play and punishment differs wildly.
It could be resolved along standard HR rules. Complaint, investigation lasting no more than a week with the accused suspended; charge, or otherwise, again no more than a seven- day timescale; verdict and statutory punishment if guilty. Punishments should be draconian, a proper deterrent.
This could then become the blueprint for all racial abuse prosecutions across domestic leagues. That Liverpool should feel moved to complain about Spartak, only to then have to do the same thing after the home tie, shows that whatever punishment exists, it’s no deterrent.
Brewster also admitted that after the most recent incident, he had to be restrained at the final whistle. He did not even make a complaint, convinced nothing would come of it. He has a point. And we have all heard the cliche: prove your point with your football.
But that isn’t enough. A citizen may have a lovely life, but if he is attacked in the street, he still wants the assailant brought to justice. Brewster may be able to run rings around Spartak, but that doesn’t compensate for racial abuse.
Yet, something must. And, as the comedian Reginald D Hunter points out, if there is a word that causes a person to lose his mind, that word and the person saying it, has control. An argument — or a match — being won is surrendered, because the trigger brings on a loss of reason. By rising above it, Brewster keeps control, and using his skill and intellect, he wins.
That is easy to say, but everything about Brewster’s words suggests integrity and intelligence. He has every right to be angry, but equally he knows what he must do. And if he does that, they can’t beat him.