Christie: Racist slurs ignored

CYRUS CHRISTIE says black players are reluctant to speak out when they have been racially abused because disciplinary action is rarely taken. The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland defender is also concerned that the case involving Mason Holgate has set a dangerous precedent because the Everton player was investigated for historic, homophobic tweets after alleging that Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino made racist remarks to him. Christie, who was trolled on social media after Ireland’s 5-1 World Cup play-off defeat by Denmark, said: ‘The police were on it but whether something will get done or at Mason Holgate. They go through his tweets from the age of 15 and 16 and that gets dealt with quicker. So they have set a precedent there. A lot of the black lads have had racial comments come their way but not a lot has been done about it and you feel that it’s almost normal.’ Seamus Coleman captains Ireland today in his first international since a tackle by Wales defender Neil Taylor broke his leg a year ago.