Lifetime bans aren’t enough for racists
Birmingham star’s fury after team-mate is targeted again
BIRMINGHAM’s Andre Dozzell has called for stronger penalties for fans who racially abuse players after his team-mate Juninho Bacuna was targeted for the second time this season.
Towards the end of the Blues’ match at West Bromwich Albion, Bacuna reported to officials that he had heard a racially- charged remark from the Halfords Lane stand at the Hawthorns.
West Brom said they would give their full support to West Midlands Police, who are investigating the incident.
The standard punishment dished out by clubs to fans who racially abuse players is a life ban, though such sanctions can be difficult to enforce, and are rarely imposed across the board, meaning the fans in question can still follow their teams away.
‘Everyone has come together and has shown support for Bacca,’ said Dozzell. ‘But there is no room for that in the game so hopefully it will be dealt with. I don’t think the punishments are harsh enough, they should be bigger.
‘For it to keep happening in this day and age is a disgrace. It should be more than a lifetime ban from watching football. It wasn’t nice and this is not the first time. We’re a tight group and we’re all supporting him.’
Last October, Bacuna was racially abused by a home fan as Blues beat Huddersfield at st Andrew’s and chairman Tom Wagner promised a lifetime ban for the individual.
During sheffield Wednesday’s match against Coventry at Hillsborough in January, Coventry’s Kasey Palmer accused supporters of racist abuse. A man was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and released on bail, south Yorkshire Police said. When the sides met again in the FA Cup, Palmer was booed. They tackle each other in a fourth- round replay at Coventry tomorrow.
Birmingham later released a statement which Bacuna posted on his Instagram story. It read: ‘The club can confirm Juninho Bacuna reported an incident of racism to the referee, David Webb. This will be included in the official’s match report and the club will assist the FA, the EFL and the authorities accordingly.
‘Birmingham City thanks the West Brom stewards, security and executive team who acted immediately and the issue is now with West Midlands Police. The club offers its full and unwavering support to Juninho.’
The incident concluded a tough few days for West Brom. Last weekend their home defeat in the FA Cup by Wolves was overshadowed by fan violence that saw the game suspended for 39 minutes.
Thankfully there was no repeat on saturday, though matchwinner Andi Weimann made the foolish decision to goad Birmingham fans after the final whistle. Weimann used to play for Blues’ rivals Aston Villa and claimed he had been targeted by the travelling fans. But given what had happened a week earlier, it was crass.
He said: ‘Football is an emotional game, so if they give it to me I deserve to give it back.’
WEST BROM 1 BIRMINGHAM 0