Racist fans’ clubs should be banned
■ I am an ardent football supporter and I really think it is about time the FA took the hardest line against these vile and filthy racist comments.
The solution is easy – all players off the pitch immediately and a three-match ban straight away for clubs whose fans are engaging in this foul behaviour.
Once a club starts losing points, hopefully fans and players alike will soon get the message. It is totally unacceptable.
Sandra Hyatt, Cheltenham, Glos
■ The rise of the right wing Football Lads Alliance is a reminder of how Mussolini used the sport in the 1930s as a vehicle to peddle hatred.
Sadly our football authorities appear to be entrenched in denial and they are failing black players here and abroad. Governing bodies must act with a clear plan to stamp out racism in the beautiful game because their platitudes are shamefully inadequate.
Eric Thorpe, Salford, Gtr Manchester
■ If the FA truly wants to stop racism they need to give the referee more powers. If a player complains of racism from the crowd, then the ref should be able to demand to a representative of the offending team’s supporters that it stops. If it doesn’t, then the stadium should either be cleared or the other side should be declared winners. This isn’t without parallel, in that if a team is reduced to seven players through too many red cards then the ref can declare the game forfeit.
John Shale, Wigan, Gtr Manchester
■ Well done on your campaign to give racism in football the boot. These vile people must not be allowed to bring the sport into disrepute. The FA needs to take tough against racists, some of whom have links to nefarious far right groups.
They must be rooted out of football just as soccer hooligans were in the 1980s. It is shameful our black players are still being subjected to this kind of bigotry.
Dave Martin, Birmingham
■ If football clubs did more to advertise the phone number to report racist behaviour during match days, fans could covertly text a seat number or row number and stewards could check it out and eject the perpetrators.
Also, if racists realised fans around them could get them ejected they would probably modify their behaviour.
It is difficult for individuals to confront the racists alone.
Liz Wimbrdge, Runcorn, Cheshire
■ The football authorities need to take much tougher stance against racist behaviour at games.
It should not be up to the players themselves to speak out, although some like Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling do – and do it very well. Punish the club and the fans – this is the only way to kick racism out of football for good.
T Eggerton
South East London