England’s blackstars arebeing ‘letdown’
GARETH SOUTHGATE has been accused of a “dereliction of duty” for not including any black coaches on his World Cup staff.
With the risk of racial abuse in Russia high, questions are being asked as to why the England boss will not have any member of staff able to identify with his black players.
Extensive talks have already taken place between the Players’ Union and the FA over the issue.
PFA Trustee Garth Crooks said: “This is a monumental error of judgment from the England boss.
“He has no idea what he could be subjecting his black players to.
“If Gareth Southgate does not take a Chris Powell or a Chris Ramsey to Russia and our black players are subjected to racial abuse then it is a dereliction of his duty. They need support.”
The FA is preparing to make it mandatory to have black, Asian and ethnic minority coaches for all England teams – but only after the World Cup.
It’s feared the issue of potential racial abuse at Russia 2018 is being taken seriously enough.
As things stand the FA will not allow black players to leave the field of play if they are racially abused in Russia, a country notorious for the problem.
Players are expected to follow a set protocol which includes informing the ref who will in turn speak to the fourth official.