Fans can help stamp out racism, says Hughton
BRIGHTON boss Chris Hughton wants supporters who abuse footballers to be punished ‘as hard as possible’ and feels social media is helping to tackle the issue.
Hughton’s comments came after Seagulls defender Gaetan Bong was subjected to boos and derogatory chants when he came on as a substitute in Wednesday’s FA Cup fourth-round replay win against
West Brom.
It was Bong’s first return to The Hawthorns since he accused Baggies striker Jay Rodriguez of making a racist comment in January 2018, an allegation which was ‘not proven’ following an investigation by the Football Association.
Some West Brom fans responded by singing the Brighton player was a ‘smelly b******’ and jeering every time he touched the ball.
Hughton believes abuse of players is a long-standing problem, but feels it is becoming easier to highlight incidents and identify culprits.
“As regards what we hear, particularly of late, do I feel that the abuse has got more? Probably the answer to that one is no,” he said.
“With social media these days, it’s being picked up far more and far quicker than it has in the past.
“The negative is that it still goes on, the plus is that it’s jumped upon a lot quicker now. I think there are sections of support that are not prepared to accept it and will recognise it and will report it.
“It’s up to the game as a whole and the authorities to stamp what they can out as quick as possible and making sure the punishments are as hard as possible.”