SHAME Ex Prem steward in club row after REFUSING to say sorry for vile race rant

A FORMER Premier League steward got a life ban from a club after ranting on Facebook: “We whites ARE the superior race’’.

Ex-Southampton FC worker Beryl Saunders, 67, posted the racist rant on social media in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.

The retired nurse was barred this week by the club after refusing to apologise or undergo racial awareness training.

Officials were said to have been left “absolutely stunned” by her “vitriol and hateful views” when they rang with the training offer.

They said they had no choice but to turf out the avid Saints supporter for good.

The pensioner riled fans after calling for a statue of Burnley fan Jake Hepple, who paid a pilot to fly a “White Lives Matter” banner.

Under a photo of Mr Hepple with far-right activist Tommy Robinson, Saunders told followers: “This man deserved a pat on the back, what’s he got to apologise for ffs.

“Lets put up a Statue, Don’t apologise for being white. We whites’ ARE the Superior Race.”

Saunders is a former season ticket holder who worked as a steward until 1997. She boasts of representing the club while ushering ex-PM John Major and Princess Anne round on civic visits.

A club source said: “We wanted to try and find a way to educate her.

“But what followed was shocking. She told us that she did not want to return to the club, which is fine.”

At her home in the city, Saunders said it was offensive that players were “kneeling down on my beloved, hallowed turf ” in support of BLM. She also claimed Winston Churchill told Brits they were “the best race” and that slavery gave people “jobs and a roof over their heads”.

And she denied getting banned from the club, insisting: “I said I’d never, ever go up there again.”

Tia De Gannes of BLM praised the club’s stance and said Saunders’ views were

“an abhorrent stain” on football.

Police are reviewing a complaint from equality group Kick It Out. The club confirmed it had issued an indefinite ban, with a spokesman saying: “We work tirelessly to eradicate any form of discriminatory behaviour”.

Players are kneeling on the turf I love... it’s offensive BERYL SAUNDERS BANNED FOR RACISM