Ex-SAFC captain hits out over racist incidents

Former Sunderland legend Gary Bennett has blamed a lack of education for a recent spate of allegedly racist incidents on the terraces.

The 57-year-old, who played for the Black Cats more than 350 times, reacted after Raheem Sterling was allegedly abused by fans as his team, Manchester City, played Chelsea on Saturday.

Bennett, an ambassador for the Show Racism the Red Card campaign that tackles racism in football, questioned the thought process of ‘so-called fans’ who openly abuse players.

The incident at Stamford Bridge has sparked a large reaction on social media and came just a week after a banana skin was thrown onto a Premier League pitch.

The former defender, who now commentates on Sunderland games for BBC Newcastle, said: “It’s regarding education. You want to know the reasons why spectators or supporters who go to watch a game of football are so aggressive and abusive to black people.

“The so-called fans, they’ve got black players in their team. How do they see them?

“Racism in football hasn’t reduced. I think if you look back now there is a lot more incidents that have been raised over the last week or two.”

Four Chelsea fans have been suspended from attending games at Stamford Bridge following the game at the weekend. Investigations are said to be ongoing.

Bennett, who was born in Manchester, added: “You think you’re making strides in the right direction but it just goes to show that we’re not, we’re going backwards if anything in this day and age.”

Bennett said that the problem of racism in sport will take a long time to eradicate and that the media has a key role to play in ensuring that both black and white players receive fair coverage.