England youths ‘suffered racism’ in final
Liverpool and England striker Rhian Brewster says one of his team-mates was racially abused during the nation’s Under-17 World Cup final victory earlier this season.
The striker – star of the youth tournament – has chronicled a series of incidents in which he and colleagues were targeted with racial slurs, two while representing his country.
The Football Association made representations to Uefa and Fifa regarding the allegations. They are still awaiting a response from the world governing body.
Brewster says Wolves teenager Morgan Gibbs-white was abused by a Spanish player during the final in October. “As Morgan was running away, he [a Spain player] has called him a monkey,” Brewster told The Guardian. “It was a goalkick and I was getting into position. ‘Morgan,’ I said, ‘did you hear that?’ He said, ‘ Yeah, yeah, I thought I was the only one.’”
The Liverpool youngster says he was also abused during last May’s Under-17 European Championship in Ukraine. Despite representations it was determined there was lack of evidence to take action.
While on club duty, there have been numerous incidents during the Uefa Youth League, Spartak Moscow twice being investigated by authorities. Brewster says he was abused during the home fixture with Sevilla in September too.
Last month there were angry scenes as Brewster had to be held back by team-mates at the final whistle following the home meeting with Spartak, which was held at Tranmere’s Prenton Park.
“I got fouled. I was on the floor. Their player leaned over me, right down to my face and said, ‘Suck my d---, you n-----, you n-----’.
“I didn’t even want to put in a complaint. I was walking down the tunnel swearing, ‘F--- the system, it’s not going to do anything’. Obviously you have to [make a complaint]. But if something is ever done about it, that’s another story. I told Steven Gerrard [Liverpool’s Under-19 coach] what happened and we made a complaint there.
“I don’t think Uefa take this thing seriously. They don’t really care. That is how it feels anyway.”