Football must do even more to combat racism, insists Hughton

CHRIS Hughton has reiterated his calls for more diversity in coaching, board rooms and in charge of the sport’ s governingbodies in order to help tackle racism in football.

The Brighton manager (right) believes football clubs are making every possible effort but said greater inclusion is required if they are to be completely eradicated.

Last weekend police opened an investigation into alleged racist abuse aimed at Raheem Sterling by Chelsea supporters at Stamford Bridge, while fans of the club were also accused of an- ti-Semitic chanting against Hungarian side Mol Vidi in the Europa League on Thursday night.

“Credit to all the clubs, if there are incidents anywhere I think they are very quickly on that and are banning fans who make racial comments,” he said. “They are on top of what they see.”

But Hughton, whose side host Chelsea tomorrow, stated in a new book to mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of Kick It Out that football will only overcome the problem of racism if there is a black chairman of the FA, and he maintained that stance by demanding greater inclusion at the highest level.