LEAGUE FEAR GLOBAL RACISM STIGMA

THE Premier League fear the two recent racism rows that have rocked English football are damaging their global brand. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Raheem Sterling have been at the centre of controversies, prompting doubs about just how tolerant English football really is. The League swiftly released a statement condemning the Sterling incident at Stamford Bridge when he was allegedly racially abused by a Chelsea fan. But a story that dominated sports media has been hardly visible on the Premier League’s own website. Sportsmail understands the PL’s in-house programming have kept reports to a minimum in what seems an effort to minimise any negative backlash. In-house coverage of the north London derby on December 2, which saw a Tottenham fan hurl a banana skin at Arsenal striker Aubameyang, did include a discussion on the incident. They also reported on Sterling but not to the same extent as independent broadcasters. It is understood there are concerns the incidents are having an impact on the way the Premier League is perceived around the world. The League have done some excellent work in the past in fighting racism, yet there is an acknowledgement behind the scenes that much more has still to be done. A spokesman said: ‘If anyone is found to have racially abused a Premier League player they deserve to be punished. We will support any action taken by the club or the authorities.’