Let’s give racism a red card now
■ IF you look back in history, Mussolini used football as a vehicle to peddle his hatred in the 1920s, and shamefully Neville Chamberlain’s Government ordered the England football team to give the Nazi salute before a game against Germany in 1938 to appease Hitler.
So, sports’ pundit Gary Neville is right, if intransigence on this subject exists in the highest echelons the beautiful game will be left in a nasty place.
Castigating other footballing nations for inaction then sitting on the fence ourselves will never solve this wicked situation. We need action and we need it now.
Eric Thorpe, Salford Greater Manchester
■ I’m not shocked by the racism in football crowds. Since Brexit, racism appears to have become more pervasive in society, and the rise in hate crimes, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia is alarming. Both Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn were accused of racism during the election campaign, so hitting football clubs with fines for racist behaviour of supporters, in my opinion, won’t solve anything. As a society, we must reject racism – only then will it be eliminated from crowds at sporting events.
Terry Marriott Waterlooville, Hants
■ Frank Lampard isn’t wrong to blame the racism issue on bad parenting. (Mirror, Dec 26) I think poor parenting is the cause of many of society’s ills, including anti-social behaviour and violence. Many children are literally dragged up by parents who don’t care or who simply aren’t available for whatever reason, and if they don’t attend school regularly then they aren’t learning necessary skills to become a decent member of society.
The problem is more widespread than just football.
G Morley, York
■ Racism in football is a by-product of the failure to tackle racism in society in general. It must be tackled by identifying and punishing those fans responsible, while players should leave the field in protest.
I don’t think banning clubs or closing stadia is the answer as this only punishes the majority of decent fans. Ultimately, society must rid itself of this virus with zero tolerance and that must mean any politicians found guilty of adding to the problem being made to stand down. Stand up for football and shout the racists down.
Collin Rossini, Dovercourt, Essex
■ There has been racism on the terraces for decades but at last football clubs are prepared to show racism the red card.
That is very good news indeed and with Boris Johnson in 10 Downing Street we need all the good news we can get!
Derek McMillan, Durrington West Sussex
■ There should be big notices at the entrance to all football grounds saying if there is any racist activity the match will be stopped. It wouldn’t be long before the racist abuse stopped.
Elizabeth Owen, Skegness, Lincs
■ Those so-called fans who shout racist abuse at players bring shame on the beautiful game and must be banned for life. There must be zero tolerance for racism in football grounds or anywhere else.
Mick Timothy, via email