Change must come from the top

CHRIS CALLS FOR TOTAL INCLUSION

CHRIS HUGHTON insists until there are black and Asian figures at the very highest levels, racism will never be booted out of football.

Hughton’s Brighton side face Chelsea at the Amex Stadium tomorrow, with the visitors in the spotlight over the behaviour of their supporters.

The Londoners suspended four fans this week after Manchester City star Raheem Sterling was abused during last Saturday’s 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

Police are still investigating allegations of racial abuse and the club also issued a statement on Thursday condemning antisemitic chanting at their Europa League game against Hungarian side MOL Vidi, in the latest shameful episode involving their fans.

Hughton is the only black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) manager in the Premier League.

And in the week that FA chief executive Martin Glenn announced he was leaving his post at the end of the season, Hughton believes there needs to be a rethink at the very top of the game.

“Unfortunately there are always going to be racial incidents in our game, which we are trying hard to eradicate,” he said.

“You hope it is something that does not escalate, but sometimes when times are hard it becomes more prevalent. Racism holds no place in our game, or our society.

“What I have always talked about is inclusion in our game, and inclusion means management at the top level, at board level.

Banning

“And if I am looking at the FA and Premier League, it is that type of inclusion at the top level.

“I have spoken on many occasions of a lack of black managers at the highest level. What would be good for our game is total inclusion.

“It’s what everybody wants to see. Clubs are doing all they can, and credit to them.

“If there are incidents anywhere, the clubs are very quickly on to it, banning supporters deemed to have made racial comments.

“They are very much on top of what they see. But it’s making sure that, if we are talking about eradicating something from our game or society, it’s about a culture, and making sure we are in a position where people are respectful of all colours and creeds.”

On the pitch, Hughton’s team lost their first game in four at Burnley last week.

And he believes Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard is probably the best player in the Premier League at the moment.

“If he is not, then he is very close to it,” said Hughton.

“Not just now, but over a period of time. He is a world-class player who on his day can cause problems to the best defenders in the world.

“It will be about us as a team and about us taking precautions against Hazard.

“Every team has individuals that you know if you give them licence, they can really hurt you. So you have to cope with it as a team.”