Recurring racism is simply depressing

IT’S just so utterly depressing, isn’t it? After all of the campaigning, the patient arguing with unrepentant bigots, the heartbreaking testimony of victims and multiple concerted attempts to change minds among the mindless, football is still having to ‘deal with’ racism. By that, we mean the beautiful game is being forced to tackle — again — a societal problem that has resolutely attached itself to the sport. Rangers handing out indefinite bans to the supporters guilty of racial abuse directed at Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi at least sends out a strong message. But we can’t just let this become one more incident. Shouldn’t merely add it to a long list of previous outrages and hope that, this time, the penny drops. There was a real sadness about Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou having to address this ugly issue so soon after arriving in Scotland. And the Australian cut to the heart of the matter when he declared: ‘It’s not about education. People are more than aware of what is right and wrong — just be a decent human being and treat people with respect.’ Postecoglou’s words, like the terse Rangers statement dealing with the offenders, drew widespread praise from all corners. One question, though. How many of those joining in the condemnation of one particular type of racism will gleefully — even proudly — give vent to prejudice of a slightly different hue during Sunday’s meeting between Scottish football’s Big Two? We hope for the best. But fear the worst. Depressing, indeed.