Applause for Sterling after abuse shame

DAVID MOYES has condemned the culture of “heavy abuse” suffered by players and managers in football, and joined calls for the game to take tough action.

The former Manchester United boss praised Raheem Sterling for his restraint in dealing with alleged racial abuse from a spectator during a match at Chelsea last weekend.

But Moyes spoke of his fears that the game could face ugly incidents in future.

“There is no place for racism in football or in society,” he said.

“Naively, it seems, I thought there had been improvements within the game.

“Football has tried to change but more is obviously needed.

“I admire Raheem Sterling for challenging us on this. Racism and homophobia is not acceptable and it must be dealt with.”

Moyes believes action is also required on vicious personal attacks when they occur.

“I think players and managers accept football abuse,” he said. “But you need a really tough skin.

“It’s Liverpool v Manchester United today and I don’t think there will be nice comments to the United players.

“The United players will expect that, just as it will be the same when Liverpool players go to Old Trafford.

“But there is another level, where players and managers are getting heavily abused.

“Sometimes it can really affect you and sometimes people will crack. You go back to what Eric Cantona did and recently Patrice Evra going into the crowd in Marseille.

“As human beings you can be fine and think, ‘I’m not biting’. But something can send you over the top.”