Fab(io) News! Now let’s talk.

I wrote this last week. I had it finished. About John Terry, racism (alleged) and what a mess we seem to have got ourselves in. Fabio then stirred it up forcing a re-write. Kenny Dalglish on Monday - with more of his supportive comments for Suarez – and so re-write number three. And today, just as I am about to publish the post, Fabio steps it up another level.

 By the time you read this, who knows what developments will have happened.

One good thing to come from all these twists and turns is that we’ve brought the whole racism in football thing screaming out from underneath the carpet where Sepp Blatter tried to kick it last year. The FA have tried for years (since 1993) with their support for the “Kick it Out” campaign, but have we made any real progress?

Stiffer penalties for supporters and ejections from grounds for racist abuse are sometimes heard of. But when someone can stand amongst a crowd at a Premiership ground, clearly making racist gestures, seemingly without challenge from those around him, then we’ve gone wrong somewhere.

When a player can be found guilty of a racism charge by the FA and then have the full and public support of his club, then something is wrong. And don’t get me wrong here, I’m not bashing a particular club because of my loyalties – I’m bashing MY club, for good reason. I sat and felt horribly uncomfortable watching Kenny Dalglish defending Luis Suarez on Monday, as he said again that the player should never have been banned. This is a club I support and they are challenging me.

So what of John Terry, England Captain and alleged racist? A lot has been made of the fact that it is only an allegation at this stage. So we should let him lead England at the Euro championships? Then he gets found guilty afterwards? The England Captaincy is a hugely public position.
What if this was another public servant – say a teacher? A teacher charged with racism. In your child’s school. You’d be crying out for suspension wouldn’t you?

There is absolutely NO WAY that John Terry should be leading the England team while he is alleged to have committed this offence.

For once, the FA seem to have acted decisively and this has troubled Capello enough for him to leave. As he hadn’t made the move himself to drop Terry then it had to happen.

Despite the ugliest mess in football for some years, we appear to have finally brought the subject out for discussion – it’s no longer just words on a badge or poster. It’s a real problem. We shouldn’t be in a situation where racist abuse from a lout on the terrace (or in the posh seats) can go unchallenged. Let’s grab this opportunity – maybe it’s been a taboo subject for too long, easier to ignore or pay lip service to. Well now it’s well and truly out in the open, let’s grab this chance and once and for all, Kick Racism Out.