This is obviously for the scholars amongst us. I noticed that the TV news, papers and the various statements (especially the original from Chelsea FC) have been very careful in stating that the inappropriate language used by Clattenburg was "racial" in parts. Note that the word racist is not used. What is the difference between racial and racist language? Suarez and Terry have been accused of racist comments.
I can only assume it has something to do with "racist" language being derogatory towards someones race, where as "racial" language is referring to some ones race. For example referring to someone as black would be racial, and referring to some one as a black ****, would be racist. My guess anyways.
This. Racial means referring to race. Racist means making negative statements or inferences about someone's race. Either way, it's only the media who do this. The FA Commissions were very clear to never claim Suarez or Terry were racist, and in fact both of them explicitly stated that they believed both Suarez and Terry were not racist. All the FA said was that they used offensive language and that included references to race. It's the papers who like to pull stuff out like "racist abuse" and "racially abused". Either through lazy journalism or through trying to stoke the controversy to sell a few more papers.
