I posted an article on here last week as I was disgusted at the racist abuse and violence heaped on the England Under 21 team in Serbia. Now we seem to be having a quiet couple of days before Burnley on Saturday so I thought I would extend the discussion to include the non-support showed by many black footballers last week to the Kick It Out Campaign and the apparent proposal to create a new Black PFU. I can understand people like Jason Roberts, the Ferdinands and others being upset at what happened in Serbia and what happens to a lesser extent in other eastern European countries and on occasion, still, in the UK - and the conflicting sentences handed down to Suarez and Terry for offences with some similarities. However, to throw Teddy out of the pram completely as they have done seems, to me, very over the top, divisive and isolationist in this country where we (the UK as a whole I mean) and France have lead Europe in non-tolerance of racist attitudes in football. Rome wasn't built in a day and in life sometimes you go back a pace after 3 or 4 forwards. It smacks of "If we can't get all our own way then we will play by ourselves". I totally abhor the treatment dished out to black and any other non-white players as described above but cannot accept their actions as doing anything to help the cause. If they continue not to get all their own way will those concerned back out of our league football altogether and set up a Black Football League? Potentially that is the ultimate conclusion of their proposals. Would that in turn mean they only allow black and non-white spectators to their games? I know the Ferdinands have backed off a little today and said they will shake Terry's hand ( I don't know if I would do that as I don't know where it has been - well, we all know one place at least) in the future provided he doesn't trangress again, on the back of the proposed 6 point action plan. However, it would only take some small matter not going their way for them to back track again. Thankfully we don't seem to have this problem at Cardiff either on or off the field but I wonder what views others have on here.
Wasn't sure where I sat with regard to a black players union but having given it some thought I am against it. As far as I am concerned racism is not just about black players although they appear to be the ones targeted the most by the idiot fringe. To make the stand they have is all well and good but the black players must also acknowledge other players of other ethnic backgrounds almost certainly suffer racist abuse. Agreed not to the same extent but it's still there, it should not become about skin colour as racism is more than that. Just saw this on the BBC web site. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20088750 Doesn't go far enough but it's a start.
A black players union is totally the wrong way to go. It is far better to remain in the current organisation and try to change attitudes from within. Also what would happen if some players tried to form a white players union, would they be charged with being racist?
agree totally with this, its counter productive and goes totally against all that we stand for in society that they are threatening a seperate union for black players. what happened in serbia is nothing to do with this country - it seems that its all down to john terry. in my opinion he was punished very harshly - stripped of captaincy, practically forced to retire from england, a huge fine rumoured to be around £500k from chelsea and £220k from the FA, and a 4 game ban. roberts seems a very arrogant individual and i've heard enough of him on the radio that he really isnt a very suitable person to be leading the crusade against racism - apart from millwall, suarez (who isnt even from this country) - and terry, how many incidents are there in this country?? racism is the worst crime a player can commit on a football field and i really dont see why they see they need to take such childish and petulant action.
From what i understand youve got the wrong end of the stick. These players will still be part of the PFA. I believe other unions have similar like the Fire Brigade and Police. This separate part will be available to all those who are open to racism or persecution. Its not intended to be a breakaway union!
Maybe not yet Hilts but should their dis-satisfaction grow then so will their perceived power. I very much hope that is not the case.
Shouldn't be allowed to happen. If a black players union is formed and a white player is not allowed to join, wouldn't that be against the law?
If they feel they need this then as someone who wont be the victim of racism I dont feel I can criticise it. Look at the recent cases. Serbia - it seems they deny wrong doing. Suarez / Liverpool - fans and from what ive seen the vast majority back their player. Terry/Chelsea - Chelsea fans back their player. At the moment are the PFA doing all they can do? I dont know and I dont know if this organisation if it comes of is necessary. But if these players think there is a need I cant see how I can criticise them.
The events in Serbia show how much progress has been made in this country in recent years. Yes, there is obviously a long way to go but fight from within the players union and the FA, not form a splinter group. What comes after a black players union? A black FA? Isn,t the whole kick it out campaign about one game, one community?
We don't know if that would be the case but it would make an interesting test. Anyway what we really need is stronger action from the players union and the FA when individual cases of racism ocurr. The John Terry four game ban is a joke. Stronger action should also have been taken by Chelsea.
Are we talking of a union for black players or a black section in the main union ? Either way I'm against it, you can't be seen as equal if you have a special dispensation based on sex, colour or creed. I've fought against racist all my adult life, from the anti apartheid demonstrations against the WRU and MCC back in the '70's to the Anti-Nazi in later years.
Its a section of the main union. From what I understand its for those affected by racism , persecution.
By definition a "black players union" is racist as it excludes all others based on skin colour. I also disagree with the Jewish parliment, Black police federation and any other group that decides it should have a seperate voice in the UK. Their are institions in place to deal with all aspects of life that are inclusive, if people choose not to use what's in place then so be it but to then promote an exclusive club is divisive.
But thats what ive been saying. It wont exclude people on colour. It hasnt even been formed or named yet. Whatever your ethnic backround you will be able to apply. (this is what ive been led to believe) By the way im not for it or against it.
Absolutely agree with all of this. Edited some of my spelling mistakes, I know it's a tad anal, orignal post still has the mistakes.
Hilts, I know you are saying the same, just expressing my view. But the proposed title would seem to exclude non-black players. If what you believe they are proposing then it would be a break-away union nothing more. On the same point what leverage would a "black players union" have over the current union when dealing with football related matter? Sorry, no room for another players union, especially if Roberts is their mouthpiece, stick with the current set up and pressure the FA to take effective action for all racist offences. Saw this on the BBC web site. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20088750 posted it earlier and the Serbs have done a little but now UEFA & FIFA can also act. International bans are not really a deterent it should be a blanket ban so they cannot play for their clubs, this will never happen as clubs will then not allow their players away for internationals but that's another debate.
We as human beings should fight against all forms of elitism. My believe is that at men/women are equal no matter of sex, sexual orientation, faith, colour or creed. If you want special dispensations or the like you are practising elitism. A very very good family friend said to me more than once "because I'm black I don't want to be special I want to be equal" Edit There was/is very few colours in the Rhondda and even less in Maerdy where I grew up, my fathers best mate was black he was for a long time a merchant seaman but after many years became a miner. He loved that, he was a miner not a black miner but a miner, equal at last. As the years go on you remember thinks that ment little at the time all I can say is I miss my father and I miss his best mate.
Great comments and views guys. Shows we can be serious on here and have a proper debate. As you can guess from my original post I am against any extra union or sub division of the existing PFA for the reasons others have stated. I am also against "positive discrimination" in the work place. For me it is always the best person who should have the job regardless of sex, race etc and special cases should not be made. P.S. I don't support MOBO awards either. We don't have MOWO awards do we? That would be seen as racist wouldn't it?
This is all a bit Wolfie Smith to me. So Power to the people, and all that. Let them do what they want ultimately they will and i think it will be to the Black players detrement.
