Brendon Batson fears racism in football will only get worse… and says it’s society’s problem to resolve

Brendon Batson fears racism in football will only get worse… and says it’s society’s problem to resolve
Brendon Batson fears the issue of racism in football is only going to get worse, but insists it is society’s problem to resolve.Batson was one of the leading pioneers in the 1970s who helped break down the racial barriers when he played for Arsenal, Cambridge United and West Brom.4

Brendon Batson has been saddened by the latest ugly high-profile incidents in football

4

Batson, pictured playing for Arsenal, later became part of the famous Three Degrees at West Brom alongside Cyrille Regis and Laurie Cunningham and helped break down barriers for black players

However, the PFA trustee has been saddened by the recent high-profile incidents which are putting a stain on the game.A fortnight ago a banana was thrown towards Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyangafter he scored a first-half penalty in their 4-2 win over arch-rivals Tottenham.Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling was then allegedly racially abused by a Chelsea fan.And speaking at the latest London Baggies event, Batson is not optimistic things are going to improve.He said: I was in Paris when the news broke.“It’s sad we are still having to talk about the issue of racism.Its not going to just go away, in fact I can only see it getting worse.“With that said I do think it’s an unfair burden on football it is primarily societys problem.”4

Raheem Sterling, left, was allegedly racially abused last Saturday at Stamford Bridge

4

Blues fan Colin Wing (circled) claims he did not racially abuse Sterling, but has apologised for the words he did use

Batson recalled the type of abuse he encountered not just on a football pitch, but even at school, on a daily basis as a youngster.He added: When I was growing up in Tilbury as a nine-year old I was called a chocolate drop.“I didn’t know what that meant initially, but one day I was called it at school and my siblings heard and all hell broke lose.For the next four years I was always fighting at school, as were my siblings, as we were constantly pelted with racist abuse – that was the norm.”While improvements have been made in society, and indeed football, in regards to the regularity and severity of the racism Batson and co endured, the 65-year-old believes there is increased hatred towards certain groups nowadays.He explained: I have family friends who get spat at and mocked over their head scarves, all because of their religion.That isn’t right and to be honest it’s a very worrying state of affairs.“Im very fearful of whats around the corner as things have got even worse over the last few years – both on and off the football pitch.Batson revealed his admiration for England forward Sterling for taking a stand – and says he wishes other people in authority in this country decided to tackle this issue head first and take the necessary action.I admire Raheem for taking a stand and saying enough is enough,” he commented.Its one mans word against another at the end of the day, so it will be hard to prove. “How do you go about proving something where the people in close proximity of this claim they didn’t hear anything?The fact is football isnt the answer to resolve this problem, it is societys issue.I dont think that these anti-racism campaigns, no matter how hard they persevere and the commendable work they do, change peoples views.They’ve got to want to change themselves.“Where are these politicians when it comes to all of this? They say nothing, which isn’t a surprise sadly.”

---

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk lined up at the back for Holland in the Nations League on Thursday Liverpool fans furious with reception Virgil van Dijk got from England supporters : The
Liverpool fans in hysterics as Virgil van Dijk gains instant

---

Alexis Sanchez has had to endure some unfavourable comparisons during his wretched Manchester United career, and has now been likened to a bottle of ketchup by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. 179 comments 2
Chelsea 0-2 Manchester United: FA Cup fifth round - as it

---

Is he the next Johan Cruyff? So Just Who Is Frenkie De Jong, Barcelona's New $85.5 Million Signing? With Frenkie de Jong, Barcelona is getting a midfielder who can slot right in to any
Frenkie de Jong: Barcelona fans already loving Dutch maestro

---

Liverpool have rejected Turkish reports that they have agreed a £17million deal to sign Trabzonspor star Abdulkadir Omur, according to the Liverpool Echo . It had been claimed that the Reds had
Sadio Mane in brilliant answer to Barcelona, Real Madrid

---

Expected goals (xG) is a statistic used to work out how many goals should be scored in a match. Every single shot is awarded an xG value based on the difficulty of the attempt, with factors including distance from goal, type of shot and number of defenders present affecting the value.
Alternative Premier League table after 22 games, based on

---

Chelsea news: Bruce Buck meets Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli in Baku 'to discuss £5million Maurizio Sarri deal' by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 29 May Chelsea chief Bruce Buck has met Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli in Baku on the day of the club's Europa League final against Arsenal.
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck met with Juventus chief to

---

Sunderland close to signing Wigan striker Will Grigg at the fifth attempt and in talks with Celtic over Lewis Morgan The League One promotion chasers are looking to boost their squad ahead of
Sunderland AFC transfer latest: Black Cats 'in talks' to sign

---

Newcastle United chiefs eager to learn Rafa Benitez's final decision on contract extension. The Magpies held talks with Benitez last month but after talk of a lack of improved terms they are
Talk Sport News - sportspyder.com

---

MICHY BATSHUAYI may be set to join Everton after Chelsea recalled him from his loan spell at Valencia. Any move to Goodison Park would have to be permanent as the Toffees already have Blues centre
Batshuayi set to end Valencia loan spell - devicecritique.com
devicecritique.com/2019/01/14/batshuayi-set-to-end-valencia-loan-spell.html
Michy Batshuayi is set to return to Chelsea after Valencia chose to cut short the striker's loan. "We are negotiating with several clubs an exit for Batshuayi", he told a news conference on Thursday. Michy Batshuayi's impending departure from Valencia could result in Everton making a move for the Chelsea-owned striker. "I've played with him and
Michy Batshuayi - Wikipedia

---

Barcelona star Lionel Messi celebrated his son Mateo's second birthday with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo and his other son Thiago. The Argentina international posted a picture on his Instagram.
Gerard Pique, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez all score in

---

Wilfried Zaha racially abused on social media as EFL condemn racism after three incidents this weekend Talksport; Roy Hodgson opens up on Wilfried Zaha's future after Crystal Palace stun Arsenal
Wilfried Zaha Calls Out Racist Abuse on Twitter Following

---

John Terry is set to miss the Champions league clash against PSG as the Center Back is suffering from a hamstring injury. The injury that forced him out of the first leg and the following 3 matches has not completely healed and Hiddink does not want to risk playing the 35 year old.
04 December 2015 News Archive | Daily Mail Online | Daily

---

Juventus' number one target to replace outgoing manager Massimiliano Allegri is Manchester city boss Pep Guardiola. Allegri is set to step aside at the end of the season having won five Serie A
Manchester City news: Pep Guardiola is set to replace

---

Hibernian appoint new manager Hibs have named Paul Heckingbottom as their new manager following the recent departure of Neil Lennon. The 41-year-old former Barnsley and Leeds United boss has agreed a deal at Easter Road until the summer of 2022 and will be assisted by former Scotland defender Robbie Stockdale.
Report: Hibernian could appoint former Leeds manager Paul

---