Sainsbury’s Christmas advert backlash proves UK has long way to go in racism fight, says Watford’s Andre Gray

Watford’s Andre Gray believes the UK still has a long way to go in the battle against racism
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Watford striker Andre Gray believes the reaction to Sainsbury’s Christmas advert this year highlights how the UK still has a long way to go in the battle against racism.

The supermarket’s advert, which depicts a black family celebrating Christmas, was met by racist replies when it was posted by Sainsbury’s on Twitter last week - with some shoppers even threatening to boycott the store.

Gray has used his profile as a professional footballer to strongly campaign for equality and views the backlash to the Sainsbury’s advert as proof that more work needs to be done.

The Watford striker believes there needs to be more education around the subject, as highlighted by former FA chairman Greg Clarke’s comments last week when he used the term “coloured footballers" during talks with MPs.

And when asked by Standard Sport where the country is in its fight against racism, Gray replied: “In terms of the country, I think we are miles off it.

“We are a long way from something changing. I think we have seen that a few days ago with the whole Sainsbury’s advert and the reaction that got.

“But it is a battle that we have to keep fighting. We can’t sit down and just let it blow over. So yeah we are a long way away, but the more that we keep speaking up, and keep exposing what’s going on, then the more people see it and understand.

“I got an Uber in today and I was having a conversation with the taxi man about it. It is about education. Look what the FA chairman said, I have just seen it as ignorance and uneducated.

“This is what needs to change. But, again, this is a battle that was never going to be won over a few months, over a few marches and protests.

“It is a thing that just needs to keep getting exposed, and keep being spoken about, because that’s the only way things are going to change.”

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