Union reveal plan to prove they’re not soft on racism

 
Tom Collomosse24 October 2012

The players' union today launched a six-point plan aimed at combating racism in football and convincing sceptical members that they are taking the problem seriously.

Amid suggestions that a breakaway union would be formed to protect the interests of black players, the Professional Footballers’ Association today responded with a list of initiatives, which called for quicker action on allegations of racist abuse and stronger penalties for the guilty.

Most of the proposals would have to be ratified by the Football Association, who would certainly be against the Rooney Rule, and individual clubs.

Chief executive Gordon Taylor said: “If [certain players] want their own particular select group who they feel can influence everybody more than the whole PFA as a union together, I would say they are seriously mistaken.

“If we are not careful this will set us back years. It would not only set back the game: it would set back the anti-racist initiative.”

The PFA's plan

1 Quicker process to deal with reported racist abuse.

2 Stiffer penalties with an equality awareness programme for culprits and clubs involved.

3 An English form of the ‘Rooney Rule’ — introduced by the NFL in America in 2003 — to make sure qualified black coaches are interviewed for jobs.

4 The proportion of black coaches and managers to be monitored and any inequality or progress highlighted.

5 Racial abuse to be considered gross misconduct in player and coach contracts (and therefore potentially a sackable offence).

6 Not to lose sight of other equality issues such as gender, sexual orientation, disability, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and Asians in football.

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