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Talks under way for 'Black Footballer's association'

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Brennan

Brennan

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Racism row: lawyer reveals black footballers' association talks

A leading human rights barrister has said talks over a separate black footballers' association have begun.
Peter Herbert, who chairs the Society of Black Lawyers and helped set up a Black Police Association, says the discussions are at a preliminary stage.

Herbert says the new organisation would provide a more "radical" and "vigorous" approach to combating racism.

Professional Footballers' Association chairman Clarke Carlisle warned a new group could have a divisive effect.

Herbert said players from various levels of the game, including the Premier League, were involved in discussions. The working title for the proposed body is the Black Players' Association.

He added that John Terry's abuse of Anton Ferdinand and Luis Suarez's abuse of Patrice Evra last season, along with the alleged racist abuse of England Under-21 player Danny Rose in Serbia,were a trigger for black players to come forward and attempt to form the group.

"People appear to have decided they have to do something more vigorously," Herbert said.

"What we are seeking to do for the individuals is to have that protection so they are not on their own or faced with a barrage of pressure from the media, from their clubs or the FA, but have the support of the whole community of the UK - and that includes the legal community."

But PFA chairman Carlisle said unity not separatism was needed.
"[A new body] has the potential to be divisive because when you establish a black players' union it would instantly define 'us and them' and that's something we really need to work against," the York City defender said.
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Absolutely ridiculous idea. We want to be treated equally, but we want our own football association based on the colour of our skin. Jesus.
 


What exactly would Rio and his mates like the PFA to do that they haven't?

People, whether racist or not, will always use a distinguishing characteristic to insult people. It's not nice, or right, but that will never change.

The only reason I can see an organization like this could help is if football was institutionally racist, I don't believe for a second that a league thats 60%+ foreign players is.

I think Ferdinand is desperate to change his image from wideboy uber-weapon to a psuedo intelligent type with a cause and will be the leading voice behind this.
 

Hmm. Havnt the Police also got a Muslim Police Federation, as well as the Black Police Association? Is there a female coppers association?

Surely, you a Football player or a Copper, not a black or a white one? I mean, if the issue is that Black players do not think they are represented properly, or they are not happy with the recent issues, then surely the way to influence is from the inside, not as a separate group.
 
There's really no need for it, though. Two isolated incidents by two people were punished by the FA and no one can help what happened in Serbia.
 

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