EURO BLACK OUT

Leading black footballers are to hold a meeting to consider a possible boycott on playing matches in Europe unless more action is taken to clamp down on racism in stadiums across the continent.

Sir Herman Ouseley, chairman of Kick It Out, said yesterday that plans were being made to hold a meeting of leading black footballers in the next few weeks, to discuss action against the continuing racist abuse they face when playing on the continent.

Sir Herman said some black players, including the Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry, had already expressed support for a boycott. He said that unless Uefa, European football's governing body, took firmer action, there would be a boycott by black footballers playing in Europe.

Sir Herman said: "Black players have had enough of putting up with racial abuse. They feel that not enough is being done and that not enough progress is being made to tackle racism on the continent.
"This is not about what happened over the weekend during England's match against Slovakia. Many black players have been abused consistently every time they play in Europe.

"Black players have been reluctant to take such militant action because they believe that their job is to play football and they turn a blind eye to it. But there's now a groundswell of opinion that this has gone on for long enough and they have to do something about it. If the authorities will not do anything, then the players will take action."

Kick it Out is also to hold a meeting with the Professional Footballers Association - the players' union - and the Football Association, to discuss the growing problem of racism in football across Europe.