PM to chair talks on football racism (From Asian Image)

PM to chair talks on football racism

12:20am Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in News

David Cameron will step into the row over racism in football today by staging a Downing Street summit on the issue.

Some of the sport’s biggest stars, governing bodies and anti-discrimination groups are to join the Prime Minister and Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt for talks.

The Government is also injecting £3 million into the Football Association’s new National Coaching Centre, which aims to encourage more individuals from ethnic minorities to progress in the game.

The event to promote a more “inclusive” sport comes amid fears that high-profile incidents are harming its image.

Earlier this month Liverpool forward Luis Suarez was forced to apologise for refusing to shake hands with Manchester United’s Patrice Evra before the teams’ match.

Suarez had only recently returned to action for Liverpool following a ban for racially abusing Evra during a game in October.

England star John Terry is also due to face trial over the summer on charges of racially abusing QPR’s Anton Ferdinand.

Those taking part in the discussions today include former players John Barnes and Graeme Le Saux.

Amal Fashanu, who recently made a documentary about homosexuality in the sport, 14 years after her footballer uncle Justin hanged himself, will attend.

Representatives from the Football Association, the Premier League, the Football League, the Professional Footballers’ Association and the League Managers’ Association are also due to be there.

At a charity reception last month, Mr Cameron said many people had been “concerned by recent events”.

”My message is clear: we will not tolerate racism in Britain. It has absolutely no place in our society and where it exists, we will kick it out,” he said.

”Our football governing bodies, clubs and footballers themselves have a vital role to play as role models in this respect.”

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has also spoken out about the need to encourage more people from ethnic minorities to become coaches.