Black Player's Union a possibility?

[Old Master]

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.
Play media

Ferdinand joins Roberts' protest

"We don't need to separate the players when the whole focus and goal of anti-racism is to campaign for unity."

Carlisle also said he had spoken to Reading striker Jason Roberts about the issue after more than 30 players refused to wear T-shirts supporting the Kick It Out anti-racism campaign at the weekend following Roberts's remarks that some black players were unhappy with the organisation's progress.

However, Roberts said he was not part of the talks on a breakaway group, tweeting: "I can confirm that I have not been involved in any talks over a separate black players' union."

Another player who opted not to wear the T-shirt was Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand - but Herbert refused to name any players involved.

"They have not come forward lightly," he said. "We are very aware it is not an easy task for anybody.

"At the moment we cannot say names but I think you will be well aware that [Ferdinand] is a person [who] has taken a stance."

Football Association chairman David Bernstein urged caution and said a breakaway organisation would not be the best way to deal with racism in the game.

"Fragmentation isn't in anyone's interest. Great passions are involved here. I hope sense prevails and people can work together," said Bernstein.

He also confirmed sanctions for players found guilty of racist abuse would be re-examined in light of the Terry case.

"It's on the agenda to look at it again. The FA received a certain, probably limited degree of criticism for its processes in the Terry thing. We will look at that.

"I think the tariffs will need looking at but, given the existing scenarios and given other punishments elsewhere, actually the commission got it pretty much right."

Herbert said he was angered by the way the FA dealt with Terry, describing the decision to find him guilty of making a racist comment while stating that he was not a racist as "unbelievable".
Kick It Out facts

Kick Racism Out Of Football began in 1993

It became the more wide ranging anti-discrimination body Kick It Out in 1997

Its first Kick It Out week of action was held in 2001

In season 2010-11 the organisation had an annual budget of £453,913

Of that, £330,000 came from the Football Association, the Premier League and the Professional Footballers' Association

It employs seven staff

"The FA describe that John Terry made a racist comment but [say he is] not a racist. That is an unbelievable application of logic and one, as a discrimination lawyer, you find quite incredible."

And he said he believed football authorities should be supporting any moves to combat racism: "The FA should not fear black players self-organising. They should embrace it."

Herbert added that any new group would seek to meet with the PFA to discuss matters on a regular basis.

And he said the new group could also tackle the under-representation of black managers in football.

"They are suffering systematic racism and the gross under-representation at managerial level of black players as coaches and managers is a scandal," he said.

Herbert also called for all players, regardless of race, to walk off the pitch if anyone suffered racist abuse.

"If there is a huge swell of racist chanting or abuse at a football match, the teams should come off. Not just black players, everyone should come off."

I'm not too impressed with Herbert's comments - I think he's far too divisive in most of his comments on Racism in Football and has a history of often taking things a bit too far with the Black Lawyers group. - he's even been accused of being racist himself. :?

[The Kop]

It's all becoming a bit of a circus now really.....

[Bomber]

Try getting a white only player's union and see how far you get. Hypocrites more so than racists.

[Chade]

Try getting a white only player's union and see how far you get. Hypocrites more so than racists.

If white players had a history of being racially abused, you might have a point... Also, there's no mention of acceptance criteria based on ethnicity.

[Facts and Stats]

Suarez will be the head of the group. It will be called Negretos altogether.

[Bomber]

Try getting a white only player's union and see how far you get. Hypocrites more so than racists.

If white players had a history of being racially abused, you might have a point... Also, there's no mention of acceptance criteria based on ethnicity.

How many white people have ever lodged a complaint or been public about being called a "white c...t" even though it happens quite a lot? Am talking all sports here. Thing is, most dont give a toss!

[Old Master]

Try getting a white only player's union and see how far you get. Hypocrites more so than racists.

If white players had a history of being racially abused, you might have a point... Also, there's no mention of acceptance criteria based on ethnicity.

How many white people have ever lodged a complaint or been public about being called a "white c...t" even though it happens quite a lot? Am talking all sports here. Thing is, most dont give a toss!

Imagine the howls of protest if someone wanted to form a whites only group?

[Nice One Cyril]

A right Herbert

[yogi]

A right Herbert

You mean,,,,,,," A right Cyril "

[Old Redback]

Agree with The Kop (for once!) it is becoming a circus.

Surely this is something is even more divisive?

The issue here is footballers needing to unite to stamp out racism - by dividing the footballers into black and white it creates a further needless division that does nothing to advance the cause of unity and togetherness.

[Raich Carter]

Imagine the howls of protest if someone wanted to form a whites only group?

Its called the KKK

[Stitch This]

Imagine the howls of protest if someone wanted to form a whites only group?

Its called the KKK

[God is an Englishman]

the bloke talking about it is head of the Black Lawyers Association.

Will they accept white people into this Black Players Union? If not then they are contravening the law. THE BNP were told they were not allowed to have skin colour as a membership criteria, so how could this group?

[bapa]

Suarez will be the head of the group. It will be called Negretos altogether.

I wonder if Evra or the Ferdinand brothers will join?????

[God is an Englishman]

Try getting a white only player's union and see how far you get. Hypocrites more so than racists.

If white players had a history of being racially abused, you might have a point... Also, there's no mention of acceptance criteria based on ethnicity.

So why call it a BLACK Players Union if they're going to allow white people to join?

He makes a perfectly valid point, you have black police association, you have society of black lawyers, you have music of black origin.

Where's the equivalent for white people? As soon as you even suggested it you would be hounded for being racist - what's the difference here?

Carlisle who normally just talks a load of bollocks has even come out and stated it would be devisive.

[God is an Englishman]

Suarez will be the head of the group. It will be called Negretos altogether.

I wonder if Evra or the Ferdinand brothers will join?????

I wonder if suarez or terry will join?

[Knight15]

I agree it's becoming a circus and they are starting to damage their own cause by being holier than though! We have come a long way from throwing bananas on to the field and making monkey noises. Still plenty to do, however a separate union is a wrong move in my opinion

[God is an Englishman]

serperate union, maybe we could have a seperate stand for the black fans to sit in. (Not needed at Millwall or arsenal obviously), how about seperate buses or maybe the blacks could just sit at the back of the bus.

[bapa]

Suarez will be the head of the group. It will be called Negretos altogether.

I wonder if Evra or the Ferdinand brothers will join?????

I wonder if suarez or terry will join?

no silly, terry aint chocolate.....

[God is an Englishman]

no silly, terry aint chocolate.....

terry's chocolate

[Paleon Patros Germanos]

Try getting a white only player's union and see how far you get. Hypocrites more so than racists.

If white players had a history of being racially abused, you might have a point... Also, there's no mention of acceptance criteria based on ethnicity.

Please do not speak sense on any off these forums, it will not be tolerated.

[God is an Englishman]

Try getting a white only player's union and see how far you get. Hypocrites more so than racists.

If white players had a history of being racially abused, you might have a point... Also, there's no mention of acceptance criteria based on ethnicity.

Please do not speak sense on any off these forums, it will not be tolerated.

then what's the point of black players union, if they're going to allow white players to join?

Secondly, so it's ok to deal with discrimination by discriminating. I really had forgotten how much of a left union loving loon you are.

[Paleon Patros Germanos]

You are assuming I agree with Chade.

[God is an Englishman]

You are assuming I agree with Chade.

you believed he was speaking sense, so perhaps you could explain how he's talking sense.

[BlackBrian_7]

I was just wondering if anyone knew if Anton Ferdinand received any form of sanction for calling Ashley Cole a 'choc ice'?

I believe this is a form of racial abuse.

[God is an Englishman]

I was just wondering if anyone knew if Anton Ferdinand received any form of sanction for calling Ashley Cole a 'choc ice'?

I believe this is a form of racial abuse.

it was rio and he got a fine. he didn't call him a choc ice, he laughed when someone else did.

[Paleon Patros Germanos]

Bomber is also quoted in my response.

[BlackBrian_7]

I was just wondering if anyone knew if Anton Ferdinand received any form of sanction for calling Ashley Cole a 'choc ice'?

I believe this is a form of racial abuse.

it was rio and he got a fine. he didn't call him a choc ice, he laughed when someone else did.

Ok I knew it was one of the brothers that was involved, so who racially abused Ashley Cole then?

Maybe that's why he wouldn't wear the t-shirt, because he knew that he would be a hypocrite given that he condones racism by laughing at it's use on a fellow black professional player.

[The Kop]

Or maybe as age is dwindling his footballing ability his ego is taking over.

[God is an Englishman]

Bomber is also quoted in my response.

common sense would assume that you are commenting on the final part of the quote.