The Reader: Raheem was right to highlight racial bias towards footballers

Local boy Raheem Sterling is a great role model for people in Brent, getting through so many difficult times to become the form player in the Premier League this year. His social media post over the weekend highlighting racial bias towards footballers in the media was intelligent and accurate.

However, one side to this story that many seem to have missed is the behaviour of Chelsea FC. On Monday the club suspended four fans pending an investigation into alleged racist abuse hurled at Sterling during the match against Manchester City on Saturday. However, in 2011 when the captain at the time, John Terry, was accused — though later cleared in court — of using some of the same phrases towards an opponent on the pitch, it took nearly a year to take confidential action. Indeed, the club initially doubled down in support of him. Did this create an atmosphere where fans feel like they can behave like they allegedly did on Saturday?
Matt Kelcher
Councillor, Brent

I recently went to watch a minor league football match — as a rugby union fan, I hadn’t been to football for many years — and I was appalled at the language and aggression shown towards the opposing team.

No account of younger fans or even children was evident in their behaviour. So to see this at Premier League level is hardly surprising.

Attitudes in this tribal arena are archaic and should have no place in modern society.
Kevin Beel

EDITOR'S REPLY

Dear Matt and Kevin

Thanks for your letters. You’re right that Raheem Sterling’s comments have been intelligent and incisive — he’s a real role model for the country.

I think your suggestion that Chelsea bear some responsibility for the actions of four of their supporters last weekend because of how they handled the John Terry case years ago is stretching things too far. People are responsible for their own actions and it’s no different in this case.

The kind of behaviour we saw at Stamford Bridge is not just a “Chelsea problem”. Take a look at any ground across the country — the ball goes out of play, a player picks it up from near the hoardings, and fans unite in barely controlled anger that makes right-minded people wince.

Clubs have the power to ban from their grounds supporters whose behaviour they do not like. We must hope they do.

The Premier League and Football Association must also realise that much more needs to be done — too often leadership on these issues falls to Lord Ouseley and Kick it Out. When he steps down next year, he will be missed.

James Major, Sports Editor

EU will want our trade after Brexit

I get very annoyed when it is said that the public now know the true facts of Brexit. We already knew what we wanted when we voted Leave.

This country should have left by now and started negotiations for dealing with other countries. The EU will still want to trade with us. Have Remain voters looked at the condition of some of these EU countries’ banks? They really should: Spain, Italy and Greece are all in a poor financial condition.

It has also been said house prices will fall. Hooray! People who currently cannot afford to get on the housing ladder probably will now.

Let’s get out now and start negotiating properly.
John Clarke

People did not vote to be made poorer and lose all connections with the trading block on which we greatly depend. Surely it is time for a government of national unity and the realization that the referendum cannot be implemented?
Tim James