Investigation Reveals Racism Widespread In English Football

Racism is "widespread in English football with police having to deal with hundreds of incidents from the top of the game right down to grassroots level," an investigation has revealed, according to Tom White of the PA. It also revealed that Chelsea supporters "have been involved in the highest number of reported racist incidents" as they have traveled to and from matches on trains. The information, "gathered from 24 police forces" across England, showed there have been more than 350 incidents since '12. The charity Show Racism The Red Card said the number of incidents "shows that racism is a societal problem" and it was particularly "shocked" by the number of incidents of racist abuse at children's matches. Show Racism The Red Card Campaign Coordinator Gavin Sutherland said, "This data from police forces around the U.K. shows that although football clubs have taken strong action against people using racist language inside stadiums, racism is a real problem within society" (PA, 3/23).