Football Association new considering anti-racism measures in reaction to Suarez and Terry cases
The Football Association is considering the introduction of courses designed to educate foreign players in the Premier League more widely about English cultures and customs, and the insertion of anti-discrimination clauses into contracts, the BBC reports. The plan is a direct response to incidents of racism involving the likes of Luis Suarez and John Terry.
Liverpool striker Suarez was banned for eight games after being found to have racially abused Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, while Chelsea captain Terry stood trial after being accused of a racially aggravated public order offence after an incident with Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand. Terry was cleared in court but later found guilty by the FA and given a four-game ban as well as a hefty fine.
More recently, referee Mark Clattenburg was accused by Chelsea of having made a racially motivated comment towards midfielder John Obi Mikel, but the claim was found to have no basis. This weekend, Norwich City defender Sebastian Bassong was the target of racist abuse at Swansea City - with the culprit quickly identified and removed from the Liberty Stadium - while Manchester police are also investigating claims of racist chanting during the Manchester derby.
The FA have moved in response to criticism from prime minister David Cameron, who hosted an anti-racism summit at Downing Street in the summer. The FA met to discuss their next step on Monday, but any such plan might be delayed until February when Premier League and Football League clubs meet as scheduled.
Suarez claimed in his defence that the term he directed at Evra was not offensive in his native Uruguay, while there was controversy at the decision to ban Terry for only half as many games as Suarez. The FA is understood to be considering the introduction of a fixed ban for a player found guilty of racist abuse.
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