Is Jason Roberts right to protest against Kick It Out?
RACISM in football has long been an issue and one not dealt with even-handedly by football’s governing bodies. Wear Paddy Power underpants and get fined £80,000, being found guilty of racism and you get fined 30p. And so, unhappy at the feeble action of the FA, Reading’s Jason Roberts has decided to protest against anti-racism group, Kick It Out.
The striker believes the anti-discrimination body has failed to tackle racism. It is worth pointing out that racism is a bigger problem than football. It’s a bit like asking football to cure cancer. Kick It Out are doing their bit, but the football associations don’t seem to be.
And with that, Sir Alex Ferguson believes Roberts is misguided in his protest, saying “there shouldn’t be a sheep wandering off”.
Fergie says:
“I have to disagree with Jason Roberts. I think he is making the wrong point. Everyone should be united, with all the players in the country wearing the Kick It Out warm-up tops. I don’t know what point he is trying to make. I don’t know if he is trying to put himself on a different pedestal from everyone. But he really should be supporting all the rest of the players who are doing it.
“When you do something, and everyone believes in it, you should all do it together. There shouldn’t be sheep wandering off. I think he is making the wrong message. All the players are wearing it. I have only heard that Jason Roberts is different – but he is very different. He plays a game and is in the studio 20 minutes after it. That is a great privilege.”
Roberts is steadfast though, saying:
“I find it hard to wear a t-shirt after what has happened in the last year. I won’t wear one. I’m totally committed to kicking racism out of football but when there’s a movement I feel represents the issue in the way that speaks for me and my colleagues, then I will happily support it.”
“I think people feel let down by what used to be called ‘Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football’. People don’t feel like they have been strong enough.”
Is Roberts attacking the right people? Kick It Out clearly do a wonderful job for the powers that they have. Protesting against them feels like protesting against Oxfam because governments let people starve.
What do you think?
Posted: 19th, October 2012 | In: Sports Comments (11) | TrackBack | Permalink
