Brendon Batson fears racism in football will only get worse… and says it’s society’s problem to resolve

Brendon Batson fears racism in football will only get worse… and says it’s society’s problem to resolve
Brendon Batson fears the issue of racism in football is only going to get worse, but insists it is society’s problem to resolve.Batson was one of the leading pioneers in the 1970s who helped break down the racial barriers when he played for Arsenal, Cambridge United and West Brom.4

Brendon Batson has been saddened by the latest ugly high-profile incidents in football

4

Batson, pictured playing for Arsenal, later became part of the famous Three Degrees at West Brom alongside Cyrille Regis and Laurie Cunningham and helped break down barriers for black players

However, the PFA trustee has been saddened by the recent high-profile incidents which are putting a stain on the game.A fortnight ago a banana was thrown towards Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyangafter he scored a first-half penalty in their 4-2 win over arch-rivals Tottenham.Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling was then allegedly racially abused by a Chelsea fan.And speaking at the latest London Baggies event, Batson is not optimistic things are going to improve.He said: I was in Paris when the news broke.“It’s sad we are still having to talk about the issue of racism.Its not going to just go away, in fact I can only see it getting worse.“With that said I do think it’s an unfair burden on football it is primarily societys problem.”4

Raheem Sterling, left, was allegedly racially abused last Saturday at Stamford Bridge

4

Blues fan Colin Wing (circled) claims he did not racially abuse Sterling, but has apologised for the words he did use

Batson recalled the type of abuse he encountered not just on a football pitch, but even at school, on a daily basis as a youngster.He added: When I was growing up in Tilbury as a nine-year old I was called a chocolate drop.“I didn’t know what that meant initially, but one day I was called it at school and my siblings heard and all hell broke lose.For the next four years I was always fighting at school, as were my siblings, as we were constantly pelted with racist abuse – that was the norm.”While improvements have been made in society, and indeed football, in regards to the regularity and severity of the racism Batson and co endured, the 65-year-old believes there is increased hatred towards certain groups nowadays.He explained: I have family friends who get spat at and mocked over their head scarves, all because of their religion.That isn’t right and to be honest it’s a very worrying state of affairs.“Im very fearful of whats around the corner as things have got even worse over the last few years – both on and off the football pitch.Batson revealed his admiration for England forward Sterling for taking a stand – and says he wishes other people in authority in this country decided to tackle this issue head first and take the necessary action.I admire Raheem for taking a stand and saying enough is enough,” he commented.Its one mans word against another at the end of the day, so it will be hard to prove. “How do you go about proving something where the people in close proximity of this claim they didn’t hear anything?The fact is football isnt the answer to resolve this problem, it is societys issue.I dont think that these anti-racism campaigns, no matter how hard they persevere and the commendable work they do, change peoples views.They’ve got to want to change themselves.“Where are these politicians when it comes to all of this? They say nothing, which isn’t a surprise sadly.”

---

The Sadio Mane promise Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp now faces sign for Arsenal after Bayern Munich exit Football once Chelsea star completes move
NewsNow: Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours news

---

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident he is the right man to get the best out of Manchester United's players, despite a poor run since his appointment as permanent manager. United slumped to their

---

Get a report of the Manchester United vs. Manchester City 2018/2019 English Premier League football match. leaves them three points and two places outside the top four. United boss Ole Gunnar
Manchester United vs. Manchester City - Football Match Report

---

Gerard Houllier EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool 'had Barcelona running scared' in miraculous Champions League com Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has told talkSPORT he had a feeling this 'special' Reds team would find a way past Barcelona into another Champions League final.
Gerard Houllier EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool 'had Barcelona running

---

Fantasy Football managers are struggling with the late news regarding the Kane injury. Here's the Fantasy Premier League community roundup! There was a slight suggestion all week regarding the fitness of Kane, but it hasn't made life easier for FPL managers.
Fantasy Premier League tips: Six Harry Kane replacements

---

"She was so small she couldn't fit into any children's clothes and he would buy dolls for the clothes. His big move came when he was bought by Jose Mourinho to play "I couldn't even
| Football Transfer News | | Page 3 | Sam's Alfresco Coffee

---

Dutch footballer left in disbelief as wonderful chip spins back off goal line Problematic Why Bilbao's new strategy could be bad news for Man United, City and
Video: AZ Alkmaar star left in disbelief as delightful chip

---

Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to the influence of Jordan Henderson and James Milner after they came from the bench to help Liverpool claim a crucial comeback win over Southampton. Although Naby Keita
Jordan Henderson is playing higher and Liverpool's midfield

---

Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi is close to having his loan spell cancelled by Valencia after failing to impress during the first half of the 2018/19 season in Spain. The Belgian enjoyed a
Michy Batshuayi: Chelsea forward's loan at Valencia to end

---

Derby will face Leeds United in the Championship play-off semi-finals following their win over West Brom on the final day of the season to set up a 'Spygate' reunion. There was controversy at Elland Road after Marcelo Bielsa confessed to telling a member of his staff to spy on the Derby team at their training ground in the lead up to a
Championship play-offs: Derby County claim fina | SportSpyder

---

Chelsea reached the Europa League knockout stage on Thursday thanks to a strike by Olivier Giroud, while last year's runners-up Olympique de Marseille were eliminated at the group stage.
Giroud salvages draw for much-changed Chelsea in Hungary

---

Ronaldo and Argentina forward Messi, 31, have long been regarded as the world's best players, each winning five Ballon […] Cristiano Ronaldo Wants Lionel Messi To Join Him in Italy » The Poise Portugal international Ronaldo joined Serie A champions Juventus from Real Madrid in a £99.2m deal in the summer.
Cristiano Ronaldo urges Barcelona's Lionel Messi to join him

---