Both the Football Association and Kick It Out yesterday launched investigations into the racist chants aimed at Middlesbrough striker Mido during Sunday’s hard fought Tyne/Tees derby match.
We examine the press coverage, the arguments and the possible outcomes of the investigations
An FA spokesman explained that both Middlesbrough and Newcastle United will be asked for their interpretations of events at the Riverside on Sunday.
The FA have started by studying audio and video footage of the game. Sources said that racist chants directed at Mido from visiting Newcastle supporters were "clearly audible" and it is understood that the FA will contact Cleveland police today and ask for their cooperation in identifying those involved.
Although the FA is primarily interested in stamping out all forms of racism, its investigation will also touch on further chants directed at Mido, most notably "Mido is a Paedo", which was apparently the chosen way of some Newcastle fans of reminding their Boro counterparts of the Cleveland child abuse scandal in the 80s.
Kick It Out, the brand name of the campaign ‘Lets kick racism out of football’ have released the following statement:
"Kick It Out is concerned at the reports of racial abuse directed at Mido during the Middlesbrough vs. Newcastle match this weekend.
"All of those involved in the game will be aware of the need to tackle racism and discrimination in all forms. Islamaphobia is a dangerous and nasty form of racism.”
"We will be working with our partners at the players union, The PFA, The FA, Newcastle United and Middlesbrough to ensure an appropriate response to this incident.”
"We will continue to campaign and raise awareness across the country of the potential for problems such as this to occur and to deliver long term awareness raising to combat discrimination of all kinds."
This is not the first time Mido has been subject to such abuse. On 20th November 2005 in a match between Tottenham and West Ham the Hammers fans were chanting offensive taunts including “your Mum’s a terrorist” towards Mido who was appearing for his previous club Tottenham. West Ham’s then manager Alan Pardew, apologised to Mido for the anti-Muslim abuse directed at the Spurs striker.
"I'll apologise to them," said Pardew "It's very difficult because it happens at most games and sometimes it goes reported and sometimes it doesn't. I was at Charlton against Manchester United last weekend and there were some things said there that weren't particularly savoury. It happens all the time. That doesn't mean to say that we should accept it." The sensitivity of the issue was made clear when the subject was raised. "Thanks for bringing that up," was Pardew's first reaction. "It's never nice. I don't approve of it at all."
So what should happen next?
Our position at trophy4toon is absolutely clear, we find the behaviour of the Newcastle fans at Middlesbrough on Sunday totally unacceptable in the modern day, multi cultural Premier League.
The Premier League is very much into Global Branding and the bigger clubs are travelling world wide to build up their fan base as Premier League football is broadcast across the planet.
Visiting many of the fans forums on the internet will clearly demonstrate the reaction from global fans to what was seen and heard, complete indignation at the racist behaviour.
Also the reaction of the national press has been damning of the Newcastle fans which is very disturbing to the large majority of Newcastle fans who don’t want racism in football.
We want Newcastle to be a top European club competing on a global scale along with Man United, Chelsea, Barcelona, Juventus etc. As well as being a club, which woman, children and all races and religions can support and attend matches without feeling threatened or abused.
There is no room for this racist behaviour in football at Newcastle or anywhere else.
An FA spokesman said last night: "We are very much in favour of banning orders being imposed on anyone identified as engaging in racist behaviour in football. The FA will obviously work with the police on all football disorder related matters."
The most likely outcome of the FA investigation will be a censor for the Newcastle fans along with the identifying of those involved then making them subject to banning orders.
An apology from Newcastle officials on the lines of that above from Alan Pardew would also be a positive step in helping restore the tarnished image of our great football club.
