Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola said he would consider taking his players off the field as an act of protest to racist abuse recently.
The Spaniard has called on football’s authorities to do more to tackle racism after his player Raheem Sterling was subjected to racist abuse during England’s 5-1 Euro 2020 qualifying win in Montenegro.
Sterling was also subjected to alleged racist taunts from Chelsea fans during a Premier League match in December.
Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a banana skin thrown at him by a Tottenham supporter in the north London derby at the Emirates Stadium in December
A friendly between AC Milan and Italian lower division club Pro Patria was abandoned after players walked off because of racist chants in 2013.
Milan’s Kevin-Prince Boateng sparked the walk-off by picking up the match-ball midway through the first half and kicking it into the crowd. The Ghana international removed his shirt and was followed by both sets of players and officials.
“I would have to involve the club, the chairmen and CEOs and my captain and the team and the players, if we all together decide we can signal to do it, why not?” Guardiola said.
“The situation changes when you do something, if not it’s impossible and the situation is always the same. That is why when people like him (Sterling) or other cases express what they express it’s good for our future, for our society to do it.
“The problem is not about the football itself, it’s the society, what is happening in Europe? The extreme-right side is going there and the message they are sending to win elections, to win votes, we are not safe. It’s not a football problem, it’s society itself.” Guardiola added.
Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling was subjected to racist abuse during Premier League against Chelsea. (Source:www.thetimes.co.uk)
While Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri has called for matches to be temporarily halted. Former Napoli head coach worked in Italy for many years where racism has been an issue.
“I think that we need to do something different, probably it’s right to stop the match for 10 minutes in the first situations.” Sarri said.
