Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd +44 7904 640267 06/10/2012 Norwich Manager Chris Hughton during the Barclays Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London.

Chris Hughton wants latest racist scandal to be a watershed moment in fight against the problem

Friday, October 19, 2012
1:57 PM

Chris Hughton yesterday warned the fight against racism had reached a watershed moment after the ugly scenes that marred England’s U21s Euro2013 play-off success in Serbia earlier this week.

The Norwich City boss insists fines from the football authorities are meaningless after Stuart Pearce’s squad and coaching staff were subjected to racist and physical abuse following their 2-0 aggregate win.

Uefa have already instigated proceedings against both the English and Serbian FA’s over the behaviour of their players at the final whistle. The Serbs also face charges over alleged racist chanting from their fans – but Hughton is demanding tough action in the form of bans and ground lockouts.

“What we have seen over the last few years are fines which are so minimal, they are no deterrent,” he said. “The only way for it to be a deterrent, certainly abroad, is to play games behind closed doors and ban teams. Fines don’t work, they are paid off very quickly and they are no deterrent. All of us in the game want to see improvements made. We have made great strides here in England, and for that to happen abroad, there has to be stronger deterrents.

“I know in England within the stadiums that we will ban people, we will take away their season tickets. The only way for it to be a deterrent if you are taking about international football is to play games behind closed doors or ban teams.”

Tottenham’s young defender Danny Rose, a player Hughton knew well from his time at White Hart Lane, was red carded after the final whistle after reacting to abuse by kicking a ball into the crowd. The Norwich chief has backed calls for that dismissal to be over-turned.

“Yes I would like to see that,” he said. “Even without knowing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, but seeing it, it is quite obvious that one individual has been put in almost an intolerable position. I think there were reasons why he has acted in the way he has done and I do certainly feel that would be very appropriate. I know Danny and first and foremost he is a very good young footballer. He is somebody that has been subjected to abuse that he shouldn’t have and he reacted in a way that most people would have done.

“The circumstances this week have given Uefa a real good opportunity to stamp their authority on this situation. It is not the first time it has happened there. We have done a lot of good work and have reaped the benefits from it, but unfortunately the way we see it here is a lot different to how they see it abroad.”

Hughton is adamant the British game has made huge strides in tackling racist abuse since his own playing days despite high profile recent cases involving John Terry and Luis Suarez.

“I was brought up in the late 1970s and early 1980s and if we are talking about racial chants or abuse from players it was something that happened, and at times as a regular occurrence,” he said. “That was then, in that period. Thankfully when I speak to our players, modern-day players, and the interaction they have in the changing room, those days are long gone.

“Instances arise every now and again, but the important thing is we stamp down on them. The only way to deal with it is to be vocal and we are certainly in a better place than when I played.

“It is a very multi-cultural game and changing room now. That is the big difference from when I was playing and I have to say there are less problems. Not only do they train week in, week out but they also go out socially together so we have that on-going process happening here rather than the need to sit players down and talk to them specifically. I have to say again that in this country the incidents are isolated.”

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15 comments

Cameron of stoke . massive bloke , fills half the goall sell bunn

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wivenhoebudgie

Friday, October 19, 2012
So true Brewer ! Of course Hoots is entitled to his opinion, but I've no doubt he's been wheeled out on this topic as he's one of the few black managers in the game. Now please back to the bread + butter Mr.H. At the very least we need a draw from the next game. PS: Methinks Andyrew almost "certianly" needs a spelling lesson...

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Timbo

Friday, October 19, 2012
Does Brewer actually have a life? In all honesty, I think Ged paints a better picture of life at CR ! These monotonous comments and poor attempts at humour are more depressing than the man himself almost certianly is.

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andyrew

Friday, October 19, 2012
Anyway, the whole issue will be a whitewash, mopped up with Terry-towels.

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Mad Brewer

Friday, October 19, 2012
S`orry, s`houldve been S`o very poor........

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Mad Brewer

Friday, October 19, 2012
BTW, was that a Divotcas`t? Para 2. The Englis`h and S`erbian FA`s what? Should it have been a pos`ses`sive rather than a plural, the errant apos`trophe (apo`strophe) might have been placed el`sewhere anyway. `So very poor, local journali`sm. Job`s (s`ic) for the off`s`pring of the good and mighty. S`t Giles S`t branch. Mai`son detre. Apron`s on!!

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Mad Brewer

Friday, October 19, 2012
Reply ethered, Gavin. I really cannot be bothered to do it all again. More important news, hot out of the microwave! - our pies are now £3. EDP prefers to report gossip from anywhere rather than news from the Carra Kremlin. Hoots may be afraid of "owning up" to an injury to Jacob in case it constitutes another potential nail. I hope Butterfield is OK - no news is NOT necessarily good news. Love to Stacey. x.

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Mad Brewer

Friday, October 19, 2012
Hi, Gavin. I`ve pestered and pestered about Butterfield but to no avail. EDP trumpeted his imminent appearance in a Development game. It did not happen. Not in the squad. Why? But we get irrelevant tripe about other clubs` players and the history of Arsenal v Norwich etc. What has happened to Jacob? Is Hoots afraid that "owning up" constitutes another potential nail? I want it to be good news, but contrary to myth\cliché, no news is NOT necessarily good news. Anyway, more important matters: our pies are now £3. Hot off the microwave. Love to Stacey. x.

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Mad Brewer

Friday, October 19, 2012
Off topic I know, but MB what the devil has happened to Mr Butterfield? Out with a facial injury perhaps following his first attempt to crack a smile since signing for us?

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Gavin

Friday, October 19, 2012
I can only think of one set of fans in England who still vent vile rac*st abuse,dem muggy m*llwall ****ers. The former communist bloc countries are time warped numpties and should be binned by FIFA... but I'll very much doubt they have the balls or the desire to do it.

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nrg

Friday, October 19, 2012
me thinks you have a valid point there mad brewer. We got Bunn from blackburn...why not give him a go between the sticks?. Can do any worse than what we've seen so far this season

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lordyfan

Friday, October 19, 2012
agreed, lordyfan. If CH spent as much time trying to win games as he does going on about racism we might be in a better position.

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Mikado Kember

Friday, October 19, 2012
It`s the art of distraction I think, lordyfan. I must admit I`d like to know one or two other things just now, like "What`s happened to Jacob Butterfield"? Or "When are we going to get another goalie"? Or "Is Hoots really after Stoke striker Cameron Jerome? And can he play in goal"?

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Mad Brewer

Friday, October 19, 2012
yes it is an issue in the modern game, its part of this PC society we live in. BUT the point of this is that CH should spend his time getting our players ready for the game and leave this to those higher in the football food chain. Remember, we will still be here long after CH has gone..OTBC

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lordyfan

Friday, October 19, 2012
Funny that, a non- r****t comment ethered twice. billythebookie succeeded in getting a few r*****t ones thro` in the not so distant past. That tells me something......

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Mad Brewer

Friday, October 19, 2012