We were the first club to appoint a black manager I believe

comment by Gazza (U1266)
posted about a minute ago
Though I do think the actions of clubs matter. For instance Juventus not punishing or even publicly rebuking (as far as I am aware) Bonucci and Allegri for saying that Kean bore some responsibility for the racist abuse he received during a Serie A game sends a pretty clear message about where the club's priorities are.
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I think they do matter now much more so because their actions are so much more transparent via social media and media and they are under more scrutiny.

But if clubs like Juventus are getting away with that, then does that say more about them or more about Italian society?

In the Premier League*

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comment by Gazza (U1266)
posted less than a minute ago
No I haven't. Is it good?
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Its depressing and hard hitting, is it a masterpiece? possibly not, but worth a read for insight at that time. I was left feeling quite sad after reading it.

Canoville still hasn't revealed the team mate that abused him. There were rumours it was Dixon but I think Paul squashed those

My understanding was it was quite a big name as well. Not Nevin too thankfully

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

Paul Canovilles story is one of extreme racist bigotry, shattering career-ending injury, a decline into drug abuse, battles against cancer, family tragedy and a determination to beat the odds. Canoville was Chelsea's first black first-team player, making his debut in 1982. But as he warmed up on the touchline, his own supporters began chanting 'We don't want the n-gger!' The racist bile continued whenever he played, but within a year he had won over the terraces with his explosive pace and skill. Canoville fell out with the Chelsea board and moved to Reading in 1986, where injury suddenly ended his career at the age of 24. This started a downward spiral including the death of his baby in his arms, two bouts of life-threatening lymph cancer, drug abuse and homelessness. But Canoville fought back. In this explosive and shocking story, Paul finally explains why, despite everything, he is more positive than ever and has remained a fervent Chelsea fan all his life. This is a story of hope - eventually - overcoming adversity.

If it was Dixon he probably apologised and Canoville doesnt want to shame him

comment by SWTN - Judas is number 1 (U7916)
posted less than a minute ago
Paul Canovilles story is one of extreme racist bigotry, shattering career-ending injury, a decline into drug abuse, battles against cancer, family tragedy and a determination to beat the odds. Canoville was Chelsea's first black first-team player, making his debut in 1982. But as he warmed up on the touchline, his own supporters began chanting 'We don't want the n-gger!' The racist bile continued whenever he played, but within a year he had won over the terraces with his explosive pace and skill. Canoville fell out with the Chelsea board and moved to Reading in 1986, where injury suddenly ended his career at the age of 24. This started a downward spiral including the death of his baby in his arms, two bouts of life-threatening lymph cancer, drug abuse and homelessness. But Canoville fought back. In this explosive and shocking story, Paul finally explains why, despite everything, he is more positive than ever and has remained a fervent Chelsea fan all his life. This is a story of hope - eventually - overcoming adversity.
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I agree, but a club would need both government and governing body support too.

Is that happening in Italy? I suspect not.

The sense I get from the reactions in Italy is that the players and club dont want to say anything against their fans regardless of what the do

They do*

If a British club failed to take action agst a blatant act of racism, not only would it face severe consequences from the FA, it would probably receive condemnation in Parliament from both sides of the house.

comment by Gazza (U1266)
posted 5 minutes ago
It says a lot about them and Italian society at the same time. But if you subscribe to the notion that football clubs have prominent roles in their communities, then they can have a role in shaping public perceptions.
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I agree, but a club would need both government and governing body support too.

Is that happening in Italy? I suspect not.

comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 2 minutes ago
The sense I get from the reactions in Italy is that the players and club dont want to say anything against their fans regardless of what the do
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Quite possibly..................dare i say this, becuase i have no evidence to support this view, but i may speculate that Italy still has a strong culture of organised crime at its roots....................and if that is the case then there is also racism at its roots

I hope I have not upset Superb with this purely speculative post....

I apologise if i have

Um Italys history with race is interesting to say the least

A lot of the current issues have to do with migration over the last few decades like with the rest of europe

Be nice if 4za was here to play apologist

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

comment by Gazza (U1266)
posted 25 minutes ago
You're probably right that the Italian FA are also not doing enough to combat racism.

I may be wrong about this but isn't there also a general insult that Inter are not a "real" Italian team because they have traditionally always had a large foreign contingent.
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not aware of that

Quite looking forward to City v Spurs game tonight.

after their epic CL games last season, it could be a fun watch

Anyone remember when the sporting media including the BBC referred to us as the "foreign legion". As little as 19 years ago:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/758868.stm

Good to know that the sporting media in this country have cleaned up their xenophobic ways since then.

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/videos/v/2019/08/16/exclusive--our-new-no-10-d5N2pjaTE67RInX2RCJY1HpbeJB1-Yw8