Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has added his voice to the condemnation of racism in football, urging stakeholders to do more to eliminate the vice.
Racism in sports has once again hit the news headlines after Manchester City forward Rahem Sterling was allegedly abused racially by Chelsea fans on Saturday as the two sides clashed at Stamford Bridge.
Guardional on Tuesday admitted that “Racism is everywhere, it’s not just in football.”
“We have to fight to make a better future for everyone, not just in England but everywhere.”
Following Saturday’s incident, Chelsea identified and suspended four supporters from attending matches as investigations continue.
“It is sad this happens still,” Sterling’s teammate Leroy Sane said about the alleged racial abuse of Sterling. “We are on Raheem’s side.
“He’s a strong guy, a good guy, he knows how to handle it.
“He is still focused, wants to play good football and he is focused on the game tomorrow. That’s the most important thing.”
Earlier this month, Arsenal’s Gabonese star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also became a victim of racism in football. The 29-year-old had a banana peel thrown at him in the Gunner’s game against Tottenham Hotspurs.
In May 2017, Ghanaian midfielder Sulley Muntari walked out of his then club Pescara’s game against Cagliari amid racists chants from the stands targeting him.
Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein labeled Muntari an “inspiration” for his move to leave the pitch after the referee booked him for complaining about racist chants.
Zeid urged FIFA to pay greater attention to the persistent problem of racism in games.
