English football still has a problem with race – but not among the players

The Guardian



The controversy generated by pictures of black and white England Under-21 players lunching at separate tables, and also forming separate groups in the swimming pool and on the exercise bikes, is a powerful reminder that issues connected with everyday behaviour in a multiracial society have not been resolved and might never be.



The pictures do suggest that the behaviour of football players has not moved on since the 80s. Back then Garth Crooks, who as a player suffered horrendous racial abuse from fans, was asked by a fellow Tottenham team mate at a social gathering: “Why do you blacks always stick together?” To which Crooks responded: “Why do you whites always stick together? I always see Bryan Robson alongside Ray Wilkins not next to Viv Anderson or John Barnes?”



Back then, with football in denial about race, Crooks laughed it off. Now the reaction of the football authorities shows how sensitive the subject has become, as exemplified in the response of Gareth Southgate, who manages the Under-21 team. After emphasising that football can break through racial barriers he turned on the media, saying: “I’m looking at a room of journalists and it’s not very multicultural.”