Racist fans: Roma FC fined a paltry 50k Euros

Last Sunday’s match between Milan and Roma at the San Siro in Milan had to be halted because of repeated racial abuse towards Milan’s Black players including Mario Balotelli, and Kevin-Prince Boateng. The referee took the players off the field whilst an announcement was made to those fans who were chanting racial abuse.

The game resumed after a three minute break. And yesterday the Italian footballing authorities penalised Roma with a fine of 50k Euros. The fine is unlikely to be a deterrent although it did come with a warning that further racial transgressions would result in future games being placed behind closed doors, which means that no fans would be permitted.

Although, one Italian official said:

They [fines] are becoming a solution that does not solve the problem, because certain people don't care that their clubs are being fined €10,000 or €20,000. In addition, this kind of fine does not act as a punitive sanction."

UEFA’s chief, Sepp Blatter has said that clubs involved in racial abuse that occur in UEFA matches  could face a ten match ban.

Roma football club has had particular problems with Far Right groups infiltrating its support base. Late last year, Spurs fans were attacked in Rome by individuals thought to be Lazio supporters.  However, two of the men convicted turned out to be Roma supporters.

Football, with its international reach must get tough with the racist thugs. A fine of 50k Euros unfortunately shows a clear lack of intent.

Sadly, closer to home, the Football Association – FA - are about to reject Sepp Blatter’s ten game ban proposals, instead placing an alternative  five match ban for clubs whose fans racially abuse Black players.

Lord Herman Ouseley, the chairman of ‘Kick It Out’ racism is calling for stronger deterrents:

If Uefa are prepared to go with 10 – let's go with 10 [in England],"

Ouseley said:

We will look stupid if Uefa go with 10 and we go with five. It will not add any credibility to the FA's stance it has zero tolerance on this matter. I think it's very important they build credibility and send out a very confident message that will make people feel they can complain and something will be done."

Simon Woolley