UEFA dictate: It’s better to be a racist than be late

The governing body for European football, UEFA, has clearly shown what it thinks of racism: not much. In fact, as far as punishments go, a football team arriving a minute late on to the pitch will be sanctioned greater than if their supporters indulge in constant racist abuse.

Manchester City complained to UEFA that the Porto fans hurled racist abuse, including monkey chanting at Mario Barotelli. Although Porto contested the claim, the compliant was upheld. The sanction, however, -20 k euro fine - was the same sanction given to the Serbian team during a under 21 encounter with England in 2008. A week before the Porto sanction EUFA had imposed Manchester City with a fine of 30K Euro for returning to the pitch a minute late than their scheduled time.

Football clubs that play in these international competitions will never take racism seriously until their governing body does. When the Spanish Authorities fined their then manager Luis Arrogan for calling Thierry Henry ‘a Black piece of shit’, he was fined less than thousand pounds and he refused to pay it.

Imagine if clubs were fined £5 million, docked points in those mini league situations, and individuals banned like Luis Suarez was for eight matches. Racism on the pitch and the terraces would all but disappear.

I’m not looking forward with glee to the European championships in the Ukraine. If I could afford it, I wouldn’t go precisely because the authorities barely acknowledge the Far Right groups that have already threatened Black football supporters, much less guaranteed their safety.

UEFA must start showing leadership and take a firm position against racism in European football. Slapping clubs on the wrist sends a clear message that this is not something they need to worry about, but ‘woe be tide’ if you’re late on the pitch.

Simon Woolley