Brendon Batson fears racism in football will only get worse… and says it’s society’s problem to resolve

Brendon Batson fears racism in football will only get worse… and says it’s society’s problem to resolve
Brendon Batson fears the issue of racism in football is only going to get worse, but insists it is society’s problem to resolve.Batson was one of the leading pioneers in the 1970s who helped break down the racial barriers when he played for Arsenal, Cambridge United and West Brom.4

Brendon Batson has been saddened by the latest ugly high-profile incidents in football

4

Batson, pictured playing for Arsenal, later became part of the famous Three Degrees at West Brom alongside Cyrille Regis and Laurie Cunningham and helped break down barriers for black players

However, the PFA trustee has been saddened by the recent high-profile incidents which are putting a stain on the game.A fortnight ago a banana was thrown towards Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyangafter he scored a first-half penalty in their 4-2 win over arch-rivals Tottenham.Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling was then allegedly racially abused by a Chelsea fan.And speaking at the latest London Baggies event, Batson is not optimistic things are going to improve.He said: I was in Paris when the news broke.“It’s sad we are still having to talk about the issue of racism.Its not going to just go away, in fact I can only see it getting worse.“With that said I do think it’s an unfair burden on football it is primarily societys problem.”4

Raheem Sterling, left, was allegedly racially abused last Saturday at Stamford Bridge

4

Blues fan Colin Wing (circled) claims he did not racially abuse Sterling, but has apologised for the words he did use

Batson recalled the type of abuse he encountered not just on a football pitch, but even at school, on a daily basis as a youngster.He added: When I was growing up in Tilbury as a nine-year old I was called a chocolate drop.“I didn’t know what that meant initially, but one day I was called it at school and my siblings heard and all hell broke lose.For the next four years I was always fighting at school, as were my siblings, as we were constantly pelted with racist abuse – that was the norm.”While improvements have been made in society, and indeed football, in regards to the regularity and severity of the racism Batson and co endured, the 65-year-old believes there is increased hatred towards certain groups nowadays.He explained: I have family friends who get spat at and mocked over their head scarves, all because of their religion.That isn’t right and to be honest it’s a very worrying state of affairs.“Im very fearful of whats around the corner as things have got even worse over the last few years – both on and off the football pitch.Batson revealed his admiration for England forward Sterling for taking a stand – and says he wishes other people in authority in this country decided to tackle this issue head first and take the necessary action.I admire Raheem for taking a stand and saying enough is enough,” he commented.Its one mans word against another at the end of the day, so it will be hard to prove. “How do you go about proving something where the people in close proximity of this claim they didn’t hear anything?The fact is football isnt the answer to resolve this problem, it is societys issue.I dont think that these anti-racism campaigns, no matter how hard they persevere and the commendable work they do, change peoples views.They’ve got to want to change themselves.“Where are these politicians when it comes to all of this? They say nothing, which isn’t a surprise sadly.”

---

West Ham vs Arsenal: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and teams for Premier League match Kick-off at the London Stadium is at 12.30pm. live stream, kick-off time and team news . Gossip.
West Ham vs Arsenal: TV channel, live stream, kick-off time

---

Cesc Fabregas completed his move from Chelsea to Ligue 1 strugglers Monaco on Friday to reunite with his old Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry. Fabregas put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year
Cesc Fabregas completes move from Chelsea to reunite with

---

Rochdale: Keith Hill sacked as manager by League One club

---

'I want to try to prove to people that Americans can do it': Chelsea's new £58m signing Christian Pulisic insists US stars can thrive in Premier League. Chelsea's £58m man Christian Pulisic
~ Chelsea sign Christian Pulisic: £58m winger NOT a direct

---

Everton 2-0 Chelsea: Maurizio Sarri looks lost at Goodison Park as Toffees dent Chelsea's Champions League hopes Goals from Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson saw Everton collect all three points
Everton 2-0 Chelsea: Maurizio Sarri looks lost at Goodison

---

Celtic v Rangers Prediction: Celtic will be aiming to further stamp their authority in this title race when they face Rangers at Parkhead. But this is the Old Firm derby where form goes out of
Celtic team news: Predicted 4-2-3-1 lineup to face Kilmarnock

---

Christensen to stay at Chelsea. Andreas Christensen has confirmed he plans to stay at Stamford Bridge for next season. The Dane had been frustrated under Maurizio Sarri and he had made just one Premier League appearances before January. He became a more regular feature in the second half of the campaign and is happy to stay with the Blues.
Chelsea transfer ban leaves fringe players trapped as Andreas

---

Unai Emery has explained why he left Mesut Ozil out of Arsenal's travelling squad for Thursday night's Europa League tie with BATE Borisov in Belarus.. Arsenal announced on Tuesday morning that Ozil, along with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Granit Xhaka and Sokartis, had returned to full training after missing out against Huddersfield on Saturday due to illness.

---

Fixed odds & betting on all the major sporting events including UEFA Nations League, UEFA Euro 2020 and Irish Premier Division. Bet In-Play Cash Out New Customer Bonus
⚽️Sports News & Bets (@roundclocksport) | Twitter

---

Arsenal star man Alexis Sanchez has 'finalised' deal to sign

---

The Premier League relegation battle hots up this weekend as Brighton face Manchester United on Friday Night Football , Stoke take on Crystal Palace in Saturday's early kick-off, and Huddersfield
Premier League relegation battle: Which teams are set for the

---

See more of Spinning Sports on Facebook. Arsenal fans miss Aaron Ramsey already as Juventus-bound midfielder stars against Newcastle.
Arsenal news: Aaron Ramsey has fans in TEARS as Matteo

---

Tottenham news: Spurs must look to kill off Manchester City

---

Liverpool news: Likeliness of Reds winning the Premier League title revealed as bookies slash their odds Wednesday, 30 January 2019 The likeliness of Liverpool winning the Premier League has increased further after Manchester City's defeat to Newcastle United.
Liverpool news: Reds' hopes of winning Premier League title

---