Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder would back his players if they walked off the pitch after being racially abused
Wilder clarified his position on the matter in light of events at Tottenham Hotspur yesterday, when Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger reported hearing monkey chants in the crowd during his team’s win over Jose Mourinho’s side.
Although that has prompted calls for a government inquiry into football’s issue with racism, Wilder insisted it is a problem for “society as a whole” to tackle and called on right-minded fans to play their part as well by “self-policing” their own club’s stadiums.
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Hide Ad“I’d support whatever they want to do,” Wilder responded, when asked if players should return to the dressing rooms if they hear racist comments, noises or songs. “It’s a difficult decision.
“But if the collective wanted to do that, individually or collectively, then they would have my support, yes, of course.”
Three announcements were made over the public address system at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when, as the visitors from Stamford Bridge closed-in on a 2-0 victory, Rudiger informed his captain Cesar Azpilicueta about an incident in the home section of the ground. The Spaniard then relayed his colleague’s comments to the match referee, Anthony Taylor, who in turn asked for FIFA protocols relating to such matters to be implemented.
The Professional Footballers’ Association has since issued a statement urging “An All-Party Group at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to address this urgent issue.”
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Hide AdWilder, speaking ahead of United’s game against Watford on Boxing Day, said: “I always thought it was society, and then people like that attach themselves to clubs and grounds.
“But if you are sat next to someone who is doing it, just out them. Be brave. Police your own grounds and your own clubs.”
“You can zoom in on seats now, you can isolate and punish,” he added. “If people are coming out with this, out them.”