Published: 16 February, 2012
by TONY DALLAS

ANYONE who witnessed the tutorial given to Newcastle at the Lane on Saturday evening in the 5-0 drubbing could not help but be impressed.

It was sexy football and long may it last.

The whole Luis Suarez affair and subsequent rhetoric have left an offensive odour. Liverpool on hearing the word “guilty” should have disciplined Suarez themselves.

They didn’t. 

Why?

Against Man United on Saturday, English football had the chance to show the world they’d got their house in order by ordering Suarez to shake Patrice Evra’s hand. Suarez didn’t.

Why?

Now ex-players and pundits are questioning the very idea of shaking hands before the game.
Why?

It was never questioned before the resurgence of racism in our game.

This highlights how flawed and institutionally racist football is in this country.

Very few black managers, none in the top leagues.

The only black referee I’ve ever seen was Uriah Rennie.

How many black assistant referees, owners, chairman, vice-chairman, board members, youth team managers, scouts or physiotherapists are there?

The football family is disproportionate, and when the only public show of remorse is snubbed and its merits questioned, it’s time for a debate.

For a sport that is deemed to be global, I ask you: am I wrong?

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