Irish soccer legend Paul McGrath has called on Uefa to take a tougher stance against racism in the game.
Speaking at the launch of the FAI’s intercultural programme, the ex-Manchester United and Aston Villa defender pointed to inaction over racist comments made by Spanish manager José Luis Aragonés.
He said: “The Spanish manager made racist comments about Thierry Henry and I don’t think too much was done about it. That man should not be in football, as far as I’m concerned.”
McGrath also hit out at racist chanting by Serbian fans at the recent Serbia versus England under-21 game. The former Ireland international told Metro Eireann: “If fans are going to chant things at players just because they’re Black then someone should stamp down hard on that.”
He continued: “I don’t know why the authorities don’t do more. I think maybe they’re not tough enough to bring the full weight of their authority to bear on people who are obviously racist.”
He also said that players engaging in racist behaviour should be dealt with more seriously. “If someone uses that sort of [racist] language then they should be banned. I don’t think they should have their career ruined, but they should be punished in a way that would make them think twice about using that language again.”
McGrath commended the FAI for taking steps towards tackling racism in Irish soccer. He added: “This is a very important thing in football at the moment. It’s a global game and we should all be able to play without having insults thrown at us.”
He also told the gathered press of the abuse he experienced during his playing days.
“I have suffered over the years but it was more accepted in my time,” he recalls. “In Ireland there wasn’t so many different races playing, and I just accepted it as part of being different. But now, I wouldn’t be accepting it.
“If I was playing today and I got that sort of treatment I would make sure the authorities knew about it. The problem I have now is that the authorities know about it but don’t seem to do anything about it.”
McGrath also expressed his delight at the diverse Ireland he found when he moved home from England at the end of his playing career.
“It’s a new Ireland, and I’ve been home five years now and I love it,” he said. “There are still pockets of racism that probably will never be fully eradicated, but initiatives like this will help.”
