JOSE MOURINHO has urged Spurs fans to expose any racists in the stands.
Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger claimed he was the victim of vile monkey chants in Sunday’s win at Tottenham, while police arrested a Blues supporter for allegedly racially abusing Spurs’ Son Heung-min.
Jose Mourinho wants to eradicate any form of discrimination from the gameCredit: Getty – Contributor
The Professional Footballers’ Association now want FIVE-YEAR jail terms for hate crimes.
And Tottenham boss Mourinho told the club’s fans: “Look to the guy to the left, to the right. Listen to the guy behind and in front.
“And if anyone has any manifestation of racism, try to be in there in between them to kill it immediately.
“I feel very sorry every time something like this happens.
“Do we need help? Yes. But football and society need help. We need to eradicate any form of discrimination.”
The FA yesterday launched an investigation into the latest racist scandal to tarnish the game – as it emerged a Chelsea fan was arrested for allegedly racially abusing Son following complaints from fellow Blues supporters.
The Government has vowed to act if football authorities fail to tackle the growing problem.
Both Spurs and Chelsea have promised life bans for anyone found guilty and yesterday Tottenham revealed they are “exhaustively investigating” Rudiger’s allegations.
Rudiger said: “I really hope the offenders will be found and punished soon. It’s such a shame racism still exists in 2019.”
A Spurs statement read: “We are able to track every fan via the cameras and have spent many hours reviewing CCTV footage.
“We have engaged lip readers to study the footage and contacted Chelsea for further information from their players.
“The police will be reviewing our evidence. At this time, however, our findings are inconclusive.”
Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger claimed he was the victim of vile monkey chantsCredit: Sky Sports
A Chelsea fan was also arrested for allegedly racially abusing Son Heung-minCredit: AFP
Spurs star Jan Vertonghen added: “If these things are still happening it is a disgrace and we should act strongly against it.
“I can’t get my head around how people still do this. They are minority idiots — we don’t identify with these people.”
Recent Home Office figures reveal a massive 66 per cent rise in hate crimes reported at pro matches across England and Wales last season.
Of 323 reports in the past two seasons, 230 related to racism.
PFA deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes demanded “much tougher sentencing” for racists, while the union’s equalities coach, Iffy Onuora, added: “If you threw a five-year jail sentence at someone like this, that’s a deterrent right there.
“That’s a strong message that you’re not tolerating it.”
Conservative MP Damian Collins, standing for re-election as chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, urged football authorities to support racially abused players if they walk off the pitch.
He said: “Racist abuse in football grounds is already a criminal offence.
“But football should make sure players are well aware of their rights: that if they’re unhappy with the behaviour of people in the crowd, that if they choose to come off then they will be backed by the football authorities in doing so.”
Blues keeper Kepa also had a bottle thrown at him in Sunday’s 2-0 win but Mourinho defended the conduct of Spurs fans.
He added: “65,000 at the match, 64,599 were phenomenal.
“One Tottenham fan is not ‘Tottenham fans’.”
The FA have launched an investigation as Antonio Rudiger was allegedly racially abusedCredit: EPA
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho bemoans ‘harsh’ punishment after Son Heung-Min red card against Chelsea
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
