CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI called for ‘massive change in football’ in order to end racism in the sport.
The Chelsea winger, 20, sat down with Paul Canoville, the Blues’ first black player, to discuss their own experiences.
Callum Hudson-Odoi says big changes need to be made to eradicate racism in footballCredit: Beats by Dre and Chelsea FC
The current Chelsea winger sat down with former Chelsea winger Paul Canoville to share their experiences Credit: Beats by Dre and Chelsea FC
And the youngster says it is time to start seeing decisions made to eradicate the vile abuse – in stadiums, in public and on social media.
In the conversation, supported by Beats by Dr Dre’s You Love Me campaign celebrating black culture and resilience, Hudson-Odoi said: “There’s got to be a massive change.
“We keep saying it day in day out, we’ve got to change something in football because you don’t want to feel that kind of way about anything.
“Whether it’s in the stadium and you’re hearing racist abuse, or you’re on social media and you’re seeing racial abuse – you shouldn’t be hearing that at all.
“Our skin colour should never affect football. I love my colour, I love being black.”
On dealing with racists, he added: “You want to look at them and give them a reaction.
“But sometimes you giving them a reaction makes them feel like, ‘We want to do more – we want to carry on doing it to you because you’re giving us what we want. You’re giving us that reaction that we’re winning.’”
Hudson-Odoi was racially abused on his first senior start for England in Montenegro last year.
Canoville was the first black player to play for the Blues, spending five years at the club in the early 1980sCredit: Beats by Dre and Chelsea FC
Home supporters directed a number of monkey chants at him and his team-mates including Raheem Sterling and Danny Rose.
But he praised trailblazers such as Canoville for the work they have done to help break down barriers in society.
The academy graduate said: “I really appreciate the way you handled your situation.
“You made a big statement for everyone to understand that black players can come through, make a name for themselves and be proud of their skin colour.”
Canoville, 58, made his Blues debut in April 1982 but was not accepted by many of the Stamford Bridge supporters simply because he was black.
And the fan base have been involved in high-profile incidents more recently involving Sterling, Mo Salah and a black commuter on the Paris Metro.
In July, so-called Chelsea supporters then targeted Tammy Abraham after defeat to Sheffield United despite the ongoing support for the Black Lives Matter movement from football.
Canoville told Hudson-Odoi about his experiences when he got his first run-out for the club: “That day was a surprise that shocked me and knocked me for six.
Canoville opened up on the abuse he suffered from his own supportersCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty
Hudson-Odoi was targeted by racists during England’s game in Montenegro last yearCredit: AP:Associated Press
“As a young black lad who was warming up after being given the nod from his manager and thinking, ‘Yeah I’m ready, I’m going to strip off,’ and then I hear this racist abuse.
“It does affect you because I went home after thinking, ‘What did I do wrong? What can I do better?’
“For me, it’s what my parents went through. I was proud to be black. It was so difficult when they came over on the Windrush that my mum wanted to better herself and found it difficult.
“This [colour of my skin] shouldn’t have to get in the way. I just don’t understand it and that still continues to this very day.”
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
Callum Hudson-Odoi shows off skills as he trains with Chelsea
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
