News in 2006

07th April 2006

Gills take stance over racism on terraces

Gillingham Football Club are supporting a call to abandon games if players are racially abused from the terraces.

This stance is also the hard line being taken by Euro MP Richard Ashworth who is supporting a new resolution which gives referees the power to pull players from the field if racist taunts are heard from the terraces.

Gillingham are discussing the issue further with Mr Ashworth at the Priestfield stadium today.

If the resolution were to be introduced it would dramatically change the game in some parts of the world where racism is rife.

Mr Ashworth, who is pushing for UEFA to adopt the resolution, said: "There can’t be half-measures when dealing with abusive bigots who shame football by shouting contemptible slurs against black players.

"I want to emphasise to everyone in football that there is a strong cross-party political will behind this hard-line resolution."

Mr Ashworth is meeting meet Gillingham manager Ronnie Jepson and goalkeeper Jason Brown at Priestfield to discuss the resolution and another initiative to combat racism.

Source: Kent Online