RACISM RIFE CLAIMS EQUALITIES CHIEF

FOOTBALL is hiding a racism and bullying crisis, with recent allegations just the “tip of the iceberg”.

That is the claim made by Lord Herman Ouseley, chairman of equality campaigners Kick It Out.

Newcastle are investigating Under-23 boss Peter Beardsley, while the conduct of former Chelsea coach Graham Rix and other ex-blues employees is the subject of a reported civil claim by players involved in the youth team in the 1990s, who make accusations of physical and verbal attacks and racist slurs.

“The fact is a lot of people who make complaints still feel let down,” said Ouseley. “It’s a tip of the iceberg. It just tells you what a lot of people have gone through over the years – across the entirety of football.

“It’s very difficult to comment on individual cases once a process is in place. But, in general, there is a problem with the way inquiries are conducted, support given to complainants.”

This week the FA announced investment of £180million a year to address equality and racism at every level of the game. It follows the organisation’s own racism crisis involving two of their coaches and England women’s team whistleblower Eniola Aluko (inset). The FA are monitoring the Newcastle case.

But Ouseley insisted Kick It Out still received reports of cases where players were too scared to speak out.

He said: “There is a fear factor with professional football which has existed in the dressing room and on the training ground. “Certainly anyone with aspirations as a black person to play professional football has kept their heads down and tried to avoid taking on the established status quo of challenging the coach, the trainer or manager.

“They haven’t gone outside that arena to try to get redress because where they have, and where they know of anyone challenging, they have had their heads chopped off. That’s been the death of their careers.

“There are still people who will be looking for help and can’t get it. They don’t know where to go, even though we have made great inroads in telling people to come to us. So people still suffer in silence. That’s a tragedy.”

Newcastle are close to completing their inquiry following complaints of unfair treatment – backed up by written statements – from a number of players. Beardsley “categorically denies” the allegations.

Chelsea are investigating the claims of former youth team players, and two of them have been interviewed by the FA safeguarding team.

SEE NEWS PAGES 16&17