England Under-21 striker Wilfried Zaha is adamant that lengthier bans need to be implemented in football in order for racism to be eradicated from the sport.
The Crystal Palace forward was part of the Three Lions side that witnessed Danny Rose targeted with racial abuse by Serbia fans during their Euro 2013 qualifying encounter, before a mass brawl between the two squads broke out.
UEFA have since opened disciplinary action against both nations, but Zaha insists that more needs to be done by anti-racism organisations such as Kick It Out.
“Really, more needs to be done,” Zaha told Tibs News. “Wearing tops and getting things trending on Twitter isn’t really making a difference because people still feel they can do what they like and get away with it.
“When we got there [to Serbia], it was everything that we expected. We got monkey noises from the crowd from the beginning of the game, them throwing rocks, coins and all sorts at us while we were warming, and during the game we were just getting smashed and fouled the whole time.
“Fans think they can say what they like to you on Twitter and just get away with it, so I think there is more that needs to be done, a lot more.”
While action has been taken against Liverpool hitman Luis Suarez and Chelsea captain John Terry who have been found guilty of racial abuse, Zaha believes that the punishments that are handed out need to be more severe.
“From a footballing perspective, people should just get banned more. Stuff should get taken more seriously so people won’t think to do it again. We need worse consequences than the ones that we give,” added Zaha.
“Serbia did the same thing to the England Under-19’s and all they got was a £16,000 fine, that’s all for a country. I don’t think that’s enough, there should be worse things happening.”
While he acknowledges that racism is being slowly removed from the English game, the 19-year-old admits that he has been the victim of racial abuse in this country.
‘The only time where I have ever experienced a bit of abuse was at a Millwall game from the fans, but I never really let it get me down to be honest because I don’t mind if there are a few bitter fans, I just carry on doing what I’m doing.”
Recent reports state that Rio Ferdinand is looking to create a ‘black players’ union with the working title of ‘The Federation of Black Players” after his recent protest against wearing a Kick It Out t-shirt, claiming that the group does not do enough to fight against racism.
However, Zaha isn’t so sure that staring up a breakaway faction is the right thing to do, and would prefer to not get too involved with the issue.
“I don’t know, I’m 50/50 on it because the kind of abuse I got from Serbia makes me think that it’s not acceptable at all.
“If he think’s it is necessary to make his own group then he should do it. But I think he should just let people get on with what they’re doing So on that point, I wouldn’t mind helping him out on it.
“On the other hand I would just like to not get involved in it basically. I’d rather just let them see what is going on and sort it out for themselves.”
Zaha has been recently linked with a move to boyhood club Arsenal.
For the full interview, click the link below:
Wilfried Zaha Interview
Matt Cotton
@FindingCotton
