Prominent black leaders condemn Liverpool F.C.

Some of Britain's most influential black leaders have today criticised the way Liverpool have handled the Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez race row.
 



In an open letter to the football club, the group, which includes Gloria Hyatt MBE and Lee Jasper, has called for Liverpool F.C. to accept the findings of the FA investigation that concluded that Suarez had racially abused Evra and offer an immediate and unreserved apology to Evra.
 
The group has also accused the club of colluding with racism by seeking to dismiss the FA's findings and racially aggravating this sensitive issue by inappropriately and misguidedly showing public team support for Suarez.
 
Hyatt MBE said; “Liverpool Football Club has presided over the worst incident of racism in football seen in recent years. Their misguided handling of the Suarez and Evra Saga has let down all of those in the city who work hard to challenge racism and make Liverpool a better place to live for everyone."
 
National human rights and race equality campaigner Lee Jasper added; “The club failed the city, the nation as a whole and in particular Britain's black communities. Their abysmal lack of leadership on these issues has given a green light to racism. They must make urgent reparations and make a clear and unequivocal apology.”

Here is the statement in full:

Liverpool Football Club has come under fierce criticism from an influential group of high profile, local and national black leaders, alongside a host of anti racist organisations.
 
The group have written an open letter delivered today accusing LFC and manager Kenny Dalglish of grossly mishandling the Saurez/Patrice Evra affair contributing to the incitement of racism in football and wider society. We know that they have had good advice to assist them and refused to take it choosing instead to continue on in this manner.
 
The group called on LFC to accept the findings of the FA investigation that concluded that Suarez had racially abused Evra and offer an immediate and unreserved apology to Evra.
 
LFC is accused of colluding with racism by seeking to dismiss the FA's findings and racially aggravating this sensitive issue by inappropriately and misguidedly showing public team support for Suarez post the publication of the FA's investigative report into these matters. The refusal of Suarez to shake Evra's hand was a further incitement of racism.
 
The group called on LFC to acknowledge the implicit racism involved and issue a statement with other civic leaders committing themselves to opposing racism and to commit to organise a conference on racism in football.
 
Gloria Hyatt MBE said
 
“Liverpool Football Club has presided over the worst incident of racism in football seen in recent years. Their misguided handling of the Suarez and Evra Saga has let down all of those in the city who work hard to challenge racism and make Liverpool a better place to live for everyone."
 
Lee Jasper a national human rights and race equality campaigner said
 
“The club including the owners, the players and the manager need to realise the enormous damage caused by their reluctance and obdurate behaviour. Kenny Daglish used to manage Celtic he ought to know the importance of stamping out bigotry. The club failed the city, the nation as a whole and in particular Britain's black communities. Their abysmal lack of leadership on these issues has given a green light to racism. They must make urgent reparations and make a clear and unequivocal apology".

 
For more on racism and football, tune in to episode 9 of London360, which airs on Monday 27^th February at 7am, 12pm, 7pm and midnight on the Community Channel (SKY channel 539, Virgin 233 and Freeview 87). You can also watch the feature anytime on YouTube from next week.