Cameron vows to prevent football returning to 'dark days' of racism

The UK prime minister hosts a summit of of politicians, football leaders and anti-racism campaigners today to tackle the renewed problem.

LONDON // David Cameron, the UK prime minister, pledged action to prevent the "dark days" of racism returning to football when he hosted a summit today to tackle the renewed problem.

The Downing Street gathering of politicians, football leaders and anti-racism campaigners comes after a spate of high-profile racism cases this season involving players and fans in English Premier League matches broadcast around the world.

"We simply cannot brush this under the carpet," Mr Cameron wrote in today's edition of The Sun newspaper. "I've no doubt that football will crack this problem - and the government stands ready to do anything it can to help."

The most serious incident will be tried in court, with Chelsea and England defender John Terry charged with racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a match in October. The case led to Terry being stripped of the England captaincy — a move opposed by coach Fabio Capello, who resigned in protest.

"There was a time when football in our country was badly infected with racism. It took great effort from everyone involved in the game to kick it out," Mr Cameron said. "It's an achievement not every country has managed to make ... but recently racism has come back into the spotlight with cases involving some of the most famous players in football, one of which has led to the resignation of the England manager.

"We will not let recent events drag us back to the bad old days of the past."

Liverpool, the 18-time English champions, came under fire for their support of striker Luis Suarez when he was banned for eight matches for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

Liverpool only apologised earlier this month after a widely condemned incident in which Suarez refused to shake hands with Evra, who is black, in their first meeting since the confrontation during an October match.

"I want to be sure that when my children see their sporting heroes play, they aren't let down by foul, racist or violent behaviour on or off the pitch," Mr Cameron said. "Footballers can be great role models who the public admire. The power of sport - and sporting personalities - to do good is immense.

"But it can also go the other way. If children see bad behaviour on the television or at the stadium, they may copy it and reproduce it in the playground."

The government will give $4.7 million (Dh17.3m) toward the English Football Association's new coaching centre in a bid to encourage more people from ethnic minorities to become managers. There are currently no black managers in the Premier League.

Mr Cameron said yesterday's meeting is designed to "reaffirm our vigilance against racism - and all forms of discrimination".