Chelsea Racists Disgrace At Highbury + Part 2

Henry
By J. J. Cronin
December 14 2004

Racism is not just a Spanish problem, it happens here too, and the latest example was heard at Highbury today. There was little evidence of action by the authorities.

Chelsea Racists sang from the Clock End

Vieira oh oh

He comes from Senegal

and ended it with a racist line of their own. I am not going to repeat the final line here, because no doubt these morons will find it funny and be encouraged. Although several policemen were nearby no action was taken.

The foul song finally petered out after Arsenal Fans next to the away section remonstrated with the perpetrators.

If any organisation fighting racism wishes to contact Arsenal Times about this then they will be given further information.

 Part 2

Some fans have tried to discredit this story, however one Chelsea fan gave the game away by correctly providing the final line. Others on other boards cannot see what is racist about suggesting a player is descended from cannibals. Haven't we come a long way. The issue here is racism, not who has the better fans or teams. There are racists at Arsenal too we must all be vigilant. Finally there is a message on the board below from a Chelsea fan which I will leave here to make the final point, and thank him for his reasoned debate.

Author: SWJ  Date:   13-12-04 00:18 I am a Chelsea fan. I was in the Clock end. I know exactly what song he is referring to. Some fans did sing it. I am an employment lawyer specialising in discrimination law. The song included a race-based stereotype which would have been offensive to anyone of Viera's nationality. I don't think we are owed an apology. I'm certainly sorry it happened. To my mind the chant was intended to be humorous rather than malicious. It was more David Brent than Klu Klax Klan. However, as I spend half my life telling clients that the fact that you didn't mean any harm doesn't mean that the "joke" is not discriminatory.