THIS IS DISGRACEFUL.

Like the Football Association in this country, I am shocked and appalled at the racist remarks said by some so-called fans of English Football.

Both Ashley Cole and Ashley Young must be as devastated as me when England crashed out of Euro 2012.

The one thing all three of us share is to be proud to call ourselves English and to have a passport saying we are members of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The FA is right to attack the racist remarks by these so-called fans, which is being displayed on Twitter.

Gone are the days when black footballers have to put up with bananas being thrown on the pitch when playing, thanks to diligent stewards, cameras and CRB safety officials who will spot such despicable people at English football matches.

But whether we want to admit it or not, this bad behaviour will only stop when we accept it is our responsibility to put our foot down and make it clear we will not associate ourselves with people who behave like this.

It’s unpatriotic, idiotic, crude and downright wrong to attack the Ashleys like this, especially since the tournament has moved on to the next stage – congratulations to Italy for getting through to the semi-finals as they were the better team.

We know England have never been good at penalties. There is Gareth Southgate, a man whose penalty was saved against Germany during the Euro 96, yet he is clearly doing well for himself.

There wasn’t any racist remarks said against him, only women willing to give their shoulder for him to cry on and no doubt more than that!

For anyone else who is foolish enough to believe what has been said against Mr Cole and Mr Young was harmless banter, here’s what sections 17, 18 and 19 of the UK's Public Order Act 1996 has to say about this:



Section 17. Meaning of racial hatred.

In this Part racial hatred means hatred against a group of persons defined by reference to colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origins.

This explains acts intended or likely to stir up racial hatred


Section 18. Use of words or behaviour or display of written material.

(1 ) A person who uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or displays any written material which is threatening, abusive or insulting, is guilty of an offence if—

(a) he intends thereby to stir up racial hatred, or

(b) having regard to all the circumstances racial hatred is likely to be stirred up thereby.

(2) An offence under this section may be committed in a public or a private place, except that no offence is committed where the words or behaviour are used, or the written material is displayed, by a person inside a dwelling and are not heard or seen except by other persons in that or another dwelling.

(3) A constable may arrest without warrant anyone he reasonably suspects is committing an offence under this section.

(4) In proceedings for an offence under this section it is a defence for the accused to prove that he was inside a dwelling and had no reason to believe that the words or behaviour used, or the written material displayed, would be heard or seen by a person outside that or any other dwelling.


Section 19. Publishing or distributing written material.

(1) A person who publishes or distributes written material which is threatening, abusive or insulting is guilty of an offence if—

(a) he intends thereby to stir up racial hatred, or

(b) having regard to all the circumstances racial hatred is likely to be stirred up thereby.



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Andria

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