Boateng alerted the ref three times. He didn't just walk off at the first sign of trouble.

Boateng did the right thing. He's got no obligation to deal with that shit.

I didn't know that. At least he gave the ref a shot at doing something. Poor from the ref.

His non actions should be investigated thoroughly. By making an example of a ref who does NOT take action the Italian FA and UEFA have a chance to make a statement.

Depressed Rex wrote:

I didn't know that. At least he gave the ref a shot at doing something. Poor from the ref.

His non actions should be investigated thoroughly. By making an example of a ref who does NOT take action the Italian FA and UEFA have a chance to make a statement.

I suspect FIFA and UEFA don't actually want games to be called off unless the situation is untenable i.e. crowd safety becomes an issue. Which is why a referee would be terrified of making that call because he'll face the dissatisfaction from those above him.

Depressed Rex wrote:

I agree with Platini, AND I agree with Collina.

This is what Platini said;
'Manchester City and Italy striker Mario Balotelli threatened to walk off the pitch if he believed he was a victim.
But Platini said: "It's a yellow card. It's not a player - Mr Balotelli - who's in charge of refereeing."'

And this is what Collina said;
'Piara said: "[Euro 2012 Respect ambassador Pierluigi] Collina was clear that if a player did approach a referee and was looking for help, that the referee would then facilitate the player leaving the field of play.'

I would like the ref to take action first by threatening to abandon the game if racist chanting, monkey sounds or what have you didn't stop, but if he isn't, for some reason, and a player feels victimized - then I think he should alert the ref first and not just leave the field. Nothing wrong there IMO.

How can the referee not be aware when these incidents occur?
It's not as if crowds whisper or send texts/emails of their abuse to the victims!

At this point and in the absence of an effective policy response or leadership from Blatter or Platini, the most important thing is that both display absolute solidarity with the victims of racism.

Blatter's response was basically "Boateng's a wimp, I mean sure racism's bad, but dude, don't walk off" - all he's showing is that he gives more of a toss about the phone calls he gets from broadcasters when a match is forfeited than he does about basic decency.

Who's surprised though? It's not the first time he's toed that particular line. His answer to dealing with racial abuse during the Evra-Suarez incident back in 2011 was this:

"He should say that this is a game. We are in a game, and at the end of the game, we shake hands, and this can happen, because we have worked so hard against racism and discrimination."

Same class act who advised gay football fans not to have sex during the World cup in Qatar, suggested that women should play in tighter clothes to make their games more attractive to a male audience, claimed that John Terry's affair would have been applauded in all Latin countries and equalled earning £12 million a year to slavery. The one bright light here is that he's already 76. The odds are in favour of the prick either dying or stepping down within the next ten years. With a bit of luck he'll do both.

Well said Klaus. Man's a reprobate.

Klaus wrote:

Same class act who advised gay football fans not to have sex during the World cup in Qatar, suggested that women should play in tighter clothes to make their games more attractive to a male audience, claimed that John Terry's affair would have been applauded in all Latin countries and equalled earning £12 million a year to slavery. The one bright light here is that he's already 76. The odds are in favour of the prick either dying or stepping down within the next ten years. With a bit of luck he'll do both.

Dunno Klaus- His mentor Havelange was 82 when he stepped down and is still breathing at 92 thanks to the blood and stem cells of unborn babies which sustains him, wouldn't surprise me if Blatter is receiving the same treatment.

Klaus wrote:

The odds are in favour of the prick either dying or stepping down within the next ten years. With a bit of luck he'll do both.

A bit harsh even as a joke.

I hate him too though. I like the idea of ex players being put in those positions but Platini has been poor. I like Beckenbauer.

I think Klaus is talking about Sepp Blatter there.

Yeah, I was talking about Blatter. And I wasn't joking.

I know Klaus was talking about Sepp Blatter.

I was just adding that I like ex players being put in high positions in UEFA and FIFA. Platini has been poor though. Prefer Beckenbauer.

Unless Blatter's power is curtailed, whoever is in Platini's position would have to continue to toe the "party" line or risk losing the cushy number they are on!

blatter's a shithead and boateng and his teammates had every right to walk off. no one has to put up with that crap.

Well at the end of the day it's a workplace for the players, and in most countries that sort of treatment is illegal.

Biggus wrote:

Well at the end of the day it's a workplace for the players, and in most countries that sort of treatment is illegal.

Interesting take.

Certainly in the "professional world" no one would/should tolerate working for clients who are blatantly racist.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22093191

Players and officials found guilty of racist behaviour face 10-match bans as part of new plans proposed by Uefa.
Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino also revealed clubs could be forced to close part or all of their stadiums if fans racially abuse players

Infantino said: "It's still a scourge on the game. We have to have sanctions.
"What we are proposing is that if a player or official is found guilty then they will be suspended for 10 matches."

Speaking at the Soccerex event in Manchester today, Infantino added: "If supporters are found guilty then there will be a partial closure of the stadium.
"This means the section where offence took place will be closed. If there is a second offence by the club's supporters there will be full closure with a minimum 50,000 euros (£42,700) fine."

Good. Would that mean a closed section at Shite Hart Lane for the banana?