Campaigners warn David Cameron that battle against racism has 'slipped backwards' ahead of anti-discrimination summit

EXCLUSIVE
By Rob Stewart

Campaigners have warned the fight against racism has gone “backwards” ahead of David Cameron’s anti-discrimination summit at 10 Downing Street on Wednesday.

Show Racism the Red Card chief executive Ged Grebby spoke out as the Prime Minister prepared to take the lead on an issue that has come to the fore with a series of of high-profile incidents, including the row between Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

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“It is important to stress football has made giant strides but you need to make sure that you build on those and do not slip backwards and we have slipped backwards,” Grebby told Goal.com.

“I don’t think we have gone back to the bad old days but we have certainly slipped and, because racism is such a big issue in society, it could come back in terms of football supporters as well.

“We’ve always said football leads the way in terms of fighting racism but once you become complacent on any issue as big as racism, given the racism that is out there in society, it’s a very dangerous thing. It is important the clubs learn the lessons of what has happened.”

Suarez has been forced to apologise for refusing to shake hands with Evra at Old Trafford following the Uruguayan’s return to action after a ban for racially abusing the defender.

England and Chelsea defender John Terry is also due to face trial over the summer on charges of racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand.

“Anything that highlights the problem of racism in the game and attempts to tackle it has to be welcomed,” Grebby added.

“We have had a re-emergence of the issue at the top level of the game so this gives us the opportunity to say what has gone right and what has gone wrong.

“We now need to make sure clubs are prepared to implement anti-racism policies. One thing we are calling for, and I believe that the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) are calling for it as well, is more training for players because there is very little for players in terms of anti-racism.

“No matter what people may think of them they are role models and our campaign is based on the fact that young people will listen and learn from professional footballers.”

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt will also take part and officials from the Football Association, Premier League, Football League, PFA and League Managers' Association are also due to attend the summit.

Former England players John Barnes and Graeme Le Saux will be there as will Amal Fashanu, who recently made a documentary about homosexuality in football, 14 years after her footballer uncle Justin committed suicide.

Grebby is hoping SRTRC will receive Government backing for the work that thhe Tyneside-based charity carries out nationwide.

“If you are going to educate the current professionals and those who are coming up through the ranks then the one group of people they will listen to are their peers, such as Luther Blissett, Leroy Rosenior, Gary Bennett and Olivier Bernard,” Grebby continued.

“They’re an excellent team with plenty of experience so we are in a very good position to help with the work that needs to be done.

"But in order to do that when it comes down to it you need an organisation that is run professionally and the Government needs to fund us.”