MX23RW : Monday, June 3 14:45:41| >> :120:32091:32091:

QPR "disgusted, embarrassed and dismayed" by UEFA racism response

QPR
© Reuters
QPR are still awaiting a decision from UEFA after the abandonment of a friendly between QPR's under-18s team and Spanish side AD Nervion in August.

QPR chief executive Lee Hoos has accused FIFA and UEFA of being "incapable of governing" over their failure to issue an adequate response to allegations of racism.

Hoos says QPR are still awaiting a decision from UEFA following the abandonment of a friendly between QPR's under-18s team and Spanish side AD Nervion in August, due to claims of racist abuse by opposition players.

Hoos said he is "disgusted, embarrassed and dismayed to call them our governing bodies" – and accused officials of treating racism with the same degree of importance as "a broken seat in a stadium".

Hoos' criticism comes in the same week that Bulgaria were ordered to play one match behind closed doors, with a further match suspended, and fined just £65,000 for the racist behaviour of their supporters during a Euro 2020 qualifier against England.

Referring to the Bulgarian sanction, Hoos said in a statement: "UEFA have responded to this one issue of blatant racism but both FIFA and UEFA seem to treat complaints about racism like a complaint about a broken seat in a stadium.

"I am left confused, frustrated and incredibly angry that more than 10 weeks after we lodged our complaint of racism, we are still awaiting a decision.

"There were a substantial number of people within the game who warned me that this issue would be swept under the carpet and I am appalled to see this appears to be the case.

"I am disgusted, embarrassed and dismayed to call them our governing bodies when they are incapable of governing."

Meanwhile, Gary Neville says it will take a team to walk off the pitch for a sea change to happen in the fight against racism, and believes England's players are brave enough to do it.

England players and staff were subjected to monkey chanting in Sofia, and some supporters in Bulgarian sections of the stadium could be seen making Nazi salutes.

Former England and Manchester United defender Neville, now a Sky Sports pundit, can see the issue coming to a head soon when a team decides it has had enough and leaves the pitch.

"Everybody would have supported the players and Gareth Southgate in walking off the pitch, but then what I would expect is that if they were punished for that, that other nations would support England and withdraw from the competition," he said.

"That's what is going to need to happen here.

"Nations are going to need to take it into their own hands because the governing body are not dealing with it in a satisfactory manner.

"Some of the greatest changes that have been stimulated in society have been through individuals being brave, and we have got some brave, young individuals within that England squad who are not going to take it any more."

ID:376831: cacheID:376831:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6543:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Bulgaria's national stadium Vasil Levski pictured in October 2019
Read Next:
Bulgaria ordered to play behind closed doors after racist abuse
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!