The former England and Liverpool winger on why he is no apologist for racism and how it can be tackled at its roots
“Football, and you can put this in your article,” John Barnes says as he leans forward and points at the dictaphone on the table between us, “is the least racist industry in this country. Yes, you have people shouting racist abuse and throwing bananas on the field, and there are issues regarding the number of black coaches and managers in the game, but which other industry allows a young black boy the exact same opportunity as a young white boy? Even at League One and League Two level you’ll see five or six black players, because they are given an opportunity to maximise their potential.”
Barnes has never been afraid to speak his mind when it comes to the issues that have increasingly come to define him – race and racism, on and off the field. He is arguably the most famous black player in England and had to endure racism as a player – the picture of him back-heeling a banana off the pitch during a Merseyside derby in 1988 is iconic.
Written by Sachin Nakrani
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/oct/13/john-barnes-race-england-football-bernardo-silva-tweet under the title “John Barnes: ‘I was seen as the voice of reason on race. I haven’t changed’ | Sachin Nakrani”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
