The FA - Racist B@stards?!
Discussion
From http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4214617.stm
FA apologises over England DVD
Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand
The Football Association has apologised after a DVD celebrating the best post-war England internationals failed to feature any black players.
Thousands of copies of "Pride of the Nation" were included in a welcome pack for the official England fans club.
But the FA withdrew all copies after complaints and will make a new edition including several black players.
"We regret and apologise for any offence that may have been caused," the FA said in an official statement.
"The FA is in the process of producing a new DVD, which will include several outstanding black players, who have, of course, made a huge contribution to the national team and football in this country."
The initial list of players given to the video producers is understood to have included black players but none of them made the final cut as the running time was reduced.
"A letter will also be sent to the Professional Footballers' Association, apologising for any offence caused to any current or former players," added the FA on its website.
England defender Rio Ferdinand admitted he was surprised after hearing about the DVD.
"It's a surprise to me as there would have been several black players on my personal list, such as John Barnes and Ian Wright," the Manchester United player said.
"But players should not be judged on their colour, they should only be judged on their ability."
But Professional Football Association chief executive Gordon Taylor welcomed the FA's actions once the issue had been pointed out.
"I am pleased that the FA has taken the action it has," he said.
"I hope that when the new DVD is produced it will pay a proper tribute to the increasing number of black players who have performed so well for their country."
DVD CHOICE
Included: Bobby Moore, Gary Lineker, Sir Bobby Charlton, Paul Gascoigne, Alan Shearer, Bryan Robson, David Beckham, Terry Butcher, Martin Peters, Chris Waddle, Stuart Pearce, Steven Gerrard
Missed out: Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell, Paul Ince, John Barnes, Ashley Cole, Viv Anderson
Discuss....
FA apologises over England DVD
Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand
The Football Association has apologised after a DVD celebrating the best post-war England internationals failed to feature any black players.
Thousands of copies of "Pride of the Nation" were included in a welcome pack for the official England fans club.
But the FA withdrew all copies after complaints and will make a new edition including several black players.
"We regret and apologise for any offence that may have been caused," the FA said in an official statement.
"The FA is in the process of producing a new DVD, which will include several outstanding black players, who have, of course, made a huge contribution to the national team and football in this country."
The initial list of players given to the video producers is understood to have included black players but none of them made the final cut as the running time was reduced.
"A letter will also be sent to the Professional Footballers' Association, apologising for any offence caused to any current or former players," added the FA on its website.
England defender Rio Ferdinand admitted he was surprised after hearing about the DVD.
"It's a surprise to me as there would have been several black players on my personal list, such as John Barnes and Ian Wright," the Manchester United player said.
"But players should not be judged on their colour, they should only be judged on their ability."
But Professional Football Association chief executive Gordon Taylor welcomed the FA's actions once the issue had been pointed out.
"I am pleased that the FA has taken the action it has," he said.
"I hope that when the new DVD is produced it will pay a proper tribute to the increasing number of black players who have performed so well for their country."
DVD CHOICE
Included: Bobby Moore, Gary Lineker, Sir Bobby Charlton, Paul Gascoigne, Alan Shearer, Bryan Robson, David Beckham, Terry Butcher, Martin Peters, Chris Waddle, Stuart Pearce, Steven Gerrard
Missed out: Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell, Paul Ince, John Barnes, Ashley Cole, Viv Anderson
Discuss....
roadsweeper said:
...DVD celebrating the best post-war England internationals...
Steven Gerrard ?
Ashley Cole?
Now I'm no football buff, but surely there must be beter examples of best Post war England internationals than these 2 (1 included, 1 not)
Sounds like it is just a marketing gimmick rather than a decent "list". However There have been some out standing players of colour who I agree should probably been in the list - John Barnes being the first on my list.
Phil
DVD CHOICE
Included: Bobby Moore, Gary Lineker, Sir Bobby Charlton, Paul Gascoigne, Alan Shearer, Bryan Robson, David Beckham, Terry Butcher, Martin Peters, Chris Waddle, Stuart Pearce, Steven Gerrard
Missed out: Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell, Paul Ince, John Barnes, Ashley Cole, Viv Anderson
Let's see...........
Rio Ferdinand or Bobby Moore. I'll go for Bobby.
Wrighty (1 goal) or Gary Lineker (49). I'll go for Gary.
Ince or Robson. Captain marvel for me thanks.
I didn't realise we were now living in South Africa or Zimbabwe where you need to have a "quota". How patronising to black players is that?
No Geoff Hurst?
Included: Bobby Moore, Gary Lineker, Sir Bobby Charlton, Paul Gascoigne, Alan Shearer, Bryan Robson, David Beckham, Terry Butcher, Martin Peters, Chris Waddle, Stuart Pearce, Steven Gerrard
Missed out: Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell, Paul Ince, John Barnes, Ashley Cole, Viv Anderson
Let's see...........
Rio Ferdinand or Bobby Moore. I'll go for Bobby.
Wrighty (1 goal) or Gary Lineker (49). I'll go for Gary.
Ince or Robson. Captain marvel for me thanks.
I didn't realise we were now living in South Africa or Zimbabwe where you need to have a "quota". How patronising to black players is that?
No Geoff Hurst?
Thought about posting this one myself when I heard it on the news this morning.
I intensley dislike 'positive discrimination' - it is no better than any other form of discrimination.
Having said that the FA have reacted in an appropriate way in this instance by recalling the DVD IMO.
I can not possibly see how the DVD could have left out black players when there have been so many greats. This is not a case of - oh lets best slip in a black guy to apease the liberals - they bloody well should have been in there as of right.
If it was a case of the clips of the white guys were better then they shoyuld just have had a better look at the archive FFS
I intensley dislike 'positive discrimination' - it is no better than any other form of discrimination.
Having said that the FA have reacted in an appropriate way in this instance by recalling the DVD IMO.
I can not possibly see how the DVD could have left out black players when there have been so many greats. This is not a case of - oh lets best slip in a black guy to apease the liberals - they bloody well should have been in there as of right.
If it was a case of the clips of the white guys were better then they shoyuld just have had a better look at the archive FFS
Can I emphasise that this is for the greatest England players, not the greatest players at club level.
As a Liverpool fan I think John Barnes was a great player and I thought he was a hero as a kid. However, he was sh1t for England apart from the odd moment of brilliance, a bit like Matt Le Tissier really. The same could be said for Cantona - he was a genius for MUFC, but wouldn't be voted one of France's greatest players because he didn't play for them much due to politics, etc.
As for questioning Steven Gerrard's ability, do you realise we've only ever lost one competitive match where has has played? I think that one was on penalties too. Gerrard is one of the best midfielders in the world, hence Real Madrid, MUFC and Chelsea have all expressed interest in him. IMHO he is the best midfiled player of his type (i.e. creative, a leader, goal scorer, hard tackler, driving force of a team) in the world, and that includes other great players like Roy Keane and Patrick Viera.
Anyway, I don't want to get dragged into that type of discussion too much, I'm more concerned about the racism context of this thread...
As a Liverpool fan I think John Barnes was a great player and I thought he was a hero as a kid. However, he was sh1t for England apart from the odd moment of brilliance, a bit like Matt Le Tissier really. The same could be said for Cantona - he was a genius for MUFC, but wouldn't be voted one of France's greatest players because he didn't play for them much due to politics, etc.
As for questioning Steven Gerrard's ability, do you realise we've only ever lost one competitive match where has has played? I think that one was on penalties too. Gerrard is one of the best midfielders in the world, hence Real Madrid, MUFC and Chelsea have all expressed interest in him. IMHO he is the best midfiled player of his type (i.e. creative, a leader, goal scorer, hard tackler, driving force of a team) in the world, and that includes other great players like Roy Keane and Patrick Viera.
Anyway, I don't want to get dragged into that type of discussion too much, I'm more concerned about the racism context of this thread...
roadsweeper said:
Can I emphasise that this is for the greatest England players, not the greatest players at club level.
As a Liverpool fan I think John Barnes was a great player and I thought he was a hero as a kid. However, he was sh1t for England apart from the odd moment of brilliance, a bit like Matt Le Tissier really. The same could be said for Cantona - he was a genius for MUFC, but wouldn't be voted one of France's greatest players because he didn't play for them much due to politics, etc.
As for questioning Steven Gerrard's ability, do you realise we've only ever lost one competitive match where has has played? I think that one was on penalties too. Gerrard is one of the best midfielders in the world, hence Real Madrid, MUFC and Chelsea have all expressed interest in him. IMHO he is the best midfiled player of his type (i.e. creative, a leader, goal scorer, hard tackler, driving force of a team) in the world, and that includes other great players like Roy Keane and Patrick Viera.
Anyway, I don't want to get dragged into that type of discussion too much, I'm more concerned about the racism context of this thread...
Yup, even Bryan Robson think so - www.givemefootball.com/display.cfm?area=fansplayermonthnews
Here`s a thought. While searching for a download of barnes` goal, I came across this... www.100greatblackbritons.com/list.html.
Is this racist? Would a site of "100 great white Britons raise an outcry? Of course it would. Probably from white people.
Steve
Is this racist? Would a site of "100 great white Britons raise an outcry? Of course it would. Probably from white people.
Steve
iaint said:
Gerrard is fantastic player, probably the best midfielder in the world at the moment.
Frankie Lampard for my money...
Much as I rate Lampard, I don't think even he thinks he's better than Gerrard. However, the thought of a Chelsea midfield made up of Robben, Lampard, Gerrard and Duff terrifies me. I personally thought LFC should have bought Duff when we had the chance - a midfield of Risse, Gerrard, Alonso and Duff would also be up there with the best in the world, though I accept Risse is inconsistent and Robben would be preferable.
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