Blackburn Rovers’ MBE Jason Roberts was nominated for football’s Black List Awards at Canary Wharf.
Racism in football made headlines in Hammersmith and Fulham while its black ambassador was acknowledged for his contribution to the sport on Wednesday October 26.
Blackburn Rovers’ MBE Jason Roberts, of Royal Park, was nominated for football’s Black List Awards at Canary Wharf for his football charity work in the UK and Caribbean.
This followed the West London derby between Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea on Sunday October 23, in which John Terry, 30, was accused of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, 26.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Roberts, 33, said: “This has happened to me all through my career at every level of the game.”
Inconclusive internet footage appears to show Terry calling Ferdinand a f****** black c***, but Terry claims it shows him protesting ‘I didn’t call you a f****** black c***.’
Roberts said it was unusual for anyone to defend themselves this way.
QPR fan Jon Collins, 22, was at the game and reported the players were not happy with something, whether it was the attitude of the Chelsea players or something that was said.
Terry explained in a statement that he spoke to Ferdinand after the game and there was no problem.
But Roberts believes there is not enough motivation for black players to do something about racist taunts.
“Some people think they say stuff like that to put you off your game and it’s fair. They say ‘I’m not really like that, some of my friends are black’, but it’s not good enough,” added the Grenada striker.
Chelsea fan Niall Kelly, 21, said: “At Chelsea, Terry is God.” But he questions how the captain can lead the likes of Cole, Drogba and Sturridge if found guilty.
At the Black List Awards, Les Ferdinand MBE said until people in power do something about racism, we will always have these problems.
The incident is being investigated by the FA, and Hammersmith and Fulham police following a complaint by a member of the public.
