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We have had it reported to us that before kick off yesterday a Nazi flag was put on display in the Cricket Field Stand. A so-called Walsall supporter draped it over empty seats in front of him. We can confirm that this brought about complaints to the stewards from Burnley supporters.
He was sat with another man and a young boy considered to be around the age of ten and after the complaints was approached by stewards. He then folded the flag and passed it to a friend and it was no longer displayed.
There seemed to be no attempt by the stewards to take it from him and no attempt to remove him from the ground. He was left and allowed to sit and watch the match. He will probably now go to Walsall’s next away match and offend even more people by displaying it again.
The lack of any strong action from the stewards is against two directives from FIFA which are;
requires all organisers of football matches to impose regulations that refuse admission to football grounds to any persons indulging in, or suspected of intending to indulge in acts of racism or related violence, and to ban all articles that convey any message of a racist content in words or in symbols.
requires stadium stewards to co-operate with police forces to act swiftly and decisively to apprehend and to eject immediately any persons violating such regulations.
Both clubs now need to take some serious action. Burnley Football Club must involve themselves in discussions with the stewards and police. More serious action was required yesterday, it was not taken. As for Walsall they need to find this so-called supporter who brought them shame yesterday and take the appropriate action.
And this sadly just days before this season’s Anti-Racism week which commences next Thursday.
Following a number of recent incidents, particularly involving English clubs playing in European competitions, UEFA last week issued a ten point plan revealed by President Lennart Johansson and Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner.
"The problem of racism is a real issue for the European football family and the image of football in general," said Johansson and Aigner. "Of course racism at our games is a sad reflection of society in general, but, because of the high-profile nature of football on our continent, we have a particular responsibility to take steps to stamp it out and prevent it occuring in the future."
The ten point plan for all clubs within UEFA is as follows:
1. Issue a statement saying the club will not tolerate racism, spelling out the action it will take against those engaged in racist chanting. The statement should be printed in all match programmes and displayed permanently and prominently around the ground.
2. Make public address announcements condemning racist chanting at matches.
3. Make it a condition for season-ticket holders that they do not take part in racist abuse.
4. Take action to prevent the sale of racist literature inside and around the ground.
5. Take disciplinary action against players who engage in racial abuse.
6. Contact other clubs to make sure they understand the club’s policy on racism.
7. Encourage a common strategy between stewards and police for dealing with racist abuse.
8. Remove all racist graffiti from the ground as a matter of urgency.
9. Adopt an equal opportunities' policy in relation to employment and service provision.
10. Work with all other groups and agencies, such as the players union, supporters, schools, voluntary organisations, youth clubs, sponsors, local authorities, local businesses and police, to develop pro-active programmes and make progress to raise awareness of campaigning to eliminate racial abuse and discrimination.