Isn't the proposed Black Players' Association name Racist

[boltonboris]

Is Jason Roberts black? He's never mentioned it.....

I, for one, would like to know Garth Crooks' view on this.

On second thought... Would I fvck.

[Wandering Willy]

Perhaps John Barnes would know.

[boltonboris]

He's just a choc ice... I wouldn't listen to him.

[Prufrock]

It's an interest group ffs!

Is it racist? You could argue semantically that it was, but your own argument would make the Gents' toilets sexist and the bog-standard Professional Footballers Association nonprofessionalfootballerist.

[boltonboris]

It's an interest group ffs!

Is it racist? You could argue semantically that it was, but your own argument would make the Gents' toilets sexist and the bog-standard Professional Footballers Association nonprofessionalfootballerist.

Only if there were no womens toilets...

[Lost Leopard Spot]

It's an interest group ffs!

Is it racist? You could argue semantically that it was, but your own argument would make the Gents' toilets sexist and the bog-standard Professional Footballers Association nonprofessionalfootballerist.

I've always believed it would be far more interesting if Dorises were allowed in the Gents and vice versa, in fact down with genderist toilets: DON'T STAND FOR IT

[Prufrock]

It's an interest group ffs!

Is it racist? You could argue semantically that it was, but your own argument would make the Gents' toilets sexist and the bog-standard Professional Footballers Association nonprofessionalfootballerist.

Only if there were no womens toilets...

There is nothing to my knowledge to stop there being a White Players' Association. It would of course be ridiculous because there is clearly no need for one.

Do I think there is a need for the BPA? No. John Barnes and Garth Crookes have both been mentioned, but I don't think players today go through anything like what they did. Still, there have been two high profile players found guilty by the FA of racism in the past 12-18 months, so whilst I think they were isolated incidents, if there are people who don't, and want to set up a Black Players Association, then that is their prerogative, and I don't see why there are so many getting into a tizz about it.

[Wandering Willy]

It's an interest group ffs!

Is it racist? You could argue semantically that it was, but your own argument would make the Gents' toilets sexist and the bog-standard Professional Footballers Association nonprofessionalfootballerist.

Only if there were no womens toilets...

There is nothing to my knowledge to stop there being a White Players' Association. It would of course be ridiculous because there is clearly no need for one.

Get out of the text book and into the real world then.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

I can see it going down a storm with my lawyer: "Well Mr Leopard, exactly what reaction did you expect when you founded the White Man's Real Ale Drinking Society".

[Gary the Enfield]

Where does Rio Ferdinand fit in after calling Ashley Cole a Choc Ice? Was he refusing to wear a t-shirt on Saturday in protest at the FA failing to impose strict enough sanctions on him?

[midlands exile]

charlies making headlines

Not another "forgotten" drug test for Rio?!

Actually, maybe he's still got a chip on his shoulder about the punishment he got from the FA for that.

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

It's an interest group ffs!

Is it racist? You could argue semantically that it was, but your own argument would make the Gents' toilets sexist and the bog-standard Professional Footballers Association nonprofessionalfootballerist.

Only if there were no womens toilets...

There is nothing to my knowledge to stop there being a White Players' Association. It would of course be ridiculous because there is clearly no need for one.

Get out of the text book and into the real world then.

[Prufrock]

That's very funny and all. A White Players Association doesn't exist because there is no need for one other than to satisfy normally white normally middle-class normally men who feel frustrated that they don't have a 'hook' themself. That doesn't seem to be a reason which annoys people enough for them to be arsed setting one up. There is no history of anti-white racism in football, nor any recent high profile incidents. If there had been, maybe there would be talk of organisations.

To my knowledge you don't have to be a black footballer to join, nor black to work for them. If for instance QPR's white players wanted to join to support Anton Ferdinand, I'm sure they would be allowed. If the organisation needed to hire staff, I'm sure they'd consider white secretaries and black secretaries. If I've misunderstood and only black players can join and only black people work for them then sure it would be racist. And illegal. Otherwise it is just an interest group. Like wildlife charities (which 'discriminate' against non-wildlife), rape-support organisations (which 'discriminate' against non-rape victims) and the Professional Footballers Association (which 'discriminates' against non-professional footballers).

Don't get me wrong, I think it's a rubbish name. It's divisive and narrow. I think racism in football has improved massively and got to a point where the problems are less obvious and harder to deal with. There will always be isolated incidents of dick-heads in crowds or small minority of players saying stupid things. Until racism is entirely eradicated from society you will never get rid of that. The main problems are in terms of the number of coaches and managers IMO, and I don't think that is a simple case of racism. Even if racism does play a part, a campaign of t-shirts isn't going to fix that.

It's a poor name but the children's playground level of 'I'm not racist, you're racist' is unhelpful from both 'sides'.

[bobo the clown]

That's very funny and all. A White Players Association doesn't exist because there is no need for one other than to satisfy normally white normally middle-class normally men who feel frustrated that they don't have a 'hook' themself. That doesn't seem to be a reason which annoys people enough for them to be arsed setting one up. There is no history of anti-white racism in football, nor any recent high profile incidents. If there had been, maybe there would be talk of organisations.

To my knowledge you don't have to be a black footballer to join, nor black to work for them. If for instance QPR's white players wanted to join to support Anton Ferdinand, I'm sure they would be allowed. If the organisation needed to hire staff, I'm sure they'd consider white secretaries and black secretaries. If I've misunderstood and only black players can join and only black people work for them then sure it would be racist. And illegal. Otherwise it is just an interest group. Like wildlife charities (which 'discriminate' against non-wildlife), rape-support organisations (which 'discriminate' against non-rape victims) and the Professional Footballers Association (which 'discriminates' against non-professional footballers).

Don't get me wrong, I think it's a rubbish name. It's divisive and narrow. I think racism in football has improved massively and got to a point where the problems are less obvious and harder to deal with. There will always be isolated incidents of dick-heads in crowds or small minority of players saying stupid things. Until racism is entirely eradicated from society you will never get rid of that. The main problems are in terms of the number of coaches and managers IMO, and I don't think that is a simple case of racism. Even if racism does play a part, a campaign of t-shirts isn't going to fix that.

It's a poor name but the children's playground level of 'I'm not racist, you're racist' is unhelpful from both 'sides'.

It's called the "Black Footballers Association".

"It's a crap name" doesn't cover the fact that it is an association, for footballers, who are black. If it was an interest group looking for fairness for black players it'd have a different name.

Positive discrimination is still discrimination, and solves nothing.

[thebish]

"It's a crap name" doesn't cover the fact that it is an association, for footballers, who are black. If it was an interest group looking for fairness for black players it'd have a different name.

Positive discrimination is still discrimination, and solves nothing.

I don't think pru was arguing that it would solve anything - in fact - he appears to be against the idea...

[bobo the clown]

"It's a crap name" doesn't cover the fact that it is an association, for footballers, who are black. If it was an interest group looking for fairness for black players it'd have a different name.

Positive discrimination is still discrimination, and solves nothing.

I don't think pru was arguing that it would solve anything - in fact - he appears to be against the idea...

Butt out Vicar.

Pru thrashed me in another debate earlier on & I, as a fully paid up "white ... middle-class normally mAn who feels frustrated that I don't have a 'hook' " want to give him a piece of what for & you & all the hymnals in Romford, Torbay & Swansea aren't going to stop me doing.

[thebish]

"It's a crap name" doesn't cover the fact that it is an association, for footballers, who are black. If it was an interest group looking for fairness for black players it'd have a different name.

Positive discrimination is still discrimination, and solves nothing.

I don't think pru was arguing that it would solve anything - in fact - he appears to be against the idea...

Butt out Vicar.

Pru thrashed me in another debate earlier on & I, as a fully paid up "white ... middle-class normally mAn who feels frustrated that I don't have a 'hook' " want to give him a piece of what for & you & all the hymnals in Romford, Torbay & Swansea aren't going to stop me doing.

I'm just trying to save you from another inevitable thrashing, normally man....

[MindIfICutIn]

Well in my opinion its just more like in usa.. Its all about benjamins

[as]

Well in my opinion its just more like in usa.. Its all about benjamins

Don't you mean the pentium's?!

Anyway, Clattenburg is now being accused of it by that ever-so-honest-and-100%-reliable Mikel. Something tells me it didn't happen, I'm just wondering when Jason Roberts will be make a statement about it......

[MindIfICutIn]

Pentiums its another story.. ) for those who prefer virtual world over.. real one...