Sin When You're Winning Fight Against [Football] Racism

In the Times today, Simon Barnes agrees with what I wrote here: that is, that it would be wrong to deal with racist abuse of football players by the crowds when there are so many other levels of abuse that are just as, if not more, virulent.

"You are of illegitimate birth, you are homosexual, you are an onanist, your wife indulges in eccentric and promiscuous sexual practices, your own tastes are severely compromised, you're a traitor, you are Judas, you are obsessed with money, you are incompetent, you sexually abuse children, you're black - What! Hang on a minute, you can't say that! That's absolutely dreadful! What sort of people do you think we are? We don't tolerate that sort of thing round here, thank you very much. Now be quiet, I think the boys at the back are going to sing the paedophile song again in a minute.

"Racism is bad, but its apparent conquest gives football (and perhaps society beyond football) the altogether inappropriate belief that every ill has been overcome. By concentrating on the single evil of racism, many other evils are accepted."