Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Antonio Rudiger: Graeme Souness launches scathing attack on PFA after Chelsea defender suffers racist abuse

The Sky Sports pundit was debating football’s issue with racism after the Chelsea defender was allegedly targeted by sections of Tottenham’s support

Jack Rathborn
Monday 23 December 2019 09:56 GMT
Comments
Frank Lampard says his Chelsea players have his full support over racism

Graeme Souness has accused The PFA of “turning a blind eye” in regards to supporting players suffering from racist abuse.

The Sky Sports pundit was speaking after Antonio Rudiger alleged to have been the target of monkey chants from sections of the home support at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Chelsea’s 2-0 win.

And Souness believes The PFA have a big role to play moving forward in eradicating the problem, while accusing them of doing a “miserable job” in the past.

“The authorities do have a part to play,” Souness said on Sky Sports. “The PFA, the Premier League, have a major part to play.

“As far as I can see it, the PFA turn a blind eye to it. In my opinion, over a period of time, and I had a personal thing with an old team-mate of mine that I tried to help, they don’t want to know.

“It’s all about PR and Lowry paintings hanging in their headquarters in Manchester. Don’t get me started on the PFA, they’ve done a miserable job for players who have really needed their help over a long period of time.

“I think they’ve got a big part to play, that’s where it should start, along with all the money that the Premier League generates, what do they do about all of these causes? Next to nothing.

Graeme Souness has accused the PFA of doing a miserable job (Sky Sports)

“It just seems the money, selling TV rights to wherever in the world, jacking the numbers up, saying how well we’re doing, and we ignore the real issues that we live with.

“We’re in a privileged position that we can sit here and talk about it and it doesn’t really impact on us.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in