England coach speaks out on racism

The England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson yesterday threw his weight behind the Kick Racism out of Football campaign, describing discrimination as "crazy" and "unbelievable".

Speaking in National Anti-Racism week, the Swede said: "Racism is a crazy thing in football – and in the world in general. This is an initiative in which I am keen to play my part, as I find it unbelievable that racism still exists in this day and age.

"It is 2001 and to think that we still have to deal with this problem is really unbelievable. Football must do all it can to bring down such barriers. I have never in my life thought about what colour a player is or what religion he believes in. I simply ask myself whether he is a good player or not."

Numerous clubs are backing the campaign, with anti-racism events taking place at Arsenal's match with Blackburn Rovers at Highbury on Saturday and Fulham's Craven Cottage encounter with Ipswich Town on Sunday.