LONDON: Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom says football is the “worst sport” for racism, calling for tougher punishments to stamp out abuse.
United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham took to Instagram to reveal he had suffered from “racism and family threats” after last week’s 2-1 defeat at Tottenham.
Heckingbottom revealed police have spoken to the former Rangers keeper about the incident, which he said reflected a larger problem in society.
“You can say it’s all social media and people are tough on there and they can say what they want,” he said on Friday. “You can take it away, but it is deeper than that because it’s inside people.”
He added: “It’s sad — I think we are the worst sport for it. I don’t know if it’s the profile but we are the ones who get the most.
“There have been big improvements, in society and our game, so we have to just continue being harder and stronger and every time we get a prosecution let’s make those punishments harder.”
The Blades take on Newcastle on Sunday aiming for their first victory of the season.
They were minutes away from winning at Tottenham last week before conceding two goals deep into stoppage time.
Sheffield Utd boss says football is ‘worst sport’ for racism
https://arab.news/m3c78
Sheffield Utd boss says football is ‘worst sport’ for racism
- United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham took to Instagram to reveal he had suffered from “racism and family threats”
- Heckingbottom revealed police have spoken to the former Rangers keeper about the incident
Tanzania, Tunisia join Nigeria in AFCON last 16 with draw keeping Angola out
- Tunisia advanced as Group C runner-up, but it wasn’t enough to appease their fans, who whistled the team
RABAT: Tanzania and Tunisia grabbed the last available places in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday by playing out a 1-1 draw that eliminated Angola.
Feisal Salum’s goal for Tanzania, which canceled out Ismaël Gharbi’s penalty, sent the Taifa Stars to the last 16 as one of the six groups’ best third-place finishers.
Angola, who finished third in Group B, had been hoping for a favor from Tunisia to beat Tanzania and another from Nigeria, who complied by defeating Uganda 3-1.
But Tanzania’s goal proved the difference. Both Tanzania and Angola finished with two points and a goal difference of -1. Salum’s goal meant the Taifa Stars had scored more in the group stage (Tanzania’s three goals vs. Angola’s two), meaning they go through to the next round.
“I hope this will be a reminder to these players and the next generation of players on the potential of Tanzanian football,” Taifa Stars coach Miguel Gamondi said.
Tunisia advanced as Group C runner-up, but it wasn’t enough to appease their fans, who whistled the team after supporting them in the rain in Rabat.
“We may not have played the best way possible, but we are very happy to have qualified,” Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi said.
The game started with intensity and desperation usually only seen in the final minutes with the Carthage Eagles besieging the Tanzanian goal.
Gharbi rattled the left post and tried an audacious shot from near the halfway line, while tackles went flying from both sides.
Tunisia got a break when Ibrahim Hamad was penalized after a VAR check for dragging back Hazem Mastouri. Gharbi converted the penalty in the 43rd.
Salum replied after the break with a low shot that skidded along the wet grass inside the left post.
Three goalkeepers for Uganda
With his team already assured of top spot in the group, Nigeria coach Eric Chelle opted to rest many of his regulars including Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi and Bright Osayi-Samuel. Victor Osimhen played from the start.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru crossed for Paul Onuachu to score with a simple finish in the 28th, and Uganda’s slim hopes were effectively ended early in the second half. Goalkeeper Denis Onyango was unable to resume after the break, and his replacement Salim Magoola was sent off in the 50th for handling the ball outside the penalty area. Magoola couldn’t resist stopping a shot from Osimhen.
Uganda’s third-choice goalkeeper Nafian Alionzi soon conceded when Raphael Onyedika shot the ball between his legs for 2-0 in the 62nd, five minutes before Onyedika got another goal.
Rogers Mato restored some Ugandan pride in the 75th with a fine chip over Francis Uzoho in the Nigeria goal.
Later Tuesday, Senegal played Benin and Congo faced Botswana to decide their positions in Group D.
Senegal, Congo and Benin are all sure of progress.
