Gareth Southgate: 'We have to educate young people on racism'

Incidents of alleged racist chanting at England players in Montenegro must lead to better education on the subject, says Gareth Southgate.

Published : Mar 26, 2019 16:01 IST

England coach Gareth Southgate
England coach Gareth Southgate
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England coach Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate feels any potential sanctions following the alleged racist chanting towards England players in Montenegro are "worthless" unless they are accompanied by better education on the subject.

The Three Lions recorded a 5-1 Euro 2020 qualifying victory on Monday, but that win was overshadowed by accusations that England players were subjected to racial abuse in Podgorica.

READ: Barkley hails England's character after resounding win

Southgate claimed full-back Danny Rose was targeted after picking up a late yellow card and teenage winger Callum Hudson-Odoi said he heard "monkey stuff".

England's manager Southgate confirmed the incidents would be reported to UEFA, but he believes sanctions alone will not get to the root of the issue.

"It was clear to everybody that there were comments made," Southgate told a news conference.

"Sanctions are only ever of any use if they lead to education. Sanctions are worthless if there's nothing alongside that to help educate people.

 

"In our country, the same. I'm not sitting here just criticising what's happened tonight because in our country we have the same issue. We're not free of it.

"You can sanction clubs but frankly that's not going to stop one or two people who [are] of the mindset from doing what they want to do.

"We have to make sure that we educate young people because we have a better chance with young people. We've got to lead that as far and wide as we can."

ALSO READ: Hudson-Odoi slams 'monkey' chants at Montenegro game

Montenegro's coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic said he did not hear any racist chanting during the contest.

"I have not heard nor noticed any chanting, the first time I heard this is now," he told reporters when asked to comment.

He added: "First of all, I don't see the reason why I should comment on that. Second, I haven't heard anything. Third, I was thinking of the game so I had to concentrate on the game."

Raheem Sterling had urged UEFA to take "a proper stance" against racism by issuing Montenegro with a stadium ban, while Hudson-Odoi, making his first international start at senior level, urged the governing body to "deal with it properly".

WATCH |  Sterling demands UEFA action after alleged racist abuse

Southgate added: "I just think it's a really sad evening.

"I'm reflecting on, should I have done more? In the end, I tried to protect my players as much as I possibly can.

"I'm not the authority on the subject. I'm a middle-aged white guy speaking about racism. I find it a difficult subject to broach. I want my players to enjoy playing football and not be scarred by the experiences."

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