The Y-word is as racist as the N-word but Cameron labels it as the A-word- Acceptable

WARNING: This blog may contain some words that offends readers.

This week the Prime Minister took time out to wade in on the continued debate over the use of the word Yid, from Tottenham Hotspur fans and opposition fans that may still use the racist term.

The word Yid originates from a time when racism was accepted, a time when black people were used as slaves and the N word was used at its most frequent. Time has changed many things but mostly, and rightly so it has changed the attitude towards racism. No longer is it acceptable to use any racist language towards anyone.....or is it?

Tottenham adopted the term Yid Army as a defence mechanism after opposition fans regularly mocked the club for it's Jewish following. Around 5% of all Tottenham fans today have Jewish roots, but yet the clubs fans see themselves as the Yid Army.

In the past week the debate has become quite heated after the Football Association commented any fans using the racist term, whether a Tottenham fan or not should be prosecuted, this was after the continued battle from Jewish, Chelsea fan David Baddiel who continues to fight for the Y-word to be banned.

The debate however has taken an unusual twist this week after David Cameron, yes the Prime Minister of England, declared that the use of the word from Tottenham fans was acceptable, as they were not 'motivated by hate'.

So this opens a scenario where the FA are fighting for the banning of the word, while the Prime Minister says it's ok. So who is going to win this battle that no one really wants to have?

The answer? Nobody. The lobbying for the banning of the word is frankly pointless as Tottenham fans class themselves as the Yid Army and that will never change, but what about the Jewish section of the Tottenham fans that find the term offensive? Where do they stand in this debate? Is the Tottenham fans chanting the word offensive to them, and is it 'motivated by hate'

The fact Cameron even got involved is a baffling one, the fact he said what he said, was even more strange. As a politician, we would have expected him to sit on the fence and let others deal with it. He spoke openly about the term and even went as far as almost giving Tottenham fans the green light to continue using it. So debate over? Again, maybe not.

With black friends myself, I ask the question if I was to walk up to one and use the N word, would it be welcomed by them, or would they view it as 'motivated by hate'? Of course this scenario wouldn't happen amongst my group of friends but up and down the country we regularly hear stories of racism in society.

We don't have to stray too far from the football field to find cases of racism either, both John Terry and Luis Suarez were recently handed bans after being found guilty, yet no legal prosecution. Both cases were condemned by football fans up and down the country, even by some that still use the racist Y-word to either describe themselves, or another person.

Rapper Jay Z recently released a new song in the charts with the N word featured several times, some listeners, white and black will take offence to that, however it appears to be fine as it is not 'motivated by hate', yet some people that are offended by the word, myself included are just left to deal with it as it apparently is acceptable in the context of his song.

My final point is that a racist term is a racist term and that nobody can say otherwise. What can be argued is the motivation behind the use of the word. Tottenham fans don't use the word to abuse others, in fact they use it to endear themselves. Does it make it right? Unfortunately not in my view.

What may offend you, may not offend others, that is the world we live in today, however, we would all agree there is no room for racism in society, let alone football. As mentioned previously, if a group of people branded themselves with the N word, it certainly wouldn't be accepted, and even more certainly, David Cameron would not be defending them in his weekly parliament speech.

Do you think the word Yid is still a racist term? Are the FA right to try and force the banning of the word, or is Cameron right, should Tottenham fans be allowed to continue to use the word?

Let us know your thoughts.

Time to put the boot into Homophobia in Football

Normally the myth says a pot of gold can be found at the end of a rainbow, but this weekend gay rights charity Stonewall will be hoping some gold can be found at the feet of thousands of professional footballers across England and Scotland.

The charity have sent all 92 professional League Clubs in England some rainbow coloured laces as they try to gain the support of footballers. The campaign is aimed at changing the attitude towards homophobia in sport, rather than encouraging any footballers to come out as gay.

Robbie Rogers, formerly of Leeds and Stevenage announced he was gay last year after retiring from the sport, claiming it was impossible while he was playing because of the 'Pack mentality' that meant he feared he wouldn't be accepted in the game.

Rodgers has since gone back on his retirement and is currently plying his trade in the MLS with LA Galaxy.

The FA have had no involvement with the campaign and say it is 'up to each individual club and player' as to whether they join in with wearing the laces in matches this weekend across England and Scotland, but have promised to discuss the campaign with Stonewalls next year.

Everton, have been the first club to come forward and publicly confirm their support of the campaign, it remains uncertain as to how many others will do the same though. The campaign has had support from QPR midfielder Joey Barton who today tweeted: 'Sexuality in sport should not be an issue in 21st Century.'

The belief within the game is that attitudes are changing in football towards homosexuality. Work continues to try and rid the game of the image that saw Justin Fashanu commit suicide after publicly coming out.

This weekend, clubs and players have the chance to help enhance that image further by wearing the rainbow coloured laces for just 90 minutes. If every player was to come together and support the idea, it would show the watching crowd and media that the game has changed and that it is ready to embrace its first openly gay footballer in the English leagues.

You can show your support by wearing the rainbow coloured laces as well this weekend whether you are a semi-pro player, Sunday League or just having a kick around at the park.

This weekend potentially could go down as one of the historical moments......the moment football welcomed homosexuality into its sport.

 

Rainbow laces can be purchased here: http://www.biglaces.com/mall/departmentpage.cfm/BigLaces/_343294/1/Rainbow%2520Laces



Will you be wearing your rainbow coloured laces this weekend?

The cost of football, is it really worth it?

With unemployment rising, inflation rising and salaries being frozen, it still surprises many that football appears to be unaffected by the economic crisis that still looms large over England.

This week figures released showed that clubs across the country were making some efforts to reduce the cost of a matchday, however ticket prices were still the highest across Europe.

Season ticket prices in England did rise by nearly 4%, however matchday ticket prices did show a drop in price, but was it enough?

Many fans will be grateful for the small drop in price, however Supporters Federation Chairman Malcolm Clarke said enough wasn't done:

"The Premier League has had an eye-watering increase in its media income. For example, they could knock £50 off the price of every single ticket of every single game for every single spectator in the Premier League this season and still have the same amount of money as they previously had.

"Our message to the Premier League is 'you have huge money, you have done a bit but you can do much more'." he added.

Of course this year saw the start of a new mega-billion TV deal between media partners and the Premier League. The deal, believed to be worth around £3 Billion is the largest in Premier League history, however hasn't forced the change in ticket prices some fans thought it might.

In Southampton, some fans thought the price of football was too high and the game was moving away from supporters and closer to businesses and media.

Jack, 21 said: "The Premier League should force a cap on what teams can charge, the fans are suffering while clubs continue to spend crazy money on transfers. It is not fair."

This summer saw English clubs spend over £600 Million between them as they made the most of the new TV deal payments.

Despite many fans feeling they are charged too much for 90 minutes of football, some fans are only too happy to pay whatever to see their side. 45 year old Rob from Southampton has been following the Saints since he was 16 and told us he would pay whatever to see his beloved side.

"It is a passion, you pay whatever. I love watching Southampton and the cost is fine. You get more than 90 minutes of football today, you get entertainment, an atmosphere, the whole package."

Asked if he would be happy if Southampton raised ticket prices again next season he said:

"It would annoy some but I think to stay competitive we have to increase prices now and then. If it helped us get into Europe because we could afford that star player would people moan then?"

The debate rages on, does football in England cost the fans too much? Should clubs reduce ticket prices further or are they justified in what they charge?

Carlisle sacking could provide catalyst for overhaul

At 10:30AM today in the very north of England, Carlisle United sacked their manager Greg Abbott. Of course to many this news will be of very little importance, in fact it would have been ignored or not even seen by most eyes.

However, after Greg Dykes passionate speech last week regarding the state of the English game, the sacking of Abbott could in fact be seen as the perfect example of exactly what is wrong with English football.

It is common knowledge that the lower depths of League One are not the high life of the Premier League and certainly do not possess the riches of the worlds richest division, however, it is where a handful of English coaches are finding their feet.......or maybe not.

Abbott, not a household name across England let alone the world took charge of Carlise in 2008, he led them to Wembley twice and secured the club their highest finish in League One as they finished 8th in the 2011/12 season. The 49 year old was the third longest serving manager in England behind Arsene Wenger and Paul Tisdale of Exeter.

The sacking of Abbott though only serves to highlight the fact that English coaches are not being given the time to impress and even less are being given the opportunity to progress through the ranks.

This week former Tottenham and Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli blasted Dykes suggestion that foreign imports were to blame for the English sides failure, instead suggesting the FA should look at their own style of coaching, or lack of it:

"I thought [Dyke's] speech was very poor. The FA needs to produce better quality coaches, and more of them.

"In England a new manager comes in, then brings his mate to take charge of the under-12s. Most teams change managers about every 18 months, so that brings an incredible instability to the academy." added Comolli.

While Carlisle go in search of their first manager in nearly six years, this latest sacking in English football might just provide the kick start into some much needed soul searching at the FA as the need to overhaul the identity of football in England begins to outweigh the success of the game.

Do coaches and Managers in England need more support? Do you think the FA do enough to encourage more coaches in the English game?

Lone ranger Rickie can cope in Kiev

It is just over a year since England last played in Kiev, on that occasion it was to face a fancied Italian side in a European Championships Quarter Final, Tuesday night however sees Roy Hodgson return with his Three Lions as they look to go a long way to securing their spot at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Hodgson will be aware that a win for his Three Lions will put them in pole position to reach the 2014 World Cup, however, a draw or defeat will blow things wide open at the top of group H with their opposition and Montenegro on their tails.

The England boss will be up against it even more so as he has to travel to Kiev without several first teamer's due to injury and suspension. Phil Jones, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Andy Carroll and Glen Johnson are all missing, meaning that Hodgson is likely to hand Rickie Lambert the chance to shine alone up front for England in just his third cap.

The Southampton striker has scored in both of his England appearances so far, however Tuesday night will prove to be both his and Hodgson's sternest test yet. The rise of Lambert has been phenomenal and a match winning performance on Tuesday will all but secure both his and England's place at next Summers World Cup.

Ukraine warmed up for this clash with England by hammering minnows San Marino 9-0, while England were easily dispatching of Moldova 4-0. The hosts have met England twice in the last year. On the first occasion a Wayne Rooney goal was enough to see England progress at Euro 2012, meanwhile when the two sides met at Wembley earlier in this qualifying campaign, it was an 87th minute penalty from Frank Lampard which rescued England a 1-1 draw.

Lampard will be playing in his 100th game for England on Tuesday and like so many in the current England set up will know that this is his last chance to play at a World Cup. With Greg Dykes passionate speech about the state of the national game still ringing in the ears of many, Hodgson will be desperate to at least secure Englands place at the 2014 World Cup.

There is no doubting that this is Roy Hodgson's most important game as England manager so far. A win and England can start planning for next summer in Brazil, a draw and it is anybody's group, a defeat and England fans will have to start planning for a two legged play-off fixture.

Will England beat Ukraine in Kiev on Tuesday night?

Win a World Cup by 2022? On your bike Dyke

FA Chairman Greg Dyke this afternoon set England a challenge to win a World Cup by the year 2022, as part of the countries need to reform the national game, but was his challenge a step too far?

Every two years, expectant England fans (myself included) claim that 'this is our time', and yet time and time again we are left to bemoan and blame everyone but ourselves. Whether it be a dodgy referee, a freak goal or those dreaded penalties it never seems to be England's fault.

However, that all changed today a tiny bit as FA Chairman Dyke admitted that English football needed reforming to avoid "letting down the country and thousands of England football fans." The main issue seems obvious, however not so easy to approach. Last season just 32% of players in the Premier League were eligible to play for the England national side.

So how does the FA suggest we deal with this? Send your answers on a postcard as no explanation or plan was given other than a need "to work closely with the Premier League to deal with this frightening trend." A 'frightening trend' indeed, in 1995 just under 50% of players were English.

The warning from Dyke that things needed sorting was music to many ears, his next statement was not so. "I set a target that we win a World Cup by 2022." While extremely optimistic, it begs the question as to whether Dyke has completely misunderstood the challenge that faces him.

To reform the English national side, plans need to be drawn up to change the philosophy of the players. This plan needs to be implemented into players from as young of six or seven, allowing them to progress with a clear vision. The average age of a winning World Cup side is 27, so any hopes of winning a World Cup within 20 years seem unlikely.

Dyke of course should be congratulated for setting targets, something that has been missed by his predecessors, however his outlandish target seems to have overshadowed his much needed announcement.

Any plans to enhance the performance of our national side are welcome and I look forward to seeing what the FA and Premier League plan, however after the transfer window just slammed shut with a record amount spent on transfers, I can't see the Premier League accepting any proposals which will be detrimental to the worlds greatest league.

What would you say is the way forward for English football?