Robertson: Act on evidence

Sports minister Hugh Robertson has called on clubs and the police to take action against racism following a Sky Sports News investigation.

Last Updated: 12/02/13 at 08:36

Hugh Robertson: Action must be taken against racism

Hugh Robertson: Action must be taken against racism

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The Special Report team visited grounds from lower leagues to the Premier League last year and although abuse was not widespread, several incidents of vile chanting were recorded.

The broadcast focused largely on incidents at Millwall, where Leeds striker El-Hadji Diouf was subjected to 56 separate incidents of abuse by five white men.

And, in light of the broadcast, Robertson has called for the club and police to act on the evidence gathered by Sky Sports News.

He said: "I've always thought football has moved forward from where it was 20 or 30 years ago.

"But we have always known that this is not a battle that is won in any way, shape or form and that is precisely what your film proves.

"I think the message is very clear. It would help enormously if you would hand that evidence over to the clubs. I hope they will in turn hand it over directly to the police and we will see if criminal incidents have taken place.

"Then what is really important is that anybody involved in this sort of behaviour is identified and if found guilty are then punished.

"I suspect that one of the reasons that clubs may have not taken action in the past is because of the lack of evidence. Clearly as a result of what you have shown, that evidence is there so there is little or no reason for the clubs or the police not to take effective action."

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