PFA to make racist abuse a sackable offence

Zeenews Sports Bureau

After two high profile cases of racial abuse in the 2011-12 season, involving Luis Suarez and John Terry, Professional Footballers` Association (PFA) is contemplating changes in the Premier League and Football League player contracts to make racist abuse a sackable offence. The PFA will forward the proposal to the Professional Football Negotiating and Consultative Committee. "I don`t see a problem with that being introduced," said Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the PFA. "It just highlights the point in the standard players` contract. It would say that racist abuse, if found guilty, will be classed as gross misconduct and a reason to terminate a contract. I feel it`s important to highlight it, bearing in mind what has happened, and not mess about with it and not afford for anybody to be ambiguous about what the consequences are.” "I`m not saying it`s ambiguous [now]. But just to really put it in there means there is no misunderstanding on how serious we take it. If any player is found guilty of racist abuse, the club and the player need to be aware that could be a solid reason for terminating the contract,” Taylor added.