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Walsall star Kevin Betsy talks about racism on and off the pitch
Apr 30 2008 Submitted by Dan Tennant-Ralphs
WALSALL midfielder Kevin Betsy has spoken about the racism he has encountered on the pitch.
The 30-year-old talked about experiencing monkey chants from fans and slurs from players during his 11-year career.
He said the abuse was unacceptable, but is not in favour of walking off the pitch in protest.
Instead, he believes steps should be taken to ban racist supporters from grounds. He also states that he has never had any problems while playing for Bristol City, the club from which he is currently on loan at Walsall.
Filmed wearing a T-shirt with the logo, 'One Game For All, Without Racism', Betsy talked about abuse he received while playing for other clubs.
He said: "The team we were playing against, one of the players came out with something. At first I was a bit shocked, but I thought 'Let's get on with the game'.
"It was surprising, but these things happen in games. We played one Eastern European team and I had monkey chants. It's not an acceptable thing. I think it's a cultural thing"
Asked if he would ever walk off the pitch, he said: "That's a bit drastic. England players that suffered mass racism in Spain did not walk off the pitch. I've just got to brush it off, but after the match you reflect on it.
"It's difficult for an individual player to do something, it's more a matter for the football authorities.
"FIFA should clamp down on it. Banning supporters from entering the grounds is one way.
"There's not many other ways of doing it. Taking points from clubs is one, but it's an open subject."
Asked what advice he would give to young players suffering racial abuse, he said: "Don't retaliate or react to it. Be positive and beat them on the pitch through football.
"After the game, have a polite word and say 'do you know what you said?' If you try to put a positive thing and let football do the talking and confront them in a nice manner, then you'll always be a winner."
To see the interview, recorded by Bristol-based student journalist Dan Tennant-Ralphs, click here or visit Dan's website by clicking here
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