Saha expecting Rome racism

Manchester United striker Louis Saha fears racism will rear its ugly head again when his club face Roma in Italy.

Saha was speaking at a special conference at Old Trafford being held by Manchester United Foundation and Trafford's Children and Young People's service to address issues surrounding racism and bullying.

In front of more than 200 schoolchildren, Saha signed the Trafford Anti-Bullying Charter to reinforce the message that preventing bullying is the responsibility of every community member.

His stance comes just two days before United's UEFA Champions League dead-rubber clash with Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.

While the Kick It Out campaign has worked tirelessly to eradicate racism in England over the past decade, Saha recognises other European countries have not been so pro-active.

Asked whether racism was still prevalent in football today, the France international replied: "You will see it on Wednesday, I think."

"We are travelling to Italy, and in those kind of places it seems like they are used to it. They don't fight it like we have done in England."

"They are starting to recognise it and think about it, but not very strongly - whereas England is a good example of where it has been tackled."

Saha confirms there have been many instances during his career when he has been abused on the pitch, as well as one particular incident off it that he recalls very vividly.

"In football I've had many things thrown at me - but I've always been a very calm person. I try to keep everything inside," he said.

"Away from football it did happen once; I was 12 years old when I was with my father at a game between Paris St Germain and Sochaux at the Parc des Princes."

"I made a bad mistake of choosing the wrong coffee, so I went over to get another - but the area was full of skinheads."

"My father decided to stand up to them, and I was very impressed."

"He showed me how to react by being very calm and willing to do anything to protect me."

"From that day, I thought that is the way to fight it - because it is not right."

"We should not have to accept it in the 21st century, and things like this have to change."

Saha knows as a prominent footballer he has a role to play in combating racism, as well as bullying, especially because he is a father of two young children.

"In playing for the best club in the world, you have a massive image - and we have to show people the right way to live," he said.

"Just because of the situation we're in, it's not that we don't think about it. I come from a bad area - and I've never forgotten that."

"I have to think about the future of my children as well - and since having two children of mixed colour, I've become more passionate about this."

"Everyone has to understand it is a bad thing, that they shouldn't get used to it or turn their back. That's not the way to fight it."

"You have to be strong and stand up."

"Everybody has to understand it is not acceptable any more."

top