Boro FC star Mido in racism protest DVD

Oct 14 2008 by Paul James, The Journal

MIDDLESBROUGH striker Mido has spoken out against the racist chants from Newcastle fans in last season’s Tees-Tyne derby.

The Egyptian was abused by travelling supporters signing he had ‘a bomb’, in the 2-2 draw at the Riverside in which he scored ’Boro’s first goal.

Now the 25-year-old has spoken at length for the first time about the incident in a DVD for the Show Racism the Red Card charity, titled Islamophobia.

It features players, managers and schoolchildren from Thornhill School in Sunderland speaking about the effects of the 9/11 and 7/7 attacks on the everyday lives of Muslims.

Of the attacks, Mido says: “As Muslims we are ashamed of that. The religion never said to kill innocent people.”

And speaking about the abuse he received in the match last August, he says: “There is no reason at all to hear this abuse in our life or in football. I was very frustrated by it and very happy that I scored – very frustrating to see it in the English game because as players we are all well together.

“We are all well together wherever you come from, whatever your colour is, whatever your religion.

“We never had a problem of racism inside the dressing room and it should be the same for people as well – for supporters and people around the game to be the same.” The DVD, which the charity hopes will be made available in all schools, was launched yesterday at Newcastle United’s St James’s Park.

Former England defender Earl Barrett joined ex-Sunderland captain Gary Bennett and former ’Boro full-back Dean Gordon to promote the film.

On the film Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate spoke of his surprise at the chants from Newcastle fans at the match last August. He said: “You shouldn’t judge people because of their religion. It’s whether they are good or bad people.

“We’ve got two or three Muslim players with us now and it’s not something that is even mentioned within our dressing room or club.

“Although we know that when we played Newcastle United unfortunately Mido suffered some abuse from the terraces that day. But it’s not something that had even crossed our minds before that incident.”

At yesterday’s launch, Show Racism the Red Card project co-ordinator, Ged Grebby, said challenging racism was now more complex than ‘black or white’ issues.

Of the Mido incident he said: “It was blown up in some of the national press. The fact is the majority of Geordies in that crowd did not chant that. It was a handful of people.

“Newcastle as a club, Middlesbrough as a club, the fans, players and managers all acted really well.

“From being a negative incident, we turned it into a positive message saying that football won’t tolerate that.”

Call for points to be deducted

FORMER Sunderland captain Gary Bennett yesterday called for points to be deducted from England’s World Cup rivals Croatia for their fans’ racist chanting.

Fifa fined the Croatian Football Federation £15,000 for racist behaviour by their fans during the World Cup qualifier with England last month.

Monkey chants were heard from a section of the Maksimir Stadium when England striker Emile Heskey was booked for fouling Niko Kovac.

Croatia were also fined during Euro 2008 for racist abuse from their fans during their game against Turkey.

And yesterday Bennett said deducting points was the only way the likes of Croatia would get the anti-racism message. He said: "The punishment is nothing. But if you start deducting points the Croatian FA night start acting upon it.

"They’ll be laughing at the fine, it’s not going to affect them and it isn’t going to stop them."

A friendly with Spain has been personally requested by England coach Fabio Capello, but the English FA are keen to avoid a return to Madrid, mindful of the racism problems England experienced last time they visited the Spanish capital four years ago.

Shaun Wright-Phillips was abused – along with Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Jermain Defoe and Jermaine Jenas. The Spanish Federation (RFEF) were eventually fined £45,000.

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