Silence

Which bit of “The answer is not positive discrimination, shoe horning people into jobs they are not suited for, but to ask why aren’t certain groups of people suitable for those jobs. And do something about developing ALL people to be able to fit into those roles, not just the select cliques” are you struggling with?

Where did I say anything about positive discrimination? Where did I say that any particular club has to make quotas?

I am remarking on the general fact that in football, when you add up all the directors, chief executives, managers, directors of football etc etc etc, the vast majority are white British. I am actually attacking organisations like Kick It Out if you weren’t so knee-jerk prejudiced to realise it. My point is that there is true discrimination out there that they ought to be concentrating on, not attacking people that they may have used an outdated expression.

The answer is not positive discrimination, shoe horning people into jobs they are not suited for, but to ask why aren’t certain groups of people suitable for those jobs. And do something about developing ALL people to be able to fit into those roles, not just the select cliques.

And if you had even bothered to read the end of the paragraph you have so helpfully highlighted, you will see that I am also complaining that white working-class ordinary supporters have no voice on FA committees.

So get off your high horse.

You ought to go and watch Chorley some time.

Time travelling football – really enjoyable.

My political views are far left. Like it or lump it they are.

I loathe racism, discrimination, anything that deems anyone else inferior or shouldn’t be given a chance.

But – I do not think Whelan is a racist. I do not see anything in his comments other than being naive in the current climate.

Yes – he should have at worst consulted Latics PR people, at best kept quiet.

What he said may be deemed by some to be offensive, but I really fail to see a huge issue.

He has not called people “chinks”, but said that many people (and I know he said all, but cut him some slack) have used the expression. And that is true. “Fancy a chinky for tea?” is well known. Acceptable? I don’t know. I haven’t asked anyone Chinese, but I suspect there are bigger insults.

“Jews like money” he said, but then added which is pushed to one side “as do we all”. Has he portrayed them all as Shylock, and suggested they should be deported to camps? No. He has (probably unwisely) said they like money – like the rest of us – not least Dave Whelan.

Yes – he should have stayed schtum (am I allowed to say that?). He’s not done us any favours. But it’s a storm in a teacup by the perennially offended.

I am hugely offended by chairmen never appointing minority group chief executives, minority group managers and minority group directors of football. I am offended by FA committees being full of white, men in suits – no place for ordinary football fans of whatever background, race, creed or such. Even white man-in-the street fans get no look in. That surely is discriminatory.

I am offended that David Gold can pontificate when he made his fortune in porn (no problem with that per se, but now to come across as holier than thou is laughable).

I am offended that an MP who has a history of creepy texting to a junior member of staff now is demanding that the FA take action.

I am offended that people who espouse loudly the freedom of speech, and condemn journalists hacking private messages, are now on a witchhunt over people saying what they think, gleaned from private messages between friends.

I do not condone Dave Whelan’s comments. He would have been better off keeping quiet. But it is not a hanging offence.

Today’s news is tomorrows chip wrappers, as my Granny used to say.

Mind you – I wouldn’t like to tell you what else she used to say. :ohmy:

…. besides the fact that there is also a difference between branded and criminally convicted.

Moved

Of course I had the good fortune of being born in Everton, so am among God’s chosen few.