Players to receive racism guidance

Premier League and Football League players
will receive guidance from the Professional
Footballers' Association about tackling
racist language.
The PFA sessions will focus on what is deemed
banter or acceptable jibes towards opponents
and what is not.
Managers of all 92 clubs have been contacted
by the PFA asking them to make sure the
players attend.
PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said: "We
need to avoid any embarrassment again after
recent cases."
During the last two seasons where Chelsea
defender John Terry and Liverpool striker Luis
Suarez have both received bans for racial
abuse.
New FA sanctions carry a minimum five-match
ban for a first offence of racist or homophobic
abuse.
In the sessions, players will be given scenarios
where abuse occurs - either from fans or from
other players - and guided as to their correct
response.
They will also be asked to judge what they
regard as dressing-room banter and told
whether their views are appropriate.
As well as racist and homophobic language,
players will also be warned not to use
discriminatory terms referring to religion or
disability.
Players will also be warned that new contracts
will carry clauses making abuse a gross
misconduct offence that could lead to
immediate dismissal by a club.
The letter from the PFA to the managers states:
"We are looking to arrange this session in the
near future and would appreciate you ensuring
players attend as a matter of priority."