UK government calls soccer chiefs to summit to tackle racism
LONDON (AP) — The British government is calling soccer leaders to a summit to discuss the spate of racist abuse and other forms of discrimination in recent months.
Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling have been subjected to racism, and incidents of abuse have been reported from fans at clubs, including Chelsea and Millwall in London.
Sports Minister Mims Davies says "those involved in abuse are not football fans. They are using football as a cloak for discriminatory, and often criminal, behavior, and they are not welcome in our stadiums."
Officials are being invited to the summit from The Football Association, and the English Football League and English Premier League will be invited along with players' representatives and activists from anti-discrimination organization Kick It Out and LGBT group Stonewall.
