Calvert-Lewin Calls For United Stance Against Racism

Dominic Calvert-Lewin says it is vital football stands together to combat racism.

There have been examples of abhorrent social media messages directed at players including Manchester United’s Paul Pogba and Tammy Abraham of Chelsea in recent weeks.

A host of prominent footballers have joined the condemnation of such behaviour this week, with the likes of Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford posting statements reaffirming that there is no place for racism in football - or society.

Calvert-Lewin believes a united front shown by players and fans alike is an effective way to focus attention on how best to eradicate racism from the game.

“People are often afraid of what they don’t know or don’t understand,” said Calvert-Lewin.

“It’s a tough subject and it’s not right that it’s happening in this day and age.

“You look at players like Raheem [Sterling, who was subjected to abuse playing for Manchester City last season] making a stand - and how the Manchester United players are standing together.

“It’s a great shame for it [racial abuse] to be in the game… but as long as there are things being done to combat it, with people sticking together, that is the best way to keep going.”

Everton’s new striker Moise Kean was subjected to racist abuse when playing for former club Juventus in a match at Cagliari back in April.

A fundraising platform was created by Evertonians earlier this month to pay for a banner supporting Kean and condemning racism. That fundraising campaign smashed through its £1,000 target inside 24 hours and is continuing to grow.

The banner will be unfurled in Goodison Park’s Howard Kendall Gwladys Street End at a home fixture next month.

Such collective defiance in the face of racist behaviour, coupled with strong, high-profile condemnation across the football family, is sending a strong positive message.

Marco Silva talked in his weekly press conference on Thursday of the imperative of driving discriminatory behaviour not only out of sport but also out of society.

The manager’s stance reflects that of the club. Everton last year launched the All Together Now campaign to celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity, with the Club operating a zero-tolerance policy concerning any form of discrimination.

Calvert-Lewin believes there is now an onus on social media platforms to do more to deal with anonymous trolls posting racist comments and remarks targeted at players.

He added: “Anyone can make an account and be anonymous. It gives them a platform to voice their opinions on whatever it may be. It’s down to the higher people to try to combat that.”