Fight Against Racism: Premier League Bosses want more severe punishment OR 'we have to stop games'

Premier League Managers Pep Guardiola of Manchester City (left), Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool (middle) and Muarizio Sarri (right) join forces to fight Racism in Football

A number of Premier League Managers led by Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp are saying, they would be prepared to take their players off the pitch in a bid to combat racist abuse.


Guardiola, Manchester City Manager, believes racism is "getting worse" in Europe.

He further said, "Football is a strong weapon to defend the principles of humanity."

Liverpool's Klopp says football "has to do everything" to prevent racism, while Chelsea's Maurizio Sarri suggests a 10-minute break in the first instance.

Neil Warnock, Cardiff City Boss, said punishment has to be more severe than it is now, suggesting teams whose fans were responsible for racist chanting could be kicked out of a tournament.

"I remember a long time ago, people said you cannot mix football and politics. That is not true. Human rights is anywhere," Guardiola, former Barcelona Manager said.

The issue of how football should tackle racism comes after England players - including City's Raheem Sterling and Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi - were targeted by racist chanting during Monday's Euro 2020 qualifier in Montenegro.

48-year old Guardiola said, "The situation only changes when you do something. When you do nothing it just stays the same."

"That is why when people like Raheem expressed what he did it is better for our society."

Klopp says he would have no qualms in taking his players off the pitch depending on the severity of the situation.

"Whatever I could do, I would do. We have to stop games, we have to do everything," the 51-year-old German said.

"If I take the players off and somebody says, 'It was not that serious', you lose the game - our job is to win football games.

"But if the whole stand would do it then it is completely different."