Newcastle United play Middlesbrough in the English Premier League at St. James’ Park on Sunday and Boro’s Egyptian international striker Mido is already looking to escaping from the abuse by the Toon Army. Earlier in the season in the corresponding fixture, Mido was singled out as the target of the Newcastle fans’ abuse and there were even one or two hints of racial cants.
Sky Sports quotes the player telling The Daily Mirror:
Hopefully we won’t hear the same chants again because it’s silly and should absolutely be kept out of everyday life and that includes football. I hope we don’t hear it again. It’s not only about me, it’s about everyone. If they do start chanting again I’ll make sure I keep my head calm and aim to do well for the team. It’s terrible when you hear people making chants about race, colour, religion or whatever. If you see what is happening now in England you do not normally hear that sort of stuff in everyday life. Now people are starting to understand that there is no difference between people and that everyone is doing their best in their own walks of life. There is no difference between the religions and colours and everyone should understand that. I wouldn’t say that if I do hear it that it would increase my determination or my efforts. I just hope if we do hear it again the Football Association takes the right decisions. I will go to Newcastle and I just plan to play my football and I hope to do well and score goals.
The Geordie fans have of course strongly dismissed any racial abuse towards the player but Mido would beg to agree. Well, the jury is out. Decide for yourself, mates.
Caughtoffside.com – Sports blog, Football blog offering Football news