Eto’o calls for ‘responsibility’ in fight against racism
“Everyone has to take responsibility,” Primera Liga top scorer Eto’o told Marca sports daily in an interview published yesterday.
Spanish club Racing Santander were later facing disciplinary action after some of the top flight strugglers’ fans subjected Eto’o to racist abuse in Sunday’s 2-2 draw.
In response, Eto’o kicked the corner flag as he went to celebrate a goal.
Earlier this season, he had threatened to walk off the pitch after some fans at Real Zaragoza directed monkey noises at him. Zaragoza were subsequently fined a paltry €9,000 by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
“I just can’t understand why the fans often behave this way,” said Eto’o.
“I had to put up with racist chanting right from the start and celebrating a goal that way was better than making an ugly gesture to the crowd as it let out all the anger.”
Spain’s government last month tabled a bill aimed at clamping down on racism and doping in sport, harmonising its legislation with the EU equivalent, following several outbreaks of racist behaviour at grounds.
Under a new anti-racism crackdown launched by FIFA last month, offending clubs face a three-point deduction for a first offence, six for a second and could even be relegated in the case of repeated incidents.
A three-point deduction for Santander would have sent them into the relegation zone but the RFEF is still in the process of adopting the new guidelines.
Meanwhile, Villarreal’s Brazilian-born naturalised Spanish star Marcos Antonio Senna da Silva said he condemned what had happened to Eto’o, while insisting that Spaniards are generally not racist.
“There are problems of this kind all over the place, Brazil included.
“But you can’t tar everyone with the same brush. I’ve never been on the end of such chants - and I hope its stays that way.”
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