Racism in European football

Emile Heskey’s treatment at the hands of Macedonian fans yesterday is the latest in a growing line of racist incidents involving English players in Europe.

Here the Press Association takes a look at some of the high-profile recent incidents of racist abuse.

2002:

September 17: Liverpool’s Emile Heskey and El Hadji Diouf are subjected to racist abuse during the 2-0 Champions League defeat to Valencia in the Mestalla Stadium.

September 19: Racist abuse and flares were hurled by Hajduk Split fans during Fulham’s 1-0 victory in Croatia in the first round of the UEFA Cup with Barry Hayles their main target.

September 25: Arsenal’s Thierry Henry was subjected to racial taunts by sections of the PSV Eindhoven crowd during his side’s 4-0 victory. Henry was also pelted with coins and cigarette lighters as he prepared to take corners. The France striker later threatened to walk off the pitch if it occurred again. Defender Ashley Cole revealed the racist chants were not solely directed at Henry but also other black players in the team.

October 3: Blackburn striker Andy Cole is targeted by CSKA Sofia fans during Rovers’ 3-3 UEFA Cup draw in the Bulgarian capital.

October 10: Ipswich duo Marcus Bent and Finidi George were abused and spat at during Town’s UEFA Cup second leg victory over FK Sartid in Yugoslavia.

October 12: England players Emile Heskey and Ashley Cole victimised during 2-1 victory over Slovakia in Bratislava.

2003:

March 19: Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira accuses Valencia fans of racially abusing him after a Champions League clash in Spain.

September 6: Emile Heskey on the receiving end of terrace taunts after going on as a second-half substitute in England’s 2-1 win in Macedonian capital Skopje.