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Wenger - Football has big responsibility

Arsène Wenger
Ars

Arsene Wenger believes football has the power to take a leading role in eradicating racism from society.

Chelsea have initially suspended three supporters from Stamford Bridge following an incident on Tuesday evening in Paris.

The Arsenal manager says anybody guilty of racial abuse must be banned from attending matches but accepts that the issue of discrimination is one that goes beyond sport.

“I found it [the Paris incident] sad,” Wenger said. “Have you seen the pictures? I don't know how you can find any happiness in these kind of pictures. I think even English people are shocked as that's not the image I have of English fans.

“I still think in England it is a small problem, in France it is a small problem, but no matter how small it is, you have to try to eradicate it completely.

“Football is the most popular sport, the most public sport, the most [high-profile in media] sport, and that is why we have to have a bigger responsibility.

“Of course you accept that - I don't speak for me or you, I speak for a boy of 10 years old and sees that, that is the problem. We are old enough and strong enough to think that is stupid.

“You are against any signs of racism whether it is against a player at your club or from another club, we have to be conscious of that.”