Recent events such as the Luarez Suarez ban, the John Terry court case and subsequent FA charge, the Rio Ferdinand tweet, the Clarke Carlisle TV documentary, the successful prosecution of users of social networking sites and the sending home of a Swiss player from the Olympic tournament have highlighted the issue of racism in and around football. An employment tribunal has reached a verdict of unfair dismissal against a football club for sacking one of its players who cited racism as a reason. Gillingham’s chairman, Paul Scally, has vowed to fight the verdict, claiming his club are an equal opportunities employer and would never endorse racist behaviour. Jeremy Robson tackles this sensitive issue and, while approving the verdict, wonders whether business provided the true motivation for the club’s action …
