Prince Williamis sending support to a youth soccer club that has experienced racism on the field.
Sky Newsreports that the Prince of Wales, 40, sent a letter to Alpha United Juniors in Bradford, England, saying he was “deeply concerned” about the situation. According to the outlet, William confirmed he’s contacted The Football Association (FA), the governing body of soccer in England, about the claims, after the chair of Alpha United reached out to Kensington Palace about feeling frustrated with the local FA chapter’s investigation.
“Racism and abuse has no place in our society. Abhorrent behaviour of this nature must stop now and all those responsible be held to account,” William wrote to Alpha United Juniors, per Sky News.Prince Williamhas served as president of the FA since 2005.
Sky News reported that Mohammed Waheed, chair of Alpha United, wrote to the palace in January, andPrince Williamsent the letter last month. The outlet said that the club first spoke out in November, “revealing how for years players as young as seven, have been on the receiving end of slurs and even threats of violence from the sidelines.”
Since coming forward, Waheed told Sky News reporter Shingi Mararike that about 40 other clubs have contacted him to share similar experiences.
“When we’ve been going out, obviously playing other teams who have been minority ethnic, they’ve all said the same thing — ‘Can’t believe you’ve done that, but good on you guys,’ " he said in asegment.
In a statement, local chapter West Riding FA said that Alpha United did not comply with all necessary steps of the investigation.
“We strongly condemn all forms of discrimination and we will always do our utmost to hold perpetrators to account,” a spokesperson told Sky News. “In order for us to gather evidence, raise charges, and issue sanctions against perpetrators, we require witnesses to engage with our judicial process. Despite our best efforts, the club did not support this process.”
Despite the disagreement, Naz Shah, the Member of Parliament for Bradford West, said that it was due time for the FA to intervene.
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“You’ve got a child being called [offensive] names, that is not okay for anybody in society, there is no place for racism,” Shah told the outlet. “We have made pledges and to show racism the red card, where are those pledges when it comes to grassroots football?”
Prince Williamhas previouslydenounced racismin soccer at the game’s highest level. In July 2021, he spoke out after Team England players Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho weredeluged with online attacksafter they missed penalty kicks that helped secure Italy’s win in the Euro 2020 final.
source: people.com
