Gabby wants firm racism stance

Football

Gabby Agbonlahor: Says racism must be dealt with after a game and cannot be left on the pitch

Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor believes racism cannot be left on the field - it has to be dealt with afterwards.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter recently caused outrage when he claimed that racist abuse between players on the pitch should be settled by a handshake, although he has since insisted his comments had been misunderstood.Live on Sky SportsvsTottenham v A VillaNovember 21, 2011 7:00pm

The Football Association has recently charged Liverpool's Luis Suarez with racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra, and a racism investigation against John Terry is still going on, and Agbonlahor believes it is right for the authorities to get involved.

He told the Sunday Times: "For something racist to come out of your mouth on a pitch, for me that means you are racist.

"If you're angry at somebody winding you up, there's other things you could call them, names that everybody in football uses.

"I've been angry at people in games, I've used the c-word, call them a b******, the bad words people use, but for something racist to come out of your mouth, almost without you realising what you're saying, that relates to who you are as a person.

"That cannot be left on the field - it has to be dealt with afterwards."

Not lodge

"For something racist to come out of your mouth on a pitch, for me that means you are racist."
Gabby AgbonlahorQuotes of the week

Back in 2008, the Aston Villa striker opted not to lodge an official complaint over alleged remarks made by Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton during a match at St James' Park after a confrontation involving the pair following a first-half foul.

Agbonlahor added: "With him it's a different situation. Everybody's got their opinion of him, he's just a different character.

"When the thing happened, I could have done something about it, through the FA or whatever, but I decided to let it go. I wouldn't say it was racist.

"From his point of view maybe it was a joke, I didn't take it personally. It was just him as a person. He has calmed down a lot since joining QPR. He's concentrating on his football and when he does that he's a good player."