By MARTIN KEOWN
We’ve seen a lot of progress dealing with racism in this country but the vile obscenities Arsene Wenger has had to put up with are unacceptable.
Wenger is one of the nicest men on the planet and the accusation that he is a paedophile is, of course, absurd. It’s an embarrassment.
Like most players and managers who are abused, Wenger ignores it and remains professional but it is not easy.
I know from being the subject of chants that inside your blood is boiling, you are seething, but you have to get on with it.
I used it as motivation to make sure the opposition didn’t score against me, but what can Wenger do?
He’s standing on the touchline with no-one to turn to. It has an impact on your family too. They have to sit through it while people are giggling. It is demeaning.
There are lots of good people out there but there are idiots too. That kind of abuse makes you question your belief in the human race.
What can be done? It’s difficult as Sir Alex Ferguson has been commendable in writing to Manchester United fans in the past but it doesn’t seem to have had the desired effect.
Most United fans – and those at West Ham a month ago – must have felt embarrassed listening to those around them.
It is time to ban offenders.
Clubs should encourage people to hit back in a calm way by taking seat numbers and contacting the club.
The FA should look at ways to combat the problem – even if it means banning fans en masse.
