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Kitson: “I have never tolerated and will never tolerate any form of racism. I admire Raheem for starting the fight and saying, ‘No, I’m not going to have this.'”
Last update: 05/03/20 6:30 pm
Raheem Sterling was racially abused during a game at Stamford Bridge in December 2018
Dave Kitson apologized for the “awkward language” he used in an interview two years ago when analyzing the racist abuse suffered by Raheem Sterling.
Kitson, a former Reading, Portsmouth and Stoke forward, has come forward as a possible replacement for Gordon Taylor as head of the Association of Professional Footballers (PFA).
However, there has been a backlash against Kitson’s possible candidacy, due to comments he made in an interview with TalkSport after Manchester City striker Sterling was racially abused during a 2018 match against Chelsea.
Kitson told the Daily mirror His words were misrepresented and he actually expressed sympathy for Sterling, who had been the victim of abuse on social media, but also said he regretted the way he had expressed himself.
Dave Kitson intends to run for PFA president
He said: “I had looked at Raheem’s social media feed and that, at first it was about his cars and houses, I was pleased to see that he had changed it, because there is a lot of jealousy out there, and I knew what it was like to have been end of unjustified abuse.
“I said I gave people a reason not to like him as a person.”
“It’s not that he did something wrong with his social media account, but he gave certain people a platform to express their unsavory and misinformed opinions.”
“But I am concerned that somehow this has become a suggestion that I condoned the shocking abuse Raheem suffered or otherwise asked for. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
“Maybe I used awkward language and that’s why I apologize.
“But I have never tolerated and will never tolerate any form of racism.
“I admire Raheem for starting the fight and saying, ‘No, I’m not going to have this.’ And I agree with him.
“More needs to be done. And I’m ready to do it.”
Darren Lewis from Daily mirror saying Sky Sports: “Until today, the time when people can make their own decisions, I really haven’t had an acceptable response from Dave regarding comments he made in a radio interview after Raheem Stering was racially abused.
Kitson wants to replace Gordon Taylor as executive director of the players union, the PFA
“At the time it seemed to suggest that Sterling was causing the racial abuse itself.”
“I would have liked to see him come out and address the strong reaction to those comments at the time.
“In doing so now he wants to lead the organization of which a large contingent are black players, old and current, it doesn’t resonate with many people, and I’m sure those people will come out to clarify their views.”
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