Racially Abused Player 'cried On My Chest' - Rooney

Wayne Rooney revealed a subordinate "cried connected his chest" aft being racially abused during his clip successful complaint of Major League Soccer nine DC United, and has called for greater anti-racism acquisition campaigns.

The erstwhile England and Manchester United awesome besides wants to spot clubs punished much severely for racism from fans.

Rooney, speaking connected his caller BBC podcast, discussed what tin beryllium done to eliminate racism successful nan Premier League.

It comes aft Bournemouth guardant Antoine Semenyo reported he was racially abused by personification successful nan crowd during nan Cherries' 4-2 conclusion by Liverpool connected Friday.

"I had it successful DC pinch 1 of my players who sewage racially abused and he was crying connected my chest. I was holding him arsenic he was crying connected my chest," he said connected nan Wayne Rooney Show.

"I don't deliberation group realise - they opportunity it arsenic a throwaway statement that they deliberation has nary meaning down it, but it hurts people. For group to spot that and understand, location has to beryllium much done to extremity it."

Friday's Premier League opener astatine Anfield was temporarily halted successful nan 29th infinitesimal aft Semenyo reported nan maltreatment to nan referee.

A 47-year-old man from Liverpool, who was arrested connected suspicion of racially aggravated nationalist bid offence, has been banned from each shot stadium successful nan UK and conditionally bailed.

Rooney added that anti-discrimination acquisition for each ages is basal but besides wants to spot stronger sanctions for clubs.

"There needs to beryllium a beardown run for nine - for children, parents and grandparents - to beryllium educated," Rooney added.

"You person to deed nan clubs because that's nan only measurement it will stop. If location is ignorance, nan fans will still do it.

"You person to deed nan clubs by taking disconnected points aliases deed them successful nan pouch and return money distant from them. Otherwise, it will support connected going.

"Hopefully nan correct group beryllium down pinch nan correct organisations to effort and get thing superior successful place."

The Football Association (FA), according to norm E20.1, has nan powerfulness to enforce financial penalties aliases a stadium closure (whether partial aliases full) connected clubs deemed to person not acted upon reports of racist abuse.

In 2023, League Two nine Gillingham were fined £12,500 by nan FA for 3 counts of misconduct pursuing racist and sexist maltreatment by their supporters.