A storm breaks over Anfield

In the past few months, one word has become synonymous with Liverpool FC and with the Premier League in general: racism. On an international scale, Sepp Blatter made headlines before Christmas when he was quoted saying that racism on the pitch could be sorted out “with a handshake”, but closer to home, fans and players alike are painting a very grim picture of English football.

It seems as if the footballing world is not at all equipped to handle situations such as Suárez’s racially-abusive comments to Patrice Evra. Liverpool misjudged the situation completely, and has since had to deal with a harsh media-backlash. They should perhaps have taken a leaf out of Chelsea’s book, and remained tight-lipped.

England Captain John Terry made headlines in October when he allegedly made racist comments to Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand. The Chelsea defender, who has denied any wrong-doing, will appear before West London Magistrates Court on 1 February, with a possible maximum fine of £2,500.

Chelsea released this statement: “John has made it clear he denies the charge and is determined to do all he can to prove his innocence. Chelsea FC has always been fully supportive of John in this matter and will continue to be so. The club finds all forms of discrimination abhorrent and we are proud of the work we undertake campaigning on this important issue.”

Whilst shocking to fans at the time, the Terry saga has been largely overshadowed by the recent events at Liverpool. Luis Suárez has begun serving an eight-match ban given to him after he racially abused Manchester United’s Patrice Evra during a match in December. LFC have been widely criticised for the way they handled the situation, with Suárez condemned for not apologising to Evra.

In a pre-match warm-up before a game against Wigan on 21 December, Liverpool players wore t-shirts bearing Suárez’s name and photograph. A well-meant gesture, but one which caused a very negative reaction.

Former Manchester United player Paul McGrath tweeted: “As an ex footballer having experienced racist comments throughout my career I was saddened to see Liverpool players wear those t-shirts… I would have been much happier if they had worn anti racist t-shirts.”

Blackburn defender Jason Roberts joined in: “The stance on the Suarez issue from LFC has bemused me… are United going to print Evra shirts now????? Some issues are bigger than football.”

Liverpool’s complete backing of Suárez before the FA investigation meant that when he was found guilty, they were unable to condemn his actions and so were seen to be supportive of his racially-abusive comments. Silence was perhaps needed from them, and had they restrained themselves and not commented until after the judgement on Suárez, they could have avoided the press-slating which followed.

Chelsea made sure that the press knew they backed Terry, but they did not take such support to the extremes of Liverpool, whose t-shirts were seen as crass and misjudged.

In the past week another investigation has been ongoing at Liverpool, this time involving a 20-year-old man from Aintree who apparently shouted insulting racist comments to Oldham defender Tom Adeyemi during the FA Cup clash last Friday. The Liverpool fan was arrested under a ‘racially aggravated public order offence’ for his outburst.

LFC are working with the police, and have officially apologised to Adeyemi. They have also promised to ban the accused from attending matches at Anfield for life if he is found guilty of racial assault.

Kenny Dalglish has said: “Over the past few weeks there has been a perception that the football club isn't doing what it should be doing, but I don't think the football club would ever go down that road. We will always support the official campaigns related to racism. We don't want racism anywhere near football and certainly not anywhere near this football club.”

The eight-match ban handed to Luis Suárez is a sign that the FA are not taking this matter lightly, and the life-ban promised for the Liverpool fan is a gesture that they want to move in the right direction. The past three decades have seen enormous progress being made by all parties within the game in regards to racism, and fans of football will be hoping that 2012 will be a year for continuing the hard work, not undoing it.