Luther Blissett: 'Long way to go' to tackle racism in football

The all-time top scorer for the Hornets admitted that the issue of racism in football has improved over the years but notes there is room for improvement – particularly in the boardroom.

Throughout his career, Blissett used his role to get across an anti-racism message, and his work in getting the message across is partly why he was made freeman of the borough.

And in an online meeting on March 8 held by Radlett Action for Racial Equality (RARE), Blissett discussed some ongoing racial issues within football.

Despite some black coaches and managers starting to break through in recent years, Blissett said there was too much focus on representation in the playing side of the game, when diversity is also needed in the boardroom.

The former striker said: “When you talk about the strides that are being made, there's now far more coaches and now one or two managers. But why do we only look at the coaching and playing side of the game?

“Football is a business, but anyone of any ethnicity should be able to get in the boardroom. No one looks at that side enough.”

And the anonymity behind certain social media accounts got the blame for continued racism seen from fans over the pandemic despite stadiums being shut.

“Social media has played a major part in that, because people sat at home are in the mindset that they can write whatever they like because nobody knows who they are,” said Blissett.

In the wake of Black Lives Matter protests last summer, footballers have been actively ‘taking the knee’ to show their solidarity with the movement.

Blissett however fears that the gesture could lose its meaning and power if players and notable icons continue to do so out of habit.

He said: “Take the knee, absolutely, shine a big light on it. But you need to also be out there, doing something.

“People are taking the knee, but what else are they doing?”

But despite the call for more to be done in tackling racism, he admitted that things have much improved than the situation it was in at the height of his career.

He said: “We need to also acknowledge all the positives that have happened. Racism has definitely improved - it's not perfect, we've got a long way to go but we've improved and we should recognise that.”