Tom Goodenough Tom Goodenough

Do we really need a football hate crime police officer?

(Getty images)

Marcus Rashford is right when he says the racist abuse he has received is ‘humanity and social media at its worst’. And it is right too that police take action against those who target football players like him because of the colour of their skin. But is it wise to appoint a dedicated hate crime officer based in a football unit, as West Midlands Police have done? The argument for doing so is not convincing.

Why? Because when the abuse levelled at footballers goes too far, police have already shown they can be swift to act. Greater Manchester Police is investigating the latest racism directed at Rashford, and it would come as no surprise if arrests are soon made. 

But while this abuse is awful, let’s be clear: we are not seeing a return to the dark days of the 80s when such racism in football was rife. Back then, a football hate crime officer may have been justified.

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