MPs to investigate racism in sport

Racism in sport will be investigated by an influential parliamentary committee, it was announced today.

The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee confirmed it would look into the issue later this year after a series of high profile race rows have plagued football in recent weeks.

England captain John Terry has been accused of racially abusing a player - a claim he strenuously denies - and Liverpool's Uruguayan star Luis Suarez has received an eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

On Friday, Oldham defender Tom Adeyemi broke down in tears after apparently being subjected to racist abuse from a supporter in the stands at Anfield during an FA Cup clash with Liverpool.

A 20-year-old man from Aintree was arrested and bailed for allegedly racially abusing the player at the weekend.

A provisional date for the session has been set for March 6 and a Committee spokeswoman said it is likely that witnesses will be called.

Steve Rotheram, Labour MP for Liverpool Walton and a member of the Committee, said: "I continue to support the Show Racism the Red Card initiative and believe, given the nature of recent events, that it would be appropriate for this issue to be looked at by parliamentarians from all parties and from different football, sporting and non-sporting allegiances.

"Sport should be rightly proud that in many ways it has led the field in tackling social issues such as racism, homophobia and sectarianism and it will be interesting to see what conclusions the Select Committee draw from the evidence session."

PA