Anti-racism cash in doubt

The cashflow problems of the Football Association have cast a shadow over the future of funding for anti-racism campaigns, it was admitted yesterday. The FA's acting chief executive, David Davies, said he would fight to maintain the £75,000 paid annually to the anti-racism body Kick It Out, but that all its spending was under review.

Davies, speaking at the United Against Racism conference, organised by Uefa at Stamford Bridge involving delegates from all 52 European associations, said: "We are assessing everything that we spend money on, and quite rightly so. It is no secret that we have real commitments that we didn't have a very short time ago.

"Having said that, our commitment is quite clear. We recognise the responsibilities that we have and I have no evidence at all that any of my colleagues are less committed to use the power of football against racism than they were last week or last year."

The FA has debts reported to be £109m and has unavoidable commitments such as the Wembley national stadium project.

Addressing the conference, the Chelsea chairman Ken Bates said he was sent hate mail containing razor blades when he introduced the first black player to the club. "When I took over as Chelsea chairman 20 years ago this club had one of the worst reputations for racism in English football. I remember when we picked the first black player, Paul Canoville, in his first match at Crystal Palace he was warming up when he had a banana thrown at him.

"In his first home game I escorted him off the pitch and for my pains got some hate mail, including razor blades sent through the post.

"The National Front used to meet pre-match in the pub across the road and wait for the team-sheet, and if there were black players in the team would stay in the pub drinking all afternoon."

Now, Bates has "enormous pride" in the changes he has helped bring about. "We have black players, but more importantly black, Asian and Chinese season ticket holders," he said. "I am delighted by that as it means they are comfortable here and feel safe and part of the family."