Always strikes me as odd that it is perfectly acceptable to discriminate based on region but not country of birth. I wonder if a Man Utd fan calling Rooney a lazy scouse bastard would suffer a similar fate? Or indeed an Everton fan calling Phil Neville a Manc something-or-other. Every match in the country would be behind closed doors!

Despite the fact that more and more women and children attend matches, my own personal opinion is that a football match is no place for people who are offended by foul and abusive language whatever their gender or age maybe. Personally I would watch my tongue if I was sat next to a small child but, if I took my son or girlfriend to a match, I would be prepared for them to hear some abusive language! In my experience, it has always been part and parcel (and one of the funniest things about) of going to the match!

I remember being sat in the Bullens Rd back in '94 against Oldham when Preki stepped up to take a free kick. Just before he struck the ball, some big, fat skinhead bloke shouted out "If this useless, foreign cunt does a Le Tissier with this, I will buy everyone in the ground a drink!" Two seconds later the ball was in the top corner from 25 yards out. My Dad and I still laugh about it all these years later. No, we never got our drink!!

? Crouch ? is lanky twat ok?
? John Terry ? comments about affairs?
? Carragher's driving?
? What about USA USA USA to Tim Howard? Where do YOU draw the line?
? Thank god you didn't mention David Johnson in the 70s.

I'm getting worried that my shouts against that half-wit Kenwright might get me thrown out but, since I am not renewing after 39 years of season tickets, really I couldn't care less. In fact, if it got me an interview in the papers to explain my comments, and factually state why he mismanaged us over the last decade... pass the loudhailer!

Most of the other home nations use 'English' in a very similar way as a matter of course, and I'm not offended by it in the slightest; it's part of a banterous rivalry that defines in part who we are as the separate nations within the UK. Race and nationality are absolutely not the same thing, especially in modern Europe.

Whoever complained, then whoever backed up the complaint, are not only guilty of ridiculous behaviour in this case, but also of undermining genuine and important efforts to reduce real problems, like racism and sexism, which still exist and need dealing with. Incidents like this mean people will take important incidents less seriously because 'the PC brigade' cock about doing stupid things like this.

It also emboldens the people who do hold racist or sexist views, as normally they keep quiet, but if they sense a strong shift against political correctness (or 'being nice', as it could be known) they may feel more able to spout the shit that PC has done so much to get rid of.

I can happily point out that France has every colour of the rainbow as residents due to it's colonial past but all are French. If the comments had been directed at Saha's colour or religion then, yes, it would be racism, pointing out the obvious and subjective and being labelled racist is utter bollocks.

At Brentford away this season, I got into an argument with a useless excuse for a scrote when J Beckford missed his pen: "You stupid fucking nigger" shouted this arsehole behind me. I told him to shut it, he carried on. I threatened him but made the judgement that he was not worth a night in the cells if we got into a real fight, and that hopefully he would think again next time. Some hope, this young bloke was really thick.

I make the point because, when I have heard Everton racism, of which I am ashamed as our reputation is still there, I will have a go back. So I reckon I can comment.

This wasn't racism. Stupidity yes. See Peter at No 17.

And the reaction may damage attempts to root out real scummy racist shite: see Greg at 18.

Fight racism, educate stupidity.

I darsn't mention any of these words but this Pommy Bastard is glad to say that our race is not included among those racially sensitive groups. It is deemed by that same department that 'Pom' is OK... and 'Pommy bastard' even more OK.

However, to just throw insults seems pathetic and pointless ? much like some of the pitiful attempts made here to excuse such behaviour. It seems that most people here think racism is the same as colour prejudice, judging by some of the comments posted. Judging from this thread, it's not the fault of the poor old offender at all, let's blame those who have taken offence!

Throw a few John Byng types out every now and again, it appears that the Club are doing their job regarding racist or abusive chanting, it also shuts the other people up when they read about what can happen to them.

The fact that this guy was, apparently, just expressing what several thousand match-goers have thought about some Everton players and was not being really racist or abusive, well they see it as a price worth paying.

But then, the French and Roman armies would execute every tenth man in any unit that failed in their duties, innocent or not, to encourage the others.
Makes you wonder how many of the Everton board would be left if the same actions were taken against them? (Just sack, not execute...)

Calling someone from France 'French' is not racist, and shouldn't even be seen as offensive. If he had been called a frog or something similar then offence could be taken.

But if you'd said 'Italian'... or worse... 'Itie'... (How do you spell that?)