Jeremy Corbyn branded ‘sanctimonious hypocrite’ for calling for racism clampdown in football as Labour is probed for antisemitism
JEREMY Corbyn has been branded a “sanctimonious hypocrite” for calling for a racism clampdown in football – while Labour is probed for antisemitism.
The Labour boss has been blasted after calling out UEFA following the vile abuse of England players in Bulgaria last night.
OWN GOAL
Mr Corbyn tweeted that the European football body “needs to do far more to tackle this kind of abuse”.
But ex-Labour MP Ian Austin was enraged by Mr Corbyn and accused him of allowing the Labour Party to be “poisoned by racism”.
Labour is currently being investigated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission over the party’s handling of anti-Jewish behaviour in its members.
Mr Austin tweeted: “The racist abuse our players were subjected to is disgusting and must be dealt with.
Someone who has seen the Labour Party poisoned by racism under his “leadership” is in no place to say this.
Ian Austin
“But someone who has seen the Labour Party poisoned by racism under his “leadership” is in no place to say this.
“Sort your own house out first, you sanctimonious hypocrite.”
Mr Corbyn’s leadership has been dogged by an ongoing row over anti-Semitism among activists and officials.
ANTI-SEMITISM SCANDAL
It culminated in Scotland Yard launching a criminal investigation into alleged hate crimes – and seven MPs quitting in protest at the failure to tackle the problem.
Earlier this year a report claimed the scandal led to a record number of hate incidents in the first half of the year.
Reports included racist graffiti left at the home of Holocaust survivors, “Gas the Jews” written on a footbridge in Liverpool and 85 violent assaults.
FOOTBALL RACE SHAME
Mr Austin’s comments last night come after England stars Raheem Sterling and Tyrone Mings were subjected to sickening racist chants in Sofia last night.
Monkey noises and Nazi salutes were made by those in sections of the home support – forcing the referee to stop the match twice – during England’s 6-0 win over Hungary.
The Football Association released a statement after the game asking for Uefa to investigate.
The vile racism we saw and heard last night has no place in football or anywhere else.
Boris Johnson
It read: “This is unacceptable at any level of the game and our immediate focus is supporting the players and staff involved.
“We will be asking Uefa to investigate as a matter of urgency.”
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Boris Johnson praised the England players for how they dealt with the abuse and called on UEFA to act.
He tweeted: “The vile racism we saw and heard last night has no place in football or anywhere else.
“Fully support Gareth Southgate & the team for rising above it. Need to see strong swift action from UEFA.”
The Labour party has been approached for cement.
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