Nakamba Suffers Racist Abuse During Premier League Fixture

Aston Villa released a statement earlier this week saying they were “disgusted and appalled” by footage on social media showing a section of their fans directing racist chants towards one of their own players, Zimbabwe’s Marvelous Makamba.

The incident occurred during Villa’s 5-1 victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road.

The statement read: “Aston Villa is disgusted and appalled by footage circulating on social media of supporters chanting a racist song which makes reference to two of our first-team players.

“The club wholly condemns the chant and urges other supporters to help us identify those responsible.  Chants of this nature besmirch the good name of Aston Villa Football Club and our fans.  If the perpetrators are identified they will be dealt with in the strongest manner by the club and to be reported to the police immediately”.

European football has been troubled by a recent spate of racist chants.  Earlier in the season former Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku was subjected to monkey chants during Inter Milan’s 2-1 victory over Italian side Cagliari in Serie A.

Furthermore, England manager Gareth Southgate told BBC Sport that he would support his players in whatever action they deemed appropriate, including walking off the pitch, if any of them were racially abused in their upcoming Euro 2020 qualifier in Bulgaria.

FIFA, world football’s governing body, is coming under increasing pressure to take a firmer stance against racism, with many believing the sanctions it administers are too soft.