Southend United stewards and officials are to be briefed on handling racist incidents at matches in the ongoing effort to rid football of racism.
Initiatives to stamp out racism have received growing support after taunts aimed at England players Emile Heskey and Ashley Cole during last Saturday's Euro 2004 qualifier in Slovakia sent shockwaves through the sport.
Now stewards and officials at Roots Hall will receive advice from police, who have already been working closely with Colchester United, which has vowed to serve lifelong bans on anyone found being racist at its games.
Police football liaison officer Insp Alan King said: "Racism is a real problem within professional football at the moment, especially in Europe. A lot of black players have actually received racist abuse, but UEFA do not seem to be taking a strong enough stance on it.
"We intend to tackle the problem head on."
Next Friday, October 25, Southend United will take on Hartlepool at Roots Hall and leaflets and badges provided by the non-profit organisation Kick It Out will be handed out.
Published Friday October 18, 2002
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