Racial Abuse of Sunderland Striker Darren Bent's Mum Is Tip of the Iceberg

Owen Watson — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:16:49 -0500

Darren Bent’s escapades on Twitter have drawn interest from the media in recent times. The English striker was back in the papers for his online comments following Sunderland’s defeat at Wigan Athletic.

The ex-Tottenham forward alleged that his mother Shirley had been the victim of racial abuse by one of his team’s own supporters:

“So we get beat by wigan and to make matters worse my mum gets racially abused by a SUNDERLAND fan. I wont stand for that.”

Neither have the Greater Manchester Police force. Their Northumbrian counterparts arrested a 26-year-old man in Chester-le-Street yesterday evening in connection with the incident. The man has been bailed on suspicion of racially aggravated harassment until Jan. 12.

It is understood that officials at Sunderland Football Club helped trace the culprit, though just how big a role they played is unclear, as the incident is alleged to have taken place in a Manchester pub just before the game.

That the police moved swiftly in this instance should be commended, but I wonder just how quickly and seriously the police would have taken this case had the victim not been the mother of a Premier League footballer who revealed the incident in such a public forum.

Racism still simmers at the furrows of our society, as a Panorama documentary revealed earlier this year.

Growing up in Sunderland, I’ve heard vile racial slurs spewed at footballers from the stands of the Stadium of Light and sat back disgusted as stewards took absolutely no action. Some of my closest friends have told me stories of how they were spat at walking to school and had dog dirt thrown at them in the street.

My mother talks of head teachers showing indifference towards incidences of racial discrimination.

These memories had faded with time, but their embers are being rekindled as the sparks of this scandal fly.

Admittedly, I have no idea about the details in this particular incident. Have the police acted because the allegations are particularly shocking, or because they are more high profile? I have my suspicions.

It seems like people want to give racism red cards and 'kick it out' of football, yet are willing to accept it in other walks of life.

My mind fills with echoes of Kanye West: “Racism’s still alive, they just be concealing it.”

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Chelsea's 3-0 Victory Over Arsenal Doesn't Prove Anything

Owen Watson — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:16:54 -0500

Chelsea extended their lead over Manchester United at the summit of the Premier League with a 3-0 win against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.

Glancing at the scoreline and you might think the Blues dominated the game. I’m sure there will be many that will criticise Arsenal’s lack of height in midfield and say Chelsea won the physical battle.

That’s not the case.

In reality, Chelsea were fortunate to go in at half-time two goals to the good. They took the lead by virtue of a hopeful cross into the box by Ashley Cole, this was met in the box by Didier Drogba who seemed to mishit his shot. His attempt looped up off the crossbar and bounced off the post before spinning into the back of the net.

The Ivory Coast international even admitted his stroke of good fortune after the game, telling Chelsea's official website: "I was a bit lucky to score the first goal."

Three minutes later and Thomas Vermaelen conceded an own goal in a similar fashion, with ex-Gunner Cole providing a cross that span off the Belgian’s foot and into his own top corner.

The game was effectively over at this point. Chelsea have only conceded eight goals this season, so for Arsenal to score three in 45 minutes of football would have required a huge upset.

Lady luck failed to shine on Arsenal for a third time just after half-time, as they had a goal chalked off for a dubious foul against Petr Cech by Eduardo. Referee Andre Marriner decided Eduardo had kicked the ball out of the ‘keepers hands to set-up Andrey Arshavin.

It looked as though this was the wrong decision, as Cech didn’t have control of the ball when Eduardo made contact.

Arsenal looked to lose heart after this moment. Wenger, to his credit, tried to seize back the momentum by making three quick-fire substitutions. Unfortunately for the Frenchman, these didn’t work and Chelsea killed the game with a third goal in the final stages.

It was an excellent goal by Drogba, a wonderful free-kick by the Ivorian that left Manuel Almunia stranded.

Of course Chelsea’s excellent defence must be acknowledged, whenever Arsenal engineered even the slightest opening there was always a blue shirt there to snuff out any danger. Chelsea were magnificent in blocking and stifling the Gunner’s attacking play.

This task was made easier by a two-goal advantage, which allowed Chelsea’s midfield to drop deep and neutralise Arsenal’s advances.

Chelsea deserve the plaudits for seeing out the game, they are an effective team that are world class at defending a lead, but to suggest that this game demonstrates Chelsea are a cut above Arsenal would be a mistake.

Fortune was ultimately the deciding factor.

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Racial Abuse of Sunderland Striker Darren Bent's Mum Is Tip of the Iceberg

Chelsea's 3-0 Victory Over Arsenal Doesn't Prove Anything