Les Ferdinand, John Barnes and John Fashanur kick off debate on racism

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Tickets are available by calling 020 8753 4040

Ex-QPR and England striker Les Ferdinand will join a team of football legends, including John Barnes and John Fashanu, to kick off a debate on racism in football at Hammersmith town hall on Thursday 27 October.

Sir Les, who has recently called for stronger measures to eradicate racism in football, will be joined by other football greats Clive Wilson and Mark Walters as well as managers and politicians.

Ferdinand, 39, said, "The issue of racism is very important and needs to be constantly addressed. I think the FA has taken great strides to eradicate it from the Premiership as there are lots of CCTV cameras and so it's a little easier to deal with the problem at that level. It's when you go down the leagues it's more difficult to control because the smaller clubs haven't got as much money."

Admission to the BBC Radio London Black History Month debate on 'How racism has reduced in football over the last 30 years' is completely free.

Leader of the council, Cllr Stephen Burke, said, "We have a football pedigree second to none in Hammersmith & Fulham as we are the only borough in Europe with three football clubs. We love football and hate racism and by hosting this event and actively taking part we are reinforcing the message that racists have no part to play in this borough or indeed this country."

Free tickets are available by calling 020 8753 4040. Tickets for this one off event are limited and demand is expected to be high, so please call early to avoid disappointment.

Cllr Burke continues, "The achievements of legendary black players like Sir Les Ferdinand need to be promoted and celebrated as if we fail to pay tribute to the influential role that black people have played in shaping the borough's history we are forgetting a very important part of what makes us all what we are today."

The event is run in conjunction with the Voice Newspaper group and BBC Radio London and is just one of more 50 Black History Month Events in Hammersmith & Fulham this month.

 

October 16, 2005