Wayne Rooney revealed a player “cried on his chest” after being racially abused during his time in charge of Major League Soccer club DC United, and has called for greater anti-racism education campaigns.<\/b><\/p>\n
The former England and Manchester United great also wants to see clubs punished more severely for racism from fans.<\/p>\n
Rooney, speaking on his new BBC podcast, discussed what can be done to eradicate racism in the Premier League.<\/p>\n
It comes after Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo<\/a> reported he was racially abused by someone in the crowd during the Cherries’ 4-2 defeat by Liverpool on Friday.<\/p>\n “I had it in DC with one of my players who got racially abused and he was crying on my chest. I was holding him as he was crying on my chest,” he said on the Wayne Rooney Show.<\/a><\/p>\n “I don’t think people realise – they say it as a throwaway line that they think has no meaning behind it, but it hurts people. For people to see that and understand, there has to be more done to stop it.”<\/p>\n Friday’s Premier League opener at Anfield was temporarily halted in the 29th minute after Semenyo reported the abuse to the referee.<\/p>\n A 47-year-old man from Liverpool, who was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offence, has been banned from every football stadium in the UK<\/a> and conditionally bailed.<\/p>\n Rooney added that anti-discrimination education for all ages is essential but also wants to see stronger sanctions for clubs.<\/p>\n “There needs to be a strong campaign for society – for children, parents and grandparents – to be educated,” Rooney added.<\/p>\n “You have to hit the clubs because that’s the only way it will stop. If there is ignorance, the fans will still do it. <\/p>\n “You have to hit the clubs by taking off points or hit them in the pocket and take money away from them. Otherwise, it will keep on going. <\/p>\n “Hopefully the right people sit down with the right organisations to try and get something serious in place.”<\/p>\n The Football Association (FA), according to rule E20.1, has the power to impose financial penalties or a stadium closure (whether partial or full) on clubs deemed to have not acted upon reports of racist abuse.<\/p>\n