No Room For Racism

James: Standing up to discrimination is so important

22 Oct 2021

Leeds winger on the impact that challenging discriminatory behaviour can have in deterring others

A key part of the Premier League's No Room For Racism message is that all of us have a part to play in challenging discrimination.

And Leeds United winger Daniel James believes by reporting discriminatory behaviour wherever they see it, fans will act as a deterrent and make people think twice about their actions.

"It's so important to take action," he says. "I know players have come together and walked off the pitch before and there are protocols in place for things like that to happen when it does get really bad.

"You can report it to the referee and it makes the player know... that it's not right. If it's not reported, it gives them the chance to do it again."

Tackling abuse

The Premier League has dedicated this weekend to the ongoing No Room For Racism initiative, highlighting that there is no place for racist abuse.

At the start of 2021/22, the League announced enhanced anti-discrimination measures which mean that anybody found guilty of racist abuse, whether within stadiums or online, will be permanently banned from all Premier League grounds.

The League also continues to work alongside other authorities and organisations within the game to tackle online hate, lobbying Government and challenging social media companies to eliminate abuse on their platforms.

"There's absolutely no excuse for racism or any kind of discrimination - on the pitch, off the pitch," James says.

"It's people of all ages growing up thinking it's acceptable and it's completely not. These actions that have been introduced... will come into play but a lot more needs to be done, not just in football but in everyday life, to get rid of it once and for all."