Wayne Rooney has argued that only stricter punishments, such as deducting league points, will be effective in curbing racist abuse in football.
The Manchester United and England legend also shared a personal story, recalling how one of his players broke down in tears after being racially abused.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney reflected on the need for stronger action within the game.
His comments followed two high-profile cases last week: Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo was allegedly racially abused by a fan during his side’s 4–2 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, while Tottenham’s Mathys Tel was targeted online after missing a penalty in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain.
Rooney said: “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.
“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.”
The former DC United manager stressed that both education and harsher sanctions are necessary to drive change.
“There needs to be a strong campaign for society – for children, parents and grandparents – to be educated,” he said.
“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.
“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.
“Hopefully the right people sit down with the right organisations to try and get something serious in place.”
Meanwhile, world football’s governing body also addressed recent incidents. FIFA President Gianni Infantino labelled alleged racist abuse during two German Cup fixtures as “unacceptable” while investigations continue.
Schalke’s Christopher Antwi-Adjei revealed he was racially abused during a cup match against Lokomotive Leipzig, where fans repeatedly whistled him after he reported the incident.
In a separate game, Kaiserslautern’s coach said one of his substitutes was also subjected to racist abuse while warming up against RSV Eintracht, though the player was not named.
