Fury as football pundit Gordon Strachan compares potential abuse of Adam Johnson to racism

Former footballer, manager and current pundit Gordon Strachan is being criticised after he compared the potential abuse that convicted paedophile Adam Johnson would receive, if he returned to professional football, to racism.

The Scotsman, who played for the likes of Manchester United and Leeds during his career, made the comments when appearing on the Sky Sports show The Debate.

Host, Geoff Shreeves, asked Strachan whether he believed it was possible for Johnson, who has just been released from prison after serving three years for engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old, to ever return to the sport?

In response to the question, Strachan decided to bring up the continued debate about racism in football and if Johnson should be treated the same way as a player who has received racial abuse.

Here's the thing, we're talking vile abuse and things like that.

Let's say he goes out onto the pitch and people start calling him names, are going to do the same as with the racist situation?

Is it alright to call him names now after doing his three years? Are we going to allow that to happen?

Strachan's comment comes amid another turbulent week in football's ongoing struggle to deal with racism and the abuse that black players continue to face from fans when on the pitch.

Earlier this week, Juventus youngster Moise Kean was racially abused by Cagliari fans in Italy, which lead to a series of ill-judged comments from his team-mates and manager.

Elsewhere, Tottenham and England star Danny Rose admitted that he cannot wait to retire from the game, following abuse that he received while playing for England in Montenegro on Monday.

Strachan's comments have been met with widespread criticism and ridicule, with many people lost for words at the ignorance of the comment.

The 62-year-old later added that he would sign Johnson for a club he was managing if the playing was willing to show "remorse".

I would if he's shown genuine remorse. Then I'd say, 'Right, let's get on with it.'

I would because I go back to what I believe in, that everybody deserves a second chance - and he's done his bit.

People will think he's done his three years but this is for life. People will say 'that's that guy'.

HT Joe

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