Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster won the U17 World Cup this summer.
Still aged just 17, he has given an open and brave interview to The Guardian about the racist abuse he was suffered, or seen others suffer.
Brewster says that he can recall seven instances where he or a teammate has racially abuse. Five of them are in the last year, and two were at the U17 World Cup. He says he remembers a fellow player being called a “monkey” by a member of the opposition in the tournament final.
In the interview, he vividly describes being called a racial slur in a Uefa Youth League against Spartak Moscow this month, and an European Under-17 Championship against Ukraine in May. And he says not enough is being done: “I don’t think Uefa take this thing seriously. They don’t really care. That is how it feels anyway, like it has been brushed under the carpet.”
The interview has been widely praised both in the football world and further afield. And in particular, Stormzy has spoken out in support of Brewster.
Wow this is a painful read, big up yourself my brother @RhianBrewster9 and good on you for speaking out. More needs to be done by @uefa tbh not just some rubbish Lil anti-racism posters. Everyone should read this 👇🏿 https://t.co/aXceDISWBI
— Stormzy (@stormzy) December 29, 2017
And just to add, @RhianBrewster9 you’ve shown INCREDIBLE restraint and maturity that I personally and a lot of others might not of been able to show so big up yourself twice 🙏🏿❤️
— Stormzy (@stormzy) December 29, 2017
And you lot @UEFAcom @UEFA should be flipping embarrassed, you’re meant to be a respected body stop being complicit 🤢 Do more and do better, coz it’s fucking embarrassing.
— Stormzy (@stormzy) December 29, 2017
