Wayne Rooney calls for enhanced anti-racism education and tougher sanctions

Wayne Rooney has called for more extensive anti-racism education and stricter club sanctions after a player under his management at DC United was racially abused.

Rooney, speaking on his new INLIBER podcast, recounted how an unnamed player "cried on his chest" following racist insults in Major League Soccer. He stressed that casual racist remarks, often dismissed as harmless, inflict real harm on individuals.

The issue resurfaced in the Premier League opener when Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported racial abuse during Liverpool’s 4-2 victory. The match was paused in the 29th minute while officials investigated the incident.

A 47-year-old Liverpool man has since been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence, banned from UK stadiums and released on conditional bail.

Rooney argued that educating all age groups—children to grandparents—is vital. He also proposed imposing point deductions or financial penalties on clubs whose fans engage in racist behaviour.

"Clubs must face real consequences, whether in lost points or fines," he said. "Only then will fans think twice before resorting to ignorance."

The Football Association’s rule E20.1 allows fines or stadium closures for clubs that fail to act on racist incidents. Last year, League Two side Gillingham were fined £12,500 for racist and sexist abuse by supporters.

Rooney believes that combining education across society with strict club penalties is the only way to root out racism in football.

This topic was reported by BBC Sport.

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