Ryan Atkin: Gay referee says football has to 'drive out hate'
"Football must take positive steps and it must take it now to drive the hate out", he said."So many football clubs have top of the range security so people shouldn't be able to hide anymore."Just because you're a paying member of public attending a football game, it doesn't give you the right to abuse other people."
'Football must do more'
Mr Atkin said: "Is homophobia or racism taken seriously? It says it is but actually, what are the consequences? "Football must do more, it has to take a hard line to it."Why do people think it's acceptable to come to a sporting event and use racist or homophobic chants?"Protect your club, protect your players, protect your image - that for me is really key."He added: "You want to be judged on your profession or your sport, not your sexuality."I'm a referee who happens to be gay."
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Metro
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23 minutes ago
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