England’s Under-17 World Cup winning striker Rhian Brewster has revealed the multiple incidents of horrific racist abuse he has already suffered in his career – and he feels UEFA do not care enough about the issue.
Liverpool launched an official complaint earlier this month after youngster Brewster said he was abused by Spartak Moscow player Leonid Mironov during a UEFA Youth League game.
Brewster has given his side of the story in vivid detail, on an incident which left his visibly angry and distressed on the pitch at Prenton Park in the 2-0 victory.
Rhian Brewster has revealed the multiple incidents of racist abuse he has suffered in his career
Earlier this month, Liverpool striker Brewster was abused in a UEFA Youth League game
Brewster, 17, described the incident in vivid detail – and multiple others he has endured
In an interview with the Guardian, Brewster said: ‘I got fouled, I was on the floor and I had the ball in my hands. One of their players started saying stuff in Russian to the ref. I said: ‘It’s a foul, man, what you playing at?’ I was still sitting down at this stage.
Then their player leaned over me, right down to my face and said: “Suck my d***, you n*****, you n****.” I jumped to my feet and the ref came running over because obviously he realised something had been said.
‘He said to me he couldn’t do anything because he hadn’t heard it and “the only thing I can do is report it”. I said: “Come on, then – let’s go and report it.” He started doing something else and I said: “No, now.” We went over to the fourth official and told him. I told Steven Gerrard what had happened and we made a complaint there.’
The Spartak abuse was only one of several incidents Brewster said he has suffered so far, despite being yet to make a senior professional appearance. Mironov denies the charge.
Brewster was a star of the England under-17 side who triumphed at the World Cup in India
Several of the attacks have taken place during UEFA competition, however few have led to charges for the culprits due to a ‘lack of evidence’ – something Brewster says has convinced him the governing body do not take racism seriously.
The striker, very highly rated by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, says he will not be put off from his love of football, but that the doubts caused by the abuse will always remain in the back of his mind.
He said: ‘I didn’t even want to put in a complaint. “Nothing’s going to happen,” that was my attitude. I was walking down the tunnel after the match and I was just swearing – “F*** the system, it’s not going to do anything”, stuff like that. Obviously you have to do it, but if something is ever done about it, that’s another story.’
‘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.
‘I love the game. I’m never going to stop loving it. It’s just disappointing to know it’s still in the game. If it wasn’t in the game, it would be so much better. You wouldn’t have to worry about playing abroad, worrying about what the fans are going to say, or what another player is going to say. I wouldn’t have to worry that if I score they are going to call me all types of names.’
Brewster says racism will not dampen his love for football – but remains a constant worry