BBC to present program "Is Football Racist?"

[Zeppo]

Following a season in which football has been rocked by allegations of racism, former Premier league defender Clarke Carlisle explores how far his profession has really progressed since the dark days of banana throwing on the terraces in this documentary.

Nicknamed 'Britain's brainiest footballer', Clarke has played at all levels from the Premiership to the fourth division, and as the chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association he feels he has a good grasp of the issues confronting football today.

Setting out with the belief that racism has been largely eradicated from the game and that the frenzy surrounding the recent allegations shows the issue is being taken seriously by the authorities, Clarke begins to face a stark realisation on a journey which sees the issue of racism in football come very close to home.

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[Zeppo]

Is Football Racist? My Dad's story

It's not an exaggeration! Here I am, 32 years of age, I've been a professional footballer for half of my life yet I've never talked to my Dad about his days within the game.

The truth is I'm kind of glad that I hadn't.

My dad left school with the dream of being a footballer but only managed to play at semi-professional level at his peak, despite his widely acknowledged ability.

It was his experiences as a black player in the Preston and District leagues that alarmed me.

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