Sol Campbell

[Papas1982]

Lots of highly sceptical and dismissive comments here. To be honest, I don't really know or remember enough about what was happening in the England team when Sol was playing at that level. However, football undoubtedly has a racist element. Things are improving but, it follows logically that they were worse when Sol was playing than now. If such a prominent black player feels he was the victim of racial discrimination I'd hope his views were taken seriously and the source of a bit of soul-searching in certain circles.

But does he feel that was the case? Or does he feel that this idea will sell more books. To dismiss racism was rife in football would be foolish. But he played for England whilst 'a foreigner' picked the team so I would suggest. Don't pick him as he's black is a far fetched idea when it came to picking captain.

 

[FairwayDodger]

But does he feel that was the case? Or does he feel that this idea will sell more books. To dismiss racism was rife in football would be foolish. But he played for England whilst 'a foreigner' picked the team so I would suggest. Don't pick him as he's black is a far fetched idea when it came to picking captain.

I'm sure that Sol has experienced racial prejudice and discrimination at various times in his life. I doubt that someone like that would invent a discrimination claim just to "sell a few books". I know very little about him but, I mean, does he even really need the money?

 

[Papas1982]

I'm sure that Sol has experienced racial prejudice and discrimination at various times in his life. I doubt that someone like that would invent a discrimination claim just to "sell a few books". I know very little about him but, I mean, does he even really need the money?

Im sure he did face it during his life time. But I doubt very much that he wasn't made captain because he was black. Many good players don't captain their country or even play for them. Race has no bearing on that. He may no need the money, but then Rooney doesn't need 300k a week, but still he gets it. I would suggest its more about his ego.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Im sure he did face it during his life time. But I doubt very much that he wasn't made captain because he was black. Many good players don't captain their country or even play for them. Race has no bearing on that. He may no need the money, but then Rooney doesn't need 300k a week, but still he gets it. I would suggest its more about his ego.

As I said, I don't have an opinion on whether he is right or not; just that the accusation should be taken seriously. You say "Race has no bearing on that" and you might be correct but Sol Campbell knows a damn sight more about it than you or anyone here who has chosen to deride him for coming out and saying it.

 

[Papas1982]

As I said, I don't have an opinion on whether he is right or not; just that the accusation should be taken seriously. You say "Race has no bearing on that" and you might be correct but Sol Campbell knows a damn sight more about it than you or anyone here who has chosen to deride him for coming out and saying it.

Why should it be taken seriously? He played in an era that had already hd nice as captain, so we had already selected a black captain. His career was when Adams was captain, then shearer and then beckham. I don't know many that would argue that these three men lead their country well. Sol wasn't picked as captain as there were better choices. Is there racism In the world. Yes. But does every decision that goes against someone of a different race arise because of racism? No.


I think it's a dangerous precedent to give credit to ever claim of racism in fear of being racist if you dismiss it. Hence my opinion that Sol Campbell is clearly bitter. But has no basis for it. Unless he thinks he was better that the aforementioned players (and that just suggest. What I said, that his ego needed a massage).

 

[Foxholer]

I'm sure that Sol has experienced racial prejudice and discrimination at various times in his life. I doubt that someone like that would invent a discrimination claim just to "sell a few books". I know very little about him but, I mean, does he even really need the money?

Here's something of a rebuttal of his claims - which, from my memory of the team had more obvious Captains than Sol. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26414575 He seems to be a bit ott with the Black/White claims too. And that bizarre walkout at half-time!

Here's a pretty sympathetic article on him from some time ago - when $5M/year was an obscene amount of money!

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...e/inside-the-mind-of-sol-campbell-411153.html

Going by the personality portrayed by the article, I don't believe he was ever real Captain material!

 

[Pin-seeker]

As I said, I don't have an opinion on whether he is right or not; just that the accusation should be taken seriously. You say "Race has no bearing on that" and you might be correct but Sol Campbell knows a damn sight more about it than you or anyone here who has chosen to deride him for coming out and saying it.

It's accusations like this that could make genuine cases not be taken seriously. Very arrogant of him to think that the only reason he wasn't a regular England captain was because of the colour of his skin.
Sorry but he's played the race card to sell his book & he's made himself look a pillock.

 

[FairwayDodger]

It's accusations like this that could make genuine cases not be taken seriously. Very arrogant of him to think that the only reason he wasn't a regular England captain was because of the colour of his skin.
Sorry but he's played the race card to sell his book & he's made himself look a pillock.

Assuming these claims are false, you'd be correct. I just see a lot if people dismissing them out of hand and insulting the man. It takes a lot it guts to put your head up and claim discrimination knowing the inevitable abuse that will follow.

Maybe, just maybe, his allegations should be considered before we start calling him a "tit" etc.....?

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Assuming these claims are false, you'd be correct. I just see a lot if people dismissing them out of hand and insulting the man. It takes a lot it guts to put your head up and claim discrimination knowing the inevitable abuse that will follow.

Maybe, just maybe, his allegations should be considered before we start calling him a "tit" etc.....?

But how do you propose his allegations are investigated. Already two of the England managers for whom he played have dismissed his claims and insisted that there was no pressure upon them from within the FA over their choice of captain.

Obviously I don't know Sol Campbell but from the stands he never struck me as much of a leader although a decent player.

Interestingly Ian Wright, on Radio 5, stated that, in his view, it was not skin colour that was the issue but rather that there were better candidates for the role.

 

[FairwayDodger]

But how do you propose his allegations are investigated. Already two of the England managers for whom he played have dismissed his claims and insisted that there was no pressure upon them from within the FA over their choice of captain.

Obviously I don't know Sol Campbell but from the stands he never struck me as much of a leader although a decent player.

Interestingly Ian Wright, on Radio 5, stated that, in his view, it was not skin colour that was the issue but rather that there were better candidates for the role.

No idea how to investigate but the fa could invite him in to discuss it. It's a hard one, I understand the comments of others saying there were better candidates etc. My only point is I don't accept he would make such an allegation unless, rightly or wrongly, he sincerely believed it. It'd sit easier with me if they tried to get to the root of why he feels that rather than dismiss it out of hand.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

No idea how to investigate but the fa could invite him in to discuss it. It's a hard one, I understand the comments of others saying there were better candidates etc. My only point is I don't accept he would make such an allegation unless, rightly or wrongly, he sincerely believed it. It'd sit easier with me if they tried to get to the root of why he feels that rather than dismiss it out of hand.

I am afraid I am rather more cynical. It is generally accepted that if a biography is to be successfully serialised it requires a few "headlines" such as this accusation.

I agree that he is unlikely to need the money but then why did he choose to have the book trailed and extracts floated in the Sunday Times if he is not bothered by sales.

 

[FairwayDodger]

I am afraid I am rather more cynical. It is generally accepted that if a biography is to be successfully serialised it requires a few "headlines" such as this accusation.

I agree that he is unlikely to need the money but then why did he choose to have the book trailed and extracts floated in the Sunday Times if he is not bothered by sales.

As are the majority of posters it would seem. I am merely raising an alternative perspective.

 

[Andy808]

He is a tit.

Blue, Great or Coal?

 

[Pin-seeker]

Assuming these claims are false, you'd be correct. I just see a lot if people dismissing them out of hand and insulting the man. It takes a lot it guts to put your head up and claim discrimination knowing the inevitable abuse that will follow.

Maybe, just maybe, his allegations should be considered before we start calling him a "tit" etc.....?

Surely every black player could make these claims. It's not brave when it's used to sell a book & make money. Why didn't he Voice his concerns at the time?
England managers pick their captains,so he's basically accusing them of been racist. Don't think I'd be too happy been accused of this just because some ones got the hump that he wasn't the right man for the job.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Surely every black player could make these claims. It's not brave when it's used to sell a book & make money. Why didn't he Voice his concerns at the time?
England managers pick their captains,so he's basically accusing them of been racist. Don't think I'd be too happy been accused of this just because some ones got the hump that he wasn't the right man for the job.

I can only speculate but it is very hard to raise such concerns, even with cast iron proof, which he clearly did not have. Do you think he'd still make the squads if he claimed the manager was racially discriminating against him? How do you think that backlash would have compared against what he's getting now?

We simply don't know. Everyone else seems quick to dismiss what he's saying, I just think maybe it'd be worth trying to find out the truth.

 

[Pin-seeker]

I can only speculate but it is very hard to raise such concerns, even with cast iron proof, which he clearly did not have. Do you think he'd still make the squads if he claimed the manager was racially discriminating against him? How do you think that backlash would have compared against what he's getting now?

We simply don't know. Everyone else seems quick to dismiss what he's saying, I just think maybe it'd be worth trying to find out the truth.

If he had proof that the manager was racially discriminating against him then the manager would have been out of a job. Campbell must have a really high opinion of himself if he thinks that he deserved to be captain so much more than any of his team mates.
Personally I don't think he was an obvious choice for Captain,& my opinion has nothing to do with skin colour. You can't go round accusing people of been racist with out evidence.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

It's accusations like this that could make genuine cases not be taken seriously. Very arrogant of him to think that the only reason he wasn't a regular England captain was because of the colour of his skin.
Sorry but he's played the race card to sell his book & he's made himself look a pillock.

That just about sums it up.
Saw him being interviewed this morning, seems to have a very large ego, which is never a good starting point for a team captain.

 

[FairwayDodger]

You can't go round accusing people of been racist with out evidence.

Ok, devil's advocate for a moment, why not?

 

[Foxholer]

If he had proof that the manager was racially discriminating against him then the manager would have been out of a job.

Unfortunately, probably not true - at least back then!

I expect Ron Atkinson would probably have had a significantly shorter career in Management!

You can't go round accusing people of been racist with out evidence.

Alas, also probably not true - then or now!

 

[Papas1982]

Ok, devil's advocate for a moment, why not?

Because the person accussed, if innocent will be tarnished. Same as I think anybody found guilty in accusing someone of rape should be named. I'm not talking cases with lake of evidence. Genuine false cases where it's clearly proven the accusations were false. Innocent til proven guilty it was always said, yet once you're accused of something your life is affected forgever!