Wednesday 22 November 2017 07:50, UK
Stoke defender Bruno Martins Indi has given his support to the Show Racism the Red Card campaign after admitting he has suffered abuse during his time in England.
Martins Indi met with schoolchildren from Belgrave St Bartholomew's Academy at the bet365 Stadium on Tuesday to discuss his own experiences of racism and ways to tackle the issue.
The 25-year-old Netherlands international claims he has suffered abuse since arriving in England in 2016 and believes more needs to be done to eradicate the problem.
"It is very important for me because I have had some bad situations with racism in the past and it is good for children to know what it means and help them not make mistakes in the future," said the Dutchman.
"I had that word - the N-word - people have shouted that at me and made the noise of a monkey, those kind of things.
"The only thing that you can do about that is get together with positive people and talk to those who have influence, to do something against that."
Martins Indi has struggled to secure a regular first-team place with the Potters this season under Mark Hughes but the versatile defender believes it is only a matter of time before he is given his chance.
"There are no excuses," said Martins Indi. "He is just choosing for his team. I was injured and afterwards when I came back, I was injured again another time.
"It is a little unlucky for me but it is his team and he can decide who he is going to pick. I know that my chance will come."
Stoke twice surrendered the lead to draw 2-2 with Brighton on Monday night and Martins Indi has urged his team-mates to be more ruthless when they face Crystal Palace on Saturday.
"Last night we needed two points more," said the defender. "We need those points. If you go to Brighton, with all respect to Brighton, we need to have that winning mentality more to get three points - even away from home."
