Gordon Taylor has warned players might be deterred from reporting racism after Patrice Evra's treatment by Liverpool fans.
PFA's Gordon Taylor warns Evra treatment could have serious impact
PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor has warned players might be deterred from reporting racism in the wake of Patrice Evra's treatment by Liverpool fans on Saturday.
Evra was booed and jeered by the Anfield crowd during the FA Cup tie - apparently in response to the Frenchman making a complaint he was racially abused by Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.
The Uruguayan was subsequently found guilty of charges and handed an eight-match ban.
Liverpool manager said there was nothing wrong with the booing, but Taylor is concerned it may have serious repercussions.
He said: ""The booing of Evra was unwelcome. For someone to be booed for reporting racist comments is not something we want to see happening.
Worried
"Black players may be worried about reporting such things, if there is going to be a backlash like this."
Taylor says the Suarez incident has highlighted that racism is still a problem in the game and that more needs to be done to address it.
He added: "The game must do all it can to eradicate it."
FIFA member Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein has also passed comment on the issue stating that the current racism cases have done "a lot of damage" to English football.
He told
Inside World Football: "Obviously it's a huge concern for everyone across the world.
Damage
"England has a great track record in terms of fair play and a lot of damage has been done.
"The Premier League is seen all over the world and whatever happens there is picked up everywhere else.
Because of the stature of the Premier League, when people see how things like this are tackled, they reflect on themselves.
"What's important is the solution, not simply focussing on the problem.
"It's a big responsibility. Everyone was watching to see how things would be handled."
