Former Wolves youngster Andre Gray pushes for change
Wolverhampton-born Premier League star Andre Gray says footballers must unite in the fight against racism as he feels ‘half the country does not like’ England’s black players.
The 28-year-old Watford striker is keen to make a change after the death of African American George Floyd while in police custody, which has sparked protests across the world.
“Us as black players, we make a lot up of the football world,” Gray, who was at Wolves as a youngster and also had spells with Shrewsbury and Telford before rising to the Premier League, told Talksport.
“We’ve got some of the best players that are playing for England.
“So, we’ve got a platform to do it. Again, things have to change because, especially the boys that are playing for England, for me they get discriminated a lot.
“I feel like half the country does not even like them because of the colour of their skin.
“It’s that same thing, people will resort back to racism when things are not going well when someone misses a chance or whatever.
“When it’s going well, you’ll be the hero.
“That’s what needs to change. We need to keep our foot on the gas and keep pushing it.
“If it means not playing, then so be it because at the end of the day, I don’t think England would be the team it is now without black footballers. So, we’ve got the power now and we need to push it.”
Gray wants to spread the anti-racism message via social media and when he gets back playing with the Hornets soon.
England star Jadon Sancho recently revealed a ‘justice for George Floyd’ shirt after scoring a goal for German club Borussia Dortmund, and Gray is looking to do something similar.
He says it is key that the issue is not brushed under the carpet as it has been in the past.
“Look, we can’t take our foot off the gas, we need to keep speaking up about it, keep exposing it,” added Gray.
“When things are not right, they need to be said, they need to be put out there otherwise it’ll get brushed under the carpet.
“The way it is now, we’re going to have to keep protesting and protesting and protesting until something changes.
“I think us as footballers, we can keep pushing that, as well, and keep making people aware of it and that we’re not going away.”
