British PM Cameron vows to remove racism from football

London - British Prime Minister David Cameron has vowed to kick out racism from the English football, as he hosts a meeting with top soccer officials on tackling racist abuse at Downing Street on Wednesday.

Cameron said the government wont let efforts taken by everyone to eradicate racism from English football over the years go in vain.

"There was a time when football in our country was badly infected with racism. It took great effort from everyone involved in the game to kick it out. It's an achievement not every country has managed to make. And I'm proud that Britain did it," The Sun quoted Cameron, as saying.

"But recently racism has come back into the spotlight with cases involving some of the most famous players in football, one of which has led to the resignation of the England manager. We simply cannot brush this under the carpet. I've no doubt that football will crack this problem and the Government stands ready to do anything it can to help," he said.

"That's why today in Downing Street I'm bringing together leading figures from right across the game to reaffirm our vigilance against racism - and all forms of discrimination," he added.
 
Cameron said his government is will not tolerate any kind of racist behaviour in English football and will crack down hard on any one who indulges in such acts.

"I am absolutely clear: we will not let recent events drag us back to the bad old days of the past. One important part of winning the battle against discrimination is to get more black and minority ethnic," Cameron said.
 
Recent racist incidents in England football saw Chelsea's John Terry stripped of the England captaincy for alleged racial abuse of QPR's Anton Ferdinand and Liverpool's Luis Suarez was banned for eight games after racially abusing Patrice Evra of Manchester United.