‘All Black players should Strike in England over Muntari’s racist attack’- Garth Crooks

 Ex-Tottenham striker Garth Crooks has called on players in the Italian league to strike this weekend unless Sulley Muntari’s one-match suspension is withdrawn.

Pescara midfielder Muntari, 32, was banned after he protested against racist abuse he received from the crowd during Sunday’s Serie A match at Cagliari, which earned him a yellow card for dissent
before he walked off.

Italy’s football chiefs were branded “gutless” by anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out.

“Those with power in Italy need to take action to stop this happening again,” Kick It Out tweeted.

Crooks, an independent Kick It Out trustee, told the BBC: “I’m calling on players in Italy, black and white, to make it absolutely clear to the federation in Italy that their position is unacceptable, and if the decision is not reversed then they withdraw their services until it is.”

In a fuller statement on its website, Kick It Out added: “It’s unbelievable that Cagliari escaped punishment as ‘only 10’ fans were involved. This situation should never be allowed to happen again.”

Ex-Ghana international Muntari was cautioned for dissent after asking the referee to stop the match, and then walked off in protest – which earned him a second yellow card for leaving the field of play without permission.