Whatever you think of comics such as Frank Carson and their "I'll have a go at anyone" brand of excuse for the hideous racial stereotyping that typifies so much of their material, there can be little doubt that the lack of Asian footballers in the professional game (despite a thriving amateur scene) and the fact that blacks are still under-represented in all off-pitch aspects of it, owes somehting to the tacit acceptance of racial stereotyping behind the scenes at all levels.

So it is rather refreshing to hear that Radio 5 Live controller Roger Mosey has publicly criticised Arsenal and Carson for the tasteless material he witnessed delivered in the comic's after-dinner speech at corporate hospitality for the Derby game last Sunday.

"His jokes included racial stereotypes about Muslims and Jews, he indulged in predictable homophobia and sexism. Now if people want to see Frank performing on a seaside pier I have no problem with that. The question is whether this offensive old tat is the right menu for a mixed audience which is attending a football match and whether a club like Arsenal, with Nwankwo Kanu and Thierry Henry among its stars, should consider this an acceptable contribution to its public image".

See Soccernet