Anti-racism body slams 'weak' FA, Premier League

LONDON (AFP) - The chairman of an anti-racism group has accused England's Football Association and the top-flight Premier League of lacking morality and leadership over their handling of recent racism cases.

Mr Herman Ouseley, who heads the Kick It Out organisation, also rebuked Chelsea and Liverpool over the racism incidents involving their players John Terry and Luis Suarez, saying they failed to take a stand against unacceptable behaviour.

"There is very little morality in football among the top clubs," Mr Ouseley, a lawmaker in Britain's upper chamber of parliament, said in an interview with The Guardian newspaper published on Tuesday.

"Leadership is so important; you have to send a powerful message that racism is completely unacceptable. But there is a moral vacuum. The big clubs look after their players as assets. There was no bold attitude from them, to say that they would not put up with it."