Stuart Webber, the former Norwich sporting director, has been accused of “racial profiling” and “lazy stereotyping” after suggesting a group of black footballers he worked with might have ended up in jail had they not forged careers in the game.
Webber, in an interview with the local newspaper Pink Un, stated that their aim is to assist those who are truly in need, rather than those who may have more privilege. He has previously served as the sporting director at Huddersfield and worked in recruitment at Liverpool.
“In my experience with our young football players, Jonny Rowe, Abu Kamara, Max Aarons, Jamal Lewis, and Raheem Sterling all have come from backgrounds where their success in football was crucial, as the alternative could have been prison or other negative outcomes.”
According to a statement from Kick It Out, which is an organization that fights against racism, the remarks made by Stuart Webber, a former sporting director for Norwich City, in an interview where he categorized players based on race, are highly offensive and alarming.
“To read such callous language being used by someone who until recently was a senior executive at the top of the English game paints a very damning picture. Resorting to lazy stereotyping is clearly upsetting for those who have been targeted, but also shows a complete lack of respect for their families, who have played a huge part in the journeys that the players have been on.”
Webber has either expressed remorse or reached out to the players mentioned in the interview. However, as of Sunday afternoon, he had not contacted everyone on the list. According to The Guardian, those named and their families are extremely upset. A request for comment has been made to Webber.
Last Saturday, Rowe, the forward for Norwich, expressed his pride in being from the same Wembley neighborhood as Sterling in an interview with the Guardian. Rowe added, “He’s the one that everyone in my area aspires to be like, who made a success for themselves.”
Webber, who was involved in recruiting a young Sterling from QPR in 2010 for Liverpool, conducted an interview with the Pink Un to promote a charity climb up Mount Everest. The goal is to gather funds for local youth pursuing a career in sports.
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“I am appalled by Stuart Webber’s racist attitude and lack of respect towards the black players and their families. Catriona Lewis, mother of Watford’s Jamal, also expressed her disapproval, stating that Webber’s comment was unprofessional and based on unfounded assumptions.”
Webber departed Norwich in 2023 after a successful six-year stint with the team. Prior to his time at QPR and Wolves, he held the position of director of recruitment at Liverpool, collaborating with managers Rafael Benítez and Kenny Dalglish.
Source: theguardian.com
