‘It’s embarrassing BBC Derby have provided a platform for this type of racial stereotyping’: Max Lowe hits out at Craig Ramage after former Rams defender claimed ‘all the young black lads’ needed pulling down a peg or two
- Craig Ramage appeared on the BBC Radio Derby Sportscene show
- He said ‘young black lads’ in the team need ‘pulling down a peg a two’
- Ramage began his career at Derby, where he played between 1988 and 1994
- Kick It Out chief Troy Townsend and Derby players have led the condemnation
Derby defender Max Lowe has hit out at a BBC radio pundit who sparked a race row by criticising the club’s ‘young black lads’ and claiming they need ‘pulling down a peg or two.’
Former Rams defender Craig Ramage made the extraordinary comments during BBC Radio Derby Sportscene show, following Phillip Cocu’s side’s 1-1 draw against Huddersfield.
Speaking on the show Ramage said: ‘When I look at certain players, their body language, their stance, the way they act, you just feel, hold on a minute, he needs pulling down a peg or two.
Craig Ramage made some incendiary remarks about the ‘young black lads’ in Derby’s team
‘So I’d probably say that about all the young black lads, all the young advice if they wanted it, that, you know, it’s about, when you are struggling for form, you are going through a sticky patch, it’s about going back to basics, working hard, and doing the right things.’
The station edited Ramage’s offensive sweeping statement, which played on racial stereotypes, out of the podcast of the show released on Sunday but have quickly faced mounting pressure to act.
Kick It Out chief Troy Townsend led the condemnation, saying: ‘It’s embarrassing that BBC Derby have provided a platform for this type of racial stereotyping. No amount of education will stop this ignorance.’
Derby first-team coach Liam Rosenior said: ‘In reading this quote I HAVE to respond and ask BBC Derby Sport to confirm this quote and I’m happy to challenge this openly. Unacceptable.’
Max Lowe has led the criticism of Ramage’s comments made on BBC Radio Derby Sportscene
Left-back Lowe, was an unused sub against Huddersfield and left deeply upset by Ramage’s comments but felt compelled to stand up and speak out to highlight the issue himself.
He said: ‘As a young black footballer making my way in the game, I was shocked by comments made by one of the analysts on BBC Radio Derby’s Sportscene programme after our 1-1 draw with Huddersfield.
‘With the support from people I have around me – and after reading today that Raheem Sterling is to spearhead an anti-racism and anti-discrimination taskforce on behalf of players from all backgrounds – I have decided to speak out on behalf of all black footballers at Derby County.
‘Racial ignorance, stereotyping and intolerance negatively affects the image of impressionable young footballers and creates an unnecessary divide in society.
His comments came after Wayne Rooney’s Derby were held to a 1-1 draw by Huddersfield
‘I am also disappointed that a public service broadcaster did not step in to ask the analyst to explain his reasoning or to distance themselves from these archaic thoughts.
‘This was a broadcast at the same time BBC Derby is promoting a 27-minute feature with former Rams defender Charlie Palmer about the difficulties he faced as a young black footballer in the 1980s.
‘As a professional footballer at an ambitious, high=profile Championship club I know that my performances will be scrutinised and I have no problem with that whatsoever – but I do not think it is acceptable for myself and my teammate Jayden Bogle to be judged by the colour of our skin.
‘Thank you for taking your time reading this – in a world where you can be anything, be kind.’
Ramage spent six years at Derby, where he started his professional career, between 1988 and 1994. He has also featured three times for England under-21s.
BBC Radio Derby have been contacted for comment.