Wayne Rooney has voiced his strong opinions on the persistent issue of racism in football, recounting a distressing experience during his time managing DC United in Major League Soccer. Speaking on his new BBC podcast, "The Wayne Rooney Show," the former England and Manchester United star recalled a deeply emotional incident where one of his players was racially abused. According to Rooney, the player was so affected by the abuse that he "was crying on my chest," highlighting the profound psychological impact of such incidents.

Rooney emphasized that racist remarks are not simply "throwaway lines" with no meaning, but rather inflict deep emotional wounds on the victims. He stressed the urgent need for greater awareness and understanding of the harmful effects of racism in the sport and society.

Rooney's comments come in the wake of recent instances of racial abuse in football, including the alleged abuse of Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo during a match against Liverpool. Semenyo himself took to social media to express his frustration and question when the abuse would finally stop. This incident prompted an investigation by Merseyside Police, which led to a 47-year-old man being ejected from Anfield. Additionally, Tottenham forward Mathys Tel received racist abuse online after missing a penalty in a Super Cup match against Paris St Germain.

To combat this ongoing problem, Rooney has called for stronger action against clubs whose fans engage in racist behavior. He suggested that financial penalties or points deductions could serve as effective deterrents. He argued that hitting clubs "in the pocket" is the only way to stop it.

The Football Association (FA) already possesses the authority to punish clubs for failing to address reports of racist abuse, with sanctions ranging from fines to stadium closures. In 2023, League Two club Gillingham was fined £12,500 by the FA for misconduct, including racist and sexist abuse by their supporters.

Rooney also advocated for broader anti-racism education campaigns targeting all members of society, including children, parents, and grandparents. He believes that education is key to changing attitudes and preventing future incidents of racism.

This isn't the first time Rooney has had to deal with racism during his time in the MLS. In 2022, there was an alleged racism incident between two players during a match between DC United and Inter Miami. DC United forward Taxi Fountas was accused of racially abusing Inter Miami's defender Damion Lowe. Rooney substituted Fountas, and play resumed.