Groups advocating for anti-racism have criticized the “disgraceful” remarks made by former Norwich sporting director Stuart Webber concerning five black footballers.
In an interview with the Pink Un, Webber remarked that the players, including Raheem Sterling, Abu Kamara, Jonathan Rowe, Max Aarons, and Jamal Lewis, may have faced incarceration or other negative outcomes if they hadn’t pursued careers in professional football.
Troy Townsend from Kick It Out described the comments as “absolutely disgraceful.”
BBC Sport has reached out to Webber for a statement and understands that he has personally apologized to the players mentioned, as well as their families.
Webber discussed his charity work with the Summit Foundation, which he co-founded with his wife, during the interview with the Pink Un. The foundation aims to raise awareness and provide opportunities for young people to help them reach their full potential.
“We want to help the guys who really need it, not the ones who are maybe privileged. I saw that with our young footballers,” said Webber, who was also Liverpool’s director of recruitment.
“Jonny Rowe wouldn’t mind me saying it but him, Abu Kamara, Max (Aarons), Jamal (Lewis), Raheem (Sterling) back in the day at Liverpool, where they come from it had to work out for them in football, because the alternative is potentially jail or something else.”
Townsend, head of development at Kick It Out, told BBC Sport: “A former Norwich City sporting director has just casually racially profiled five professional footballers, including some current and former Norwich players.”
In a statement, the body added Webber’s comments were “deeply offensive and concerning”.
It continued: “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.”
Kick It Out said it would also be contacting Norwich City “for their observations”.
Ged Grebby, chief executive of anti-racism education charity Show Racism the Red Card, added: “We hold sessions on stereotyping and it sounds like Stuart Webber would benefit from attending one of those courses after making these comments.
“It is a reminder of the challenge that football faces to eradicate institutional racism from the game on the pitch and in the boardroom.”
BBC Sport understands defender Aarons, now at Bournemouth, is angered, frustrated and saddened by the comments.
Striker Kamara, currently on loan at Portsmouth, said he and his family were “deeply saddened and shocked” by the comments.
“You don’t have to be a professional athlete to avoid living a life of crime,” added the 20-year-old. “You can be whatever you want to be as long as you work hard, believe in yourself and be consistent in what you do.”
Aberystwyth-native Webber transitioned from his role as Wrexham’s head of youth in July 2009 to join Liverpool, where he was involved with nurturing talents like Chelsea’s England forward Sterling, who later transferred to Manchester City.
Subsequently, in August 2012, he assumed the position of head of scouting at QPR, and later held the same role at Wolves from January 2013 to June 2015.
In June 2015, Webber took on the role of director of football at Huddersfield before moving to Norwich in April 2017.
After six-and-a-half years with the Canaries, Webber left Carrow Road in November of last year. During his tenure, players like Aarons and Northern Ireland international full-back Lewis, who transferred to Newcastle in 2020 and is currently on loan at Watford, demonstrated their talents.
Forward Rowe has netted 13 goals for Norwich this season, while Kamara, who progressed through the club’s youth system, has made three appearances for the first team.