AS a Blackburn Rovers supporter of many years (and of the Anti-Nazi League), I am delighted at the sanctions imposed by UEFA over the racist abuse of Benni McCarthy.

Thanks should be expressed to McCarthy himself, to Mark Hughes as a manager, and to the club management for contributing to a major European initiative in sporting relations.

Some years ago, Blackburn (like Everton) had a bad reputation in the failure to sign black players.

I have worked in the past under the apartheid regime in South Africa.

I am familiar with the appalling racist experiences that Benni McCarthy's family will have suffered, and with his own struggle to be recognised on his merits as a footballing hero.

Times have changed dramatically.

Blackburn Rovers are at least leading the way in Europe.

PROF MIKE BROGDEN, University of Lancaster.