To:
U.E.F.A.
P.O. Box 303
Ch.1260
Nyon, Switzerland
Dear Sirs:
As the Executive Director for the Major Leaague Soccer Players Association in the United States of America and a former professional soccer player in Scotland, England, Canada, Mexico and the United States, I am writing to you to express my dismay regarding the discipline you imposed on Robbie Fowler. I have been involved with labor since I was a teenager and I, like Robbie Fowler and many individuals on both sides of the Atlantic, have great sympathy for the dock workers in Liverpool, England.
When I read and saw the photograph of Robbie Fowler’s courage in supporting the dockers, I felt an immense sense of pride for him and for those he supports.
Somehow, I believe his treatment would have been different if his shirt had revealed “God Save the Queen” or some other euphemism. Robbie Fowler and the other men and women who support the dockers should be supported, not punished. To fine an individual for displaying his support for the working people of England is cowardly and reminiscent of a plantation owner’s mentality.
I hope in the future your organization understands that it is working people to a large extent that support soccer throughout the world and for a player to express his feelings for those individuals is something that should be encouraged rather than disparaged.
Very Truly yours,
John Kerr
Executive Director
Major League Soccer Players Association
cc: P.Robinson, CEO
Liverpool Football Club
Anfield Road
Liverpool, Merseyside
England
MLSPA 2021 L STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20036
TEL: 202-463-2200 FAX: 202-857-0673
