Main content

Accepting MBE would be a 'kick in the teeth' to black ancestors

Howard Gayle, the first black footballer to play for Liverpool FC, has turned down the chance to be nominated for an MBE, saying it would be "a kick in the teeth" to Africans who suffered at the hands of the British Empire.

He also cited the government's treatment of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster as a reason for not accepting the honour, which titles its recient as a 'Member of the British Empire".

Gayle said: "The establishment lied, protected certain officials to portray Liverpool fans as something that they weren't".

When asked about other black footballers such as John Barnes accepting MBEs, he said it's "their choice", but his decision was based on "thinking back to the slave trade".

This clip is originally from 5 live Daily on 16 August 2016.

Release date:

Duration:

3 minutes

This clip is from

Featured in...