Max Lowe has called a BBC pundit’s comments on Derby’s black players as ‘racial stereotyping’.
Speaking on BBC Radio Derby Sportscene after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Huddersfield, Craig Ramage said he thought the Rams’ ‘young black lads’ needed ‘pulling down a peg or two’.
The former Derby midfielder, who was sacked by the BBC, said: “When I look at certain players, their body language, their stance, the way they act, you just feel, hold on a minute, he needs pulling down a peg or two.
“So I’d probably say that about all the young black lads, all the young advice if they wanted it, that, you know, it’s about, when you are struggling for form, you are going through a sticky patch, it’s about going back to basics, working hard, and doing the right things.”
The BBC edited Ramage’s comments out of the podcast, which was released on Sunday.
The BBC deemed the comments ‘unacceptable’ and insisted they would no longer be working with Ramage.
A statement said: “These were entirely unacceptable comments and we will no longer be working with Craig.”
In an Instagram post, Lowe slammed Ramage’s ‘archaic’ views.
The Derby left-back said: “As a young black footballer making my way in the game, I was shocked by comments made by one of the analysts on BBC Radio Derby’s Sportscene programme after our 1-1 draw with Huddersfield.
“With the support from people I have around me – and after reading today that Raheem Sterling is to spearhead an anti-racism and anti-discrimination taskforce on behalf of players from all backgrounds – I have decided to speak out on behalf of black footballers at Derby County.
“Racial ignorance, stereotyping and intolerance negatively affects the image of impressionable young footballers and creates an unnecessary divide in society.
“I am also disappointed that a public service broadcaster did not step in to ask the analyst to explain his reasoning, or to distance themselves from these archaic thoughts.
“This was broadcast at the same time BBC Derby is promoting a 27-minute feature with former Rams defender Charlie Palmer about the difficulties he faced as a young black footballer in the 1980s.
“As a professional footballer at an ambitious, high-profile Championship club I know that my performances will be scrutinised and I have no problem with that whatsoever – but I do not think it is acceptable for myself and my team-mate Jayden Bogle to be judged by the colour of our skin.
“Thank you for taking your time reading this – in a world where you can be anything, be kind.”
Derby backed Lowe in a statement as they insisted ‘any form of discrimination’ would not be tolerated.
The club said: “Derby County Football Club is aware of comments made by a BBC employee after yesterday’s game against Huddersfield Town, directed specifically at a section of our young players.
“We have been in contact with the BBC throughout the day and underline that we do not in any way condone any form of discrimination.
“We take comments like these extremely seriously, we do not tolerate them, and stand shoulder to shoulder, together as one with all our players.”
Kick It Out chief Troy Townsend also condemned Ramage’s comments.
He said: “Derby County’s Max Lowe has just posted this on his Instagram.
“It’s embarrassing that BBC Derby have provided a platform for this type of racial stereotyping. No amount of education will stop this ignorance.”
