West Ham trailblazer sends message to Rangers duo Gassama & Fernandez over racist abuse

Rangers duo Djeidi Gassama and Emmanuel Fernandez have received backing from legendary West Ham figure Clyde Best.

The 22-year-old and 24-year-old have both been regular stars at Ibrox this campaign, having completed moves to Govan in the summer.

Danny Rohl has looked to both for inspiration at times, with the centre-back among the most improved players under the German.

Gassama has showcased his attacking quality throughout the season, particularly on the European stage, where he netted six goals across the Champions League and Europa League.

Despite that, both the Frenchman and Fernandez have been subject to racist abuse on social media, but have taken measures of their own to respond.

Clyde Best backs Djeidi Gassama and Emmanuel Fernandez after racist abuse at Rangers

Best is best known as a figurehead for black footballers in England, having moved to the East End of London from Bermuda at the age of 17.

He was one of the first black men to star in the old First Division when racism was common on the terraces.

Best’s story inspired US film-maker Dan Egan to create the upcoming documentary, Transforming the Beautiful Game: The Clyde Best Story, which chronicles his life from the small North American island to stardom in the English First Division, as well as spells in the USA, South Africa and the Netherlands.

The 75-year-old still acts as a role model for black players and has now made his feelings known on recent abuse targeted at Gassama and Fernandez.

Both Rangers stars took to social media to share screenshots of messages they had been sent, making all the details public.

Best stands by the Ibrox duo and hopes that their actions could help inspire much-needed change in the world of football.

“They have a right to voice their opinion, especially when it’s been targeted at them,” Best told Ibrox News at the media conference after the initial movie premiere announcements.

“We have social media now, and you have to pay attention to it. They want it to benefit the game because that’s what it is all about, making the game for everybody.

“Football does not belong to one race of people; football belongs to everybody. That’s why Pele always labelled it, ‘The Beautiful Game’.

“It’s the best game in the world, you meet all sorts of people, you make all sorts of friendships.

“Having the players putting things out on social media, letting people be aware of what needs to be done, is not a bad thing.

“Hopefully, one day, we can all hold our hands up and say, ‘Hey, we’ve achieved what we need to achieve, and that’s to get people to go to a football game, behave themselves and respect the players in the right way’.”

Fernandez and Gassama not alone in social media abuse

Fernandez shared images of messages he was sent, describing them as “disgusting” on social media.

That was echoed by Gassama, and both have been backed by Best, which should carry a lot of weight from such a legendary figure.

Frustration surrounding the Rangers duo won’t be helped knowing that similar abuse has also been levelled at many English Premier League players in recent weeks.

Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri, Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana, Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare and Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle have all been targeted since mid-February.

These actions are becoming all too regular, and that is a topic that will only become more prominent when Best’s movie releases.

Transforming the Beautiful Game: The Clyde Best Story will premiere from 25 to 28 March in London.

Tickets can be purchased on the Sadler’s Wells website.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.