In the late 70s and early 80s I thought it was ok to abuse a black player...up until the time I started to understand it wasn't ok...maybe whoever said it just hasn't been educated yet...how old was he ?
I'm more concerned by the fact that had it been a banana he wouldn't have controlled that either !
I was just about to say the same myself - I could have been regarded as racist in the 70s, but I grew up and realised the error of my ways. It isn't the 70s any more and we are a better society for it.
I find it hard to believe that anyone can defend the comments that were made, and I also find it odd that people are in total denial that we have racist and sectarian fans in our midst. Yes they are a very small minority, but anyone who goes to a match (particularly away ones) and isn't profoundly deaf must surely have heard them? It would appear that several of them are also posting on this thread!