Cameron hosts anti-racism summit

David Cameron has vowed to stop football being dragged back into the "bad old days of the past" ahead of a Downing Street summit aiming to tackle racism in the English game.

The Prime Minister said the Government was ready to help "crack" the issue of race discrimination which has recently re-emerged with a string of high-profile rows at the top of the sport. Writing in The Sun, Mr Cameron, who will meet some of football's biggest stars, governing bodies and anti-discrimination groups, warned the issue cannot be brushed under the carpet.

"Recently racism has come back into the spotlight, with cases involving some of the most famous players in football, one of which has led to the resignation of the England manager," he said. "We simply cannot brush this under the carpet."

He added: "Football will crack this problem - and the Government stands ready to help.

"I am absolutely clear: We will not let recent events drag us back to the bad old days of the past."

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt will also attend the No 10 summit, which comes after the Government revealed plans to inject £3million into the Football Association's new National Coaching Centre, St George's Park.

Mr Cameron, who is an Aston Villa fan, said more black and minority ethnic people were needed as top-level managers and coaches and that the new FA centre in Staffordshire would encourage them to progress in the game.

He added: "Football has an enormous influence on young people. Like every other parent, I want to be sure when my children see their heroes play they aren't let down by foul, racist or violent behaviour.

"Footballers can be great role models who the public admire. But it can go the other way. If children see bad behaviour on the television or at the stadium they may copy and reproduce it in the playground."

The event to promote a more "inclusive" sport comes amid fears that high-profile incidents are harming its image.