'Racism not rife in England'

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Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp does not believe there is a problem with racism in English football.

The 64-year-old boss was speaking after Liverpool forward Luis Suarez was given an eight-match ban and fine of 40,000 pounds by the Football Association (FA) for making racist remarks to Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra.

Redknapp is preparing his team to face Chelsea, whose captain John Terry is to face prosecution for alleged racial abuse towards Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand, in the English Premier League on Thursday.

But Redknapp denied suggestions racism was rife in England due to the mixture of ethnic groups at each club.

When asked on Wednesday if he thought there was a problem with racism, Redknapp told reporters: "No I've never thought that, no. I don't know if there can be."

"You come into a dressing room, I've got as many black players here as white players so I don't see where there should be a problem."

"They are all mates. They all play together, they all get on great together. It's not in my mind that those things happen anymore."

However, Redknapp did say that those found guilty of racism should be punished, but he stopped short of passing comment on Suarez as he did not know what the Uruguayan was alleged to have said.

"There's no place for racism in sport or in life so I've got no time for it, and if somebody is definitely guilty then they have to take the consequences that's for sure, but I wouldn't be sitting here judging Suarez as I don't know what he said," he said.

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