Gilberto: “PSV racially abused me”
March 6, 2007
Gilberto wants revenge for racist abuse
Gilberto Silva is gunning for revenge against PSV Eindhoven after he was subjected to a torrent of abuse 2003, when Arsenal beat PSV 4-1.
He said: “I had never experienced this kind of thing [before], but when I first came to Arsenal we had it. We were playing in Holland and it was against PSV,” he said. “At the end some of the fans started to sing monkey songs.”
“The players were talking about it. They were very upset but, for me, it didn’t have any effect because I couldn’t understand it,” he continued. “I was fully focussed on the match – I just noticed it at the end of the game.
“That was the only time I’ve really had this particular kind of problem.”
Statistics reveal that Arsenal have not overturned a first-leg deficit since 1978.
Gilberto is expecting a very defensive display from PSV, but he also said that Arsenal need to ensure that they themselves are not caught on the break.
He added: “Even at home in Holland, they did not come out to attack – so it will be even harder and more annoying for us in the second leg.
“We just need to be patient and do something special.”
This is the first time that Gilberto has ever publicly announced that he’s been subject to racism. It is just very strange that PSV fans are racist. Look at their team photograph:
It isn’t exactly all-white, so why should they suddenly become racist when black English players visit? I don’t understand.
Good luck for the PSV game, Bert.