Summary: Phil and Anto are joined by the Chairman of the PFA in England, Clarke Carlisle, to have a in depth chat on transparency and activism across a variety of topics that are very important in the game today and touch all aspects of his activism and advocacy in a number of important endeavors, including - but not limited to - The Kick It Out campaign, his continued support of Sporting Chance and his role on the UK Anti-Doping Athletes Committee. We start on the matter of Rio Ferdinand being excluded from the England National Team and the message that is being sent by football authorities. Then we get underneath the issue of racism itself and how the divide between the status quo and a real path toward resolution appears to hang on the balance of when people of color will ascend to the real seats of power in football. We also gauge the racial incident at the European Championships with the Dutch players and if political considerations are insulating the governing body and the national federations from actually tackling this problem in a manner that matches the words, zero tolerance. This includes report findings that Poland, through its own report, indicated that the country was not yet prepared to host a tournament of this magnitude and how the message UEFA is sending is not - yet again - being matched by its actions. Then we move to the issues of player gambling, substance abuse and transparency in all aspects of player management including how clubs are now investing more resources into personal development and preparation for young men who are finding themselves under new levels of pressure due to their sense of entitlement and financial means. Clarke is one of the most candid figures on these issues and is a highly respected figure within football based on his constant effort and energy in resolving the key issues inside football today. Also discussed here are the racial instances in England this season, how football clubs responded to these incidents served as almost benchmark scenarios for the future and how we need to deliver new levels of transparency throughout football to ensure that we have guaranteed the highest level of integrity to our game. Must listen episode with a player who demonstrates that players do understand the role they have in society and contribute to the greater good.
