Black footballers' group possible

A leading human rights barrister has said talks over a separate black footballers' association have begun. Peter Herbert, who chairs the Society of Black Lawyers and helped set up a Black Police Association, says the discussions are at a preliminary stage. Herbert says the new organisation would provide a more "radical" and "vigorous" approach to combating racism. Professional Footballers' Association chairman Clarke Carlisle warned a new group could have a divisiveffect. Herbert said players from various levels of the game, including the Premier League, were involved in discussions. The working title for the proposed body is the Black Players' Association. He added that John Terry's abuse of Anton Ferdinand and Luis Suarez's abuse of Patrice Evra last season, along with the alleged racist abuse of England Under-21 player Danny Rose in Serbia, were a trigger for black players to come forward and attempt to form the group. "People appear to have decided they have to do something more vigorously," Herbert said. "What we are seeking to do for the individuals is to have that protection so they are not on their own or faced with a barrage of pressure from the media, from their clubs or the FA, but have the support of the whole community of the UK - and that includes the legal community." But PFA chairman Carlisle said unity not separatism was needed. "[A new body] has the potential to be divisive because when you establish a black players' union it would instantly define 'us and them' and that's something we really need to work against," the York City defender said. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. //