Titus and Shola speak about Slovakia

Last updated : 16 October 2002 By Martyn Elliott

We should be proud of this guy
Both players suffered racist abuse from the Slovak fans in the Under-21 international last Friday and then watched in horror as Emile Heskey and Ashley Cole suffered a torrent of abuse during the full international the following day.

We can be proud of both players, and Jermaine Jenas, though as they answered the bigots in the best possible way by helping England secure a 4-0 victory.

The three Toon youngsters then repeated the feat by playing in the 3-1 win over FYRO Macedonia at Reading last night. Arsenal’s Francis Jeffers scored all three as England cruised to victory in the European Championship qualifier.

Titus spoke to The Journal about the Slovakia experience: "These people are living in some sort of time warp. It always seems to be worst in Eastern Europe, where they don't have very mixed populations, but there has also been trouble in other countries this season.

"It is the 21st century, it really is time it was stopped and Uefa must act.

"Nobody should have to experience that sort of thing in this day and age, I thought the England players did well to ignore it."

Shola reacted to the taunts by scoring the first goal against Slovakia and told the Evening Chronicle what he thinks of the racist fans.

"The ground that we played our game in was pretty full, and while we got a great reception from the England fans it was sad to hear the racist stuff.

"But I've been there before and I just laugh at those people. All I can do is play well, which I felt I did on Friday."

It was great to see Newcastle providing the spine of the young England team and even better to see all three of them putting in great performances in trying circumstances.

The future is looking good.