European soccer is hardly the bastion of racial sensitivity. Just ask DaMarcus Beasley, or any other black player who has had to endure monkey noises, bananas being thrown on the field or other horrid racist actions. Or officials of the German side that had to officially ban neo-Nazis from their stadium.

British soccer has had its share of problems, but times are changing. The Premier League is now a truly global affair, with clubs bringing in top talent from around the world, giving their knucklehead fans a chance to expand their horizons and subject players to a whole new world of racist chants (literally).

The latest example: Middlesbrough striker Mido, who is from Egypt. Certain unsavory elements of rival Newcastle’s fan base have decided to make him a target this season, and not just because of his meager three goals. There were problems with offensive chants when the two teams played earlier this year, and it continued on Sunday, as GOAL.COM reports the visiting Newcastle fans subjected Mido to chants of “Mido, he’s got a bomb.”

The FA is currently investigating, and could hit Newcastle with punishment as strict as taking away points. THE NORTHERN ECHO says that Newcastle manager Gareth Southgate rejected the notion that Newcastle’s team should be docked points for the actions of some of their fans.

“We have to rise above it,” said the Middlesbrough manger. “If people want to shout those things, then it is a reflection on them rather than anything else. Newcastle are an excellent club, and they can’t do anything about their traveling fans.

“It’s an individual’s decision to sing whatever they want, and there’s a danger that we go on a witch hunt. It’s very hard. What do you? Punish the club? “I don’t think that’s fair. How can a club the size of Newcastle control individuals?”

How can they control individuals? How about having increasing security at home games, and having team officials sit with the away side in their section, and immediately kicking out anyone who is engaging in racist chants? Or banning fans who have been found to be making these chants (there have been no bans of Newcastle fans after the multiple incidents).

I would think that in a nation where there are closed-circuit security cameras on every major street corner, they could find a way to make this work. If they cared. But since it took until 1977 for a black player to play for the England national team, excuse me if I’m a little skeptical.