Should we really be surprised by what happened in Paris last week?

It was a terrible ordeal for the man involved, Souleymane S, to have to go through although, for someone who is perceived to be different because of the colour of their skin, this is an everyday occurrence.

Some people are asking: "Are Chelsea to blame for this type of behaviour?" and I believe, indirectly, they are.

When the FA decided one of Chelsea’s own players used comments as a racist insult on the pitch, all eyes were on the club. The club had a duty and a responsibility to its other players, to society and to their new-found multi-cultural supporters to deal with the matter severely themselves.

Instead, they took "confidential" disciplinary action against him after the FA handed out a four-match ban and a six-figure fine.

So should we be surprised by the way these racist thugs acted? No!

Even though this was a disgusting act, I believe these racist thugs have a strong argument to call double standards.

Racism towards black people is black people’s problem and we can’t keep relying on other people to deal with these matters. If this means having separate unions and real campaigns that can combat racism, so be it, instead of having to answer to someone who can sympathise but never knows what it feels to walk in a black person’s shoes.

As a professional footballer who has received racial abuse while on the pitch, I – as well as many other players – am privileged to have a 'louder voice' than Joe Public. We owe it not only to ourselves but to our communities and families to speak openly about racism and come together to fight it properly.

This is not making it 'us against them' – I just think that if we are serious about things actually happening and getting real jobs and roles, this is a way of ensuring these things can possibly happen.

Also, when the likes of the FA are asking for advice on racial matters, people will know the advice being given is from a real perspective rather than lip service.

I call on all people, no matter what colour or religion, to keep reporting these acts of racism to the right authorities. The more we keep highlighting racism, the harder it makes it for them to ignore it and to keep sweeping it under the carpet.