ANTI-RACIST campaign Kick It Out backed England manager Gareth Southgate yesterday after he said that England “must get our own house in order” before accusing World Cup hosts Russia of racism.

The former under-21 boss spent a “really interesting couple of hours” with Kick It Out’s education manager Troy Townsend earlier this week and the anti-discrimination group said that there is still plenty of work left to rid not only the sport but wider society of racism.

“Kick It Out welcomes the England manager’s comments and is pleased that Gareth Southgate is using his position to encourage discussion about the need to tackle racism in English football,” a statement read.