I think looking to racism for the explanation is way off the mark. There is absolutely nothing in the background of a writer like Barney Ronay that suggests racism. AFAIK there is no history of him using racist language, or targeting BAME players for unwarranted criticism, or inappropriate defence of other racist actions (eg the Chelsea fans vs Raz or on the metro in Paris) or anything else that suggests racism. Yet he was all over the (white) alleged human rights abusers in Russia, and he can’t get the knife in quick enough when it comes to a different (brown) set of alleged human rights abusers.
but that simply begs the question if not racism, what is it that motivates him to whitewash (pun intentional) Russia but tar and feather Abu Dhabi? to my mind the most likely answer is money. We know Russia has put a lot of money into PR and I would not be surprised if the ultimate explanation for that particular inconsistency in the Barney Ronay worldview was simply roubles. Directly or indirectly I suspect it was in his financial interests to write his puff pieces about Russia and directly or indirectly it is in his financial interests to write negatively about City.
I suspect for similar reasons Miggy is about to change his tune on alleged human rights abusers in the Middle East. Or go very silent very quickly. I don’t think he’s a racist either. Just a ****.
For the avoidance of doubt I have no beef with anyone who thinks the answer is racism, and I certainly don’t deplore the accusation because it is undoubtedly one possible explanation. But to my mind, you get to the true answer by following the money.