Football stars ‘need to step up in fight against stabbings’

CHELSEA legend Paul Canoville is encouraging footballers to call out London’s knife crime epidemic.

The retired midfielder — the Blues’ first black player — believes they are being stopped by Premier League clubs and PR men from straying into controversial subjects. He said: “I think footballers could do a lot more in schools — let them know about dreams and how important education is. Forget what the clubs are saying, this is your opinion — this could be your child or family member. Step up.”

Mr Canoville, 59, is the first football ambassador for the youth service of the charity Crimestoppers. Young people can use its anonymous online reporting service at Fearless.org to tell police about knife carriers.