July 7.

I refer to a paragraph in Tom Shields's Diary under the heading

''Scots connection'' (July 7).

A remark is made about the footballer Basile Boli which beggars

belief. Perhaps I have no sense of humour and perhaps your diarist is

deliberately trying to be provocative. The fact remains that his comment

is blatantly racist and would not look out of place in the National

Front's mouthpiece, Bulldog.

At a time when many football fans are endeavouring to stamp out racism

from the terraces, I find it incredible that any newspaper could print

such offensive copy.

Martin Gemmell,

19 Argyle Place,

Edinburgh.