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Swansea boss Paul Clement says he has never had issues with discrimination during coaching career

Paul Clement, Swansea City press conference
Image: Paul Clement says there is a healthy camaraderie in the Swansea changing room

Swansea boss Paul Clement says he has never had a problem with respect or discrimination during his time in management - and says the multi-cultural Premier League can only be a force for good.

The FA has been in the spotlight over the handling of allegations made against former England Women's manager Mark Sampson.

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Chelsea striker Eni Aluko accused Sampson of bullying and using racist language, and Brighton manager Chris Hughton says everyone must be aware of the boundaries.

But Clement, who can count Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid among his former employers says he has not had to discipline any players for stepping over the mark during his eight-year coaching career.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's visit of Leicester, he said: "I'm obviously not privy to every conversation that happens but from my experience of lots of different dressing rooms in different countries, cultures and nationalities, the way I approach it is by using my experience and most importantly common sense.

Image: Clement worked under Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern

"There is absolutely a line over what is acceptable and not acceptable and we have a very respectful dressing room of many different nationalities, races and languages and I keep a close eye on it.

"I have not seen any situation where the line has been crossed and I have had to step in. All the environments I have worked in have been very respectful.

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"For me, the Premier League is a multi-national league with lots of different cultures and backgrounds and for me that can only be a good thing."

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26:  Craig Shakespeare, manager of Leicester City instructs his side as Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City looks on  during the Premier
Image: Clement has sympathy for Craig Shakespeare (right), the former Leicester boss

Clement said he was disappointed to see Craig Shakespeare lose his job this week, but is happy his team will be well prepared for any challenge the managerless Foxes might provide.

He said: "It's always a shame when a fellow manager loses his job. We all know the kinds of pressure we face week to week. Craig did extremely well at the end of last season and was also excellent as an assistant to help that team become champions.

"He steadied the ship and had a really good run in the Champions League. I hope he gets another position soon.

"We know there could be an upturn for them with a new man in charge but we have trained very well all week and we will be out to make it two wins on the bounce."

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