Pat Nevin believes that the apparent racist incidents over the weekend in the Premier League are grim, but that the response reflects well on society and the media.

Pat joined Off The Ball to discuss this weekend's Premier League action, which was somewhat overshadowed by an incident between Manchester United and Manchester City, one at Tottenham and homophobic chanting at the Amex Stadium.

"I would say it is getting a little bit more common. There are a variety of reasons for it; I'm no social scientist but the Brexit stuff and talk of 'people coming into our country' can't be helping," says Nevin.

"It is the dawn of the social media society that we are in.

"Many people think that they can say what they like online and forget that there are rules and structures in our society [...] that mean we are ready for you.

"There is also another little thing - this thing that 'we have no time for experts'; that what the people say is the most important thing.

"But when you say what you say, you have to stand by the exact same rules as everybody else - that is, the expert or broadcaster, for example - has to abide by.

"You are in that realm now and you play by the same rules as them. And if you fall foul of those rules, then don't come crying and don't pretend you're not really pretending to be a monkey.

"We can see what you're doing, and you're an idiot."

Nevin pinpointed two aspects that were especially disappointing in the context of the weekend, alongside one positive.

"Also, two things that shocked me - all those things that are being thrown by Manchester City; I've never seen them animated like that! That is the group that is down by the away support and so the nutters go towards them.

"The other thing is Raheem Sterling is standing right there. And it was a horrible moment to see Raheem walking through that, seeing that which he has had in a variety of places.

"But well done to the media - it was absolutely brilliant to see it scrutinised so strongly on every television programme, radio programme and newspaper."

Subscribe to Off The Ball's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.