I think Scholes use to get called a ferret due to his size, busy style of play and also possibly due to his hair and skin tone
Wider question fir the CAF - Is that racist?
I think it's been asked and in some way answered.
Animal similes are widespread throughout literature. Shakespeare;Tamora is called a 'heinous Tiger' in Titus Andronicus. Comparisons which do the animal a disservice if you ask me.
I think we've just become lazy and resort to cliche rather than racist stereotype. I think the perception is still there among certain coaches and even nationalities that black players are physically able but lack intellect. So we resort to poor descriptions based on colour, 'he's a black tank,' a black Messi,' 'black panther' was used to describe Eusebio even though he was a gifted striker in more departments as well as physical.
Didn't it used to be the case in the NFL, where the QB was always white and the runners black? It changed pretty rapidly though.
We have a load of work to do still