Racism In Football

Racism is one of those topics that we hate to talk about because it is Taboo and often rooted in controversy.  There are however occasions where we are forced to talk about it and the case where it affects the spirit of a game - especially a global game like football - is one such case. 

We highlight two major allegations of Racism in the recent pass, both in the English Premier Division League.  

The first is the case of Luis Suarez, Liverpool striker who was found guilty of racially abusing the Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during a league game.  Suarez served an 8 match ban for the incident returning last Saturday to the starting lineup in a game against non other than the English Champions Manchester United. You can imagine the anticipation leading up to the game as everyone had their eyes and ears fixed on the pair.

Before the game began there was further controversy as Suarez refused to shake Evra's hand during the customary team/official exchange.  Evra was evidently peeved as he reached out for Suarez's hand with the resolve to find out why he refused to shake his hand?

There was further reports of confrontation in the tunnel at half time but these have not been verified.  The game ended with a Manchester United victory and an exuberant Evra who ran the length of the pitch celebrating in a manner to direct disdain on Luis Suarez.  At one point he appeared to get to within a couple meter of the Liverpool and Uruguayan striker. 

The player has since apologize for the refusal to shake hands and the Football association said that they will not pursue it any further.  Kenny Dalglish the Liverpool manager who scuffed the media after the game also apologized for his behavior.  Meanwhile Sir Alex Ferguson did not mince his words when he expressed his disappointment with Suarez.

The second high profile case involves the England and Chelsea captain John Terry who was accused of making racial slurs against Anton Ferdinand of Queens Park Rangers in a league game.  He has since been stripped of the England captaincy and like a domino effect this led to the resignation of the national coach Fabio Capello.  Terry has categorically denied the accusations and is yet to be found guilty.  In a statement made to press association sports he remarked:  “I am the proud captain of one of the most internationally diverse teams in the Premier League and I absolutely believe that there is no place for racism in sport and indeed in any walk of life.”

We definitely endorse that statement by Terry and we will not judge him before his case is tried. 

Racism is not a new phenomenon and we have battled it for centuries from the exodus of the native Americans to the heights of the slave trade, to the civil rights movement in America up to this day where we still see a subtle form of discrimination which although very evident has failed to attract any serious attention.  It remains a taboo subject and the victims sometimes themselves are entrenched in the concept of separation based on race. 

This is the form of racism that has crept into the beautiful game of football.  I cant say how long this has existed but my feeling is that it has been creeping around for some  time. Whether or not it is now coming out because of a change in dynamics is something to explore.  What I can say categorically however is that racism has no place in any sport.

The problem I think is a matter of ignorance and immaturity on the part of players.  There is the argument that players are supposed to be tough and not pay attention to racial slurs during a game;  Its all a part of the game and they should keep focus.  We have seen and heard many comments to this effect, even by victims of racial abuse.

On the other hand there is the argument that the game should be played with the greatest amount of respect and any demeaning comments or advances should be left out.

I have to go with the latter argument since the spirit of the game is critical and respect is essential whether you win or lose.  It is a professional game and therefore the protocol should enforce that mutual respect be observed.  In the same way that the referee controls the way in which tackles are made the game does need a means of maintaining a dignified atmosphere fitting of professionals.   

When I watch a game of football I see players from many different countries, tall, short, light skin, dark skin, clean, dirty, young, old, you name it - playing together with a common goal to make their team win.

We don't know what is in the minds of players and we cannot presume that there is any malice based on race but where there is evidence of this it is imperative that it be dealt with in a serious manner to deter antisocial behavior.  

Football has been a great agent in the fight against racism in general and the signs are very clear as it relates to the progress made so far. 

While I give John Terry the benefit of the doubt, I do think all players need to be constantly made aware of the responsibility they hold for an entire generation and the importance of their decorum in changing the game we love and the world in which  we live. 

There is no doubt that Terry is a "hot head", likewise Evra and Suarez and this is just a reflection of the passion they bring into the game.  Where the trouble brew is the point at which players let the passion get ahead of the spirit and respect of the game, players , fans and teams. 

We love the passion and the intense battles, but at the same time we want to see self control and mutual respect because players are role models for millions of youth.  No matter what FIFA does, only the players can stop racism in football.