How big a problem is racism in modern football?
Racism in football is a longstanding issue that has yet to be eradicated. The sport, which is beloved by millions around the world, has been marred by instances of racist behaviour from players, coaches, fans, and even governing bodies. These forms of discrimination not only hurt the individuals who are targeted, but also harm sport as a whole and the communities that support it. This begs the question what is being done to tackle it?
One of the most prominent ways in which racism has manifested itself in football is through the use of racial slurs and other forms of verbal abuse directed at players, coaches, and officials.
In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile incidents, including the case of John Terry, who was accused of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand during a match in 2011. More recently, in 2019, Raheem Sterling was subjected to racial abuse by a spectator during a match against Chelsea.
As football fans, we need to take greater responsibility. It can be just as bad not calling out this behaviour. So, I question why this behaviour is not being reported and called out as frequently as possibly it should be.
Perhaps we should consider some form of incentivisation e.g. encouraging fans to report instances of racism by offering a drink. Do you think this would make fans more likely to report racist behaviour?
Another form of racism in football is discrimination in hiring and management. There is a significant lack of diversity in coaching and management positions.
A study by the Sports People’s Think Tank found that only 4% of professional coaches in England are black, despite the fact that 28% of professional players are black.
This lack of diversity in leadership positions perpetuates stereotypes and discrimination against black players and coaches. Having said this, it is challenging to arrive at possible solutions, although steps are starting to be taken as I will illustrate later.
Racism in football is also a manifestation of the racism within the societies where sport takes place. Football clubs can act as symbols of a community, and racist attitudes that are present in a community can be reflected in the attitudes of the fans and officials of a football club.
Racism can also be found in the way the media covers football. Raheem Sterling spoke out against the media and stood up for his Manchester City colleague Tosin Adarabioyo when the Daily Mail portrayed him in a very different manner to another white Manchester City youngster Phil Foden.
It is clear from this example that Adarabioyo was portrayed negatively for buying a house for his family for a large sum of money, when they were happy to show Foden as a hero for the same thing.
Racist stereotypes and biased representation of players can contribute to discrimination and prejudice. How are newspapers such as the Daily Mail allowed to get away with this with no form of punishment or sanction?
To eradicate racism in football, a multifaceted approach is needed.
One important step is to address racist behaviour when it occurs. This includes holding individuals and groups accountable for their actions and imposing penalties when necessary. This could include fines, bans, and other sanctions.
Furthermore, it is crucial to raise awareness and educate individuals on the issue of racism, as some may not recognise the harmful effects of their behaviour.
Another important step is to increase diversity and representation in leadership positions within the sport. This can be achieved through initiatives such as the "Rooney Rule", named after NFL team owner Dan Rooney.
The ruling requires teams to interview at least one person of colour for head coaching and senior football operation vacancies. This will ensure that all voices are heard and will help to break down the stereotypes that have long been associated with football.
In addition, FIFA and other governing bodies of football should also play a leading role in addressing racism. This could include creating and enforcing stricter policies on racist behaviour, promoting diversity and inclusion, and providing resources for players, coaches, and officials to report racist incidents.
Moreover, creating partnerships with anti-discrimination groups, promoting anti-discrimination campaigns, and fostering a sense of community ownership in football clubs can help to combat racism. This can be achieved through fan engagement initiatives and supporting local community groups that promote diversity and inclusion.
Finally, it is important to recognise that racism in football is a symptom of a larger societal issue. Racism in football cannot be fully eradicated unless it is addressed in society as a whole. It is essential therefore that all people work together to combat discrimination and prejudice in all forms, both in the world of football and beyond.
In conclusion, racism in football is a serious and ongoing issue that must be addressed. It is not enough to simply condemn racist behaviour; real action must be taken to educate, raise awareness, and stand against racism.
Thanks for reading and please comment on whether you think enough is being done to combat racism, and if not, what you think should be happening.
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