Racism has existed and stained football for many generations, but prolific events in recent years prompted calls for tougher action from football association bodies. When the football hooligans abused Kevin-Prince Boateng with racial slurs in 2013, he immediately left the pitch soon after he kicked the ball towards them. We must ask ourselves several questions: why is racism still prevalent today? Are we doing enough to combat it? And can we fully get rid of it in football? Racist insults against black players are still common in many European leagues. In Germany, the federation has tried to contain accusations of discrimination after Mesut Ozil, who is of Turkish origin, resigned from the national team this summer, saying, “I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose.”
Raheem Sterling – an attacker from Manchester City – and Kalidou Koulibaly – a defender from Napoli – are two footballers that have made recent headlines. Both encountered racially discriminative treatment traveling away from home. These events have sparked a worldwide outcry in football and have shown how racism is a significant issue that must be dealt with. On top of this, the increased use of social media in our world makes it even harder to combat racism given the fact that it is much simpler to discriminate others of color. However, there are some positives to the use of social media, with Raheem Sterling personally complaining about media scrutiny black players have faced in modern day football. He says:
“Good morning I just want to say, I am not normally the person to talk a lot but when I think I need my point to heard I will speak up. Regarding what was said at the Chelsea game as you can see by my reaction I just had to laugh because I don’t expect no better. For example you have two young players starting out there careers both play for the same team, both have done the right thing. Which is buy a new house for there mothers who have put in a lot of time and love into helping them get where they are, but look how the news papers get there message across for the young black player and then for the young white payer. I think this in unacceptable both innocent have not done a thing wrong but just by the way it has been worded. This young black kid is looked at in a bad light.“
The statement made by Raheem Sterling is one that must be admired, and how something outrageous has been made into a catalyst of long and overdue change. A footballer’s job is to focus on playing well for their club and country, but Sterling has attempted to fight racism by raising awareness using his huge fan base, successfully so. There seems to have been collective disgust and collective appraisal. There has been little beating about the bush and saying things such as: ‘Let’s have a debate about this,’ instead, there has been recognition of racism – no ifs or buts. What happened to Sterling has shined a light on the racism and discrimination that still mar football. A survey of 300 amateur sports clubs published in March by the antiracism organization Lycra highlighted 74 cases of racism, but the study’s authors acknowledged that the problem had become so common that episodes are often not reported. Given this negative phenomenon, education is pivotal to this change. Club chairmen and board members must be more proactive and take a zero tolerant approach to racism.
Some people will refuse to learn, of course, and refuse to change. They must be called out and banned from football. No one should feel comfortable venting racist abuse, whether from the stands or through media outlets. Much like how fans must call out other fans if they showed abusive behavior, journalists must call out colleagues who perpetuate divisive rhetoric. Name and shame them. Individuals showing solidarity and demanding certain standards are maintained can amount effective concerted action against racial bias in the media. Similar to the campaign the people of Liverpool have led against the Sun since that paper’s smearing of people around the Hillsborough disaster. Don’t read, click links or subscribe to any media organizations that peddle sinister untruths and stereotypes. This could be a solution to bring the end of the popularity of such negative narratives about black players in the press.
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