Tuesday 08 May, 2001
Pitch Black: Racism in Football
Football carries many scars. Violence, corruption and controversy have all walked hand-in-hand with 'the beautiful game' since it became much more than a pastime. And although great strides have been made to curb racism in football, especially over the last decade, prejudice continues to show its face.
In Racism In Football, David Coles, editor of the BBC World Service Sport, looks at racism in the game.
A Measure of Civilisation
In 1892, in an essay entitled The New Football Mania, Charles Edwardes wrote:
'The new football is a far more effectual arouser of the unregenerate passions of mankind than either a political gathering or a race meeting…It all depends upon the measure of civilisation in your locality, whether there is or is not a good deal of fighting after the match.'
On the whole, football has done much to varnish the tarnish. Racism continues to be a worldwide problem within society, not just football. But it appears to be gathering pace again in certain pockets of the game.
Tale of Disgrace
One of the most remarkable acts of racism in football concerns John Barnes, the former Watford, Liverpool and England winger. He shot to prominence in 1984, after scoring a wonder goal for England against Brazil at the Maracana Stadium to help earn a 2-0 win.
It was a sensational victory, which all true England fans should have celebrated.
Amazingly, a handful of English supporters claimed that they had only won 1-0. The goal by Barnes, regarded by many commentators as one of the greatest of all time, didn't count in their minds - simply because he is black.
It may not have come as too much of a shock to Barnes as, at that time, it was still de rigeur for racists to throw bananas at black footballers.
In a recent interview Barnes said:
| 'Racism is not only a problem in football, it's a problem in society. Until we tackle it in society, we can't tackle it in football...there is a directive to eject people from the grounds if they are making racist chants, so they keep quiet for 90 minutes, and then on Saturday night and for the rest of the week they're racist.' | |
In the 1970s, such was the scarcity of black players in Britain that West Bromwich Albion's three hugely talented players were known as the Three Degrees, after the female pop group.
Indeed, Ron Atkinson, then the WBA manager before he left for Manchester United and a host of other clubs, got Laurie Cunningham, Cyrille Regis and Brendan Batson to dress up as the singing trio as a publicity stunt. There was nothing malicious in this - Big Ron is one of the nicest and funniest guys in football.
Even now, racism is a problem. Les Ferdinand, the Tottenham and England striker, spoke just a few months ago about how racist hate mail almost made him quit.
Anti-Racist Initiatives
Recognition of widespread racism in the sport has led to the creation of anti-racist groups. These organisations lead campaigns to combat prejudice. Most of these are directed at youths and aim to increase an awareness of the multi-cultural and multi-racial societies people increasingly live in.
Two such groups are Fight Against Racism in Europe and Kick Racism Out Of Football. Another initiative, Show Racism The Red Card, offers an Internet site featuring interviews with football stars, who have been at the receiving end of racism.
One interview includes a conversation with Ryan Giggs, the Manchester United superstar. Asked if he had witnessed racism in school, he said:
| 'Yes, the odd bit, both in primary and secondary school. It's similar to bullying and as a young kid it affects your whole life. It's not nice when it's happening to you.' | |
Football In Italy
The level of racial abuse on football grounds in Italy is on the rise and some of the worst offenders follow the club Lazio. Factions among their supporters are assuming a reputation as being amongst the most intolerant in Europe.
Black players say they are regularly intimidated. In the past, Lazio supporters have unfurled racist banners and hurled abuse at players.
During a European Champions league match, held in 2000, the Arsenal and France midfielder Patrick Vieira was racially abused by a Lazio fan. Vieira said he won't return to an Italian club 'because of the intolerable atmosphere of racism.'
Emile Heskey, the Liverpool and England striker, also suffered racist taunts while playing against Italy in Turin.
If, 110-years on, we can still hear abuse hurled at footballers based on the colour of their skin or nationality, then football, as well as the rest of society, must try harder to rid itself of racism.
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| Research |
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In 2000, Researchers at Leeds Metropolitan University published an alarming report on racism in amateur football.
The report said every black or Asian player interviewed had suffered verbal abuse, which went unpunished by the game's governing bodies.
The university interviewed players from more than 2,000 clubs in West Yorkshire, UK. |
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| Tackling Racism |
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In 1998, the charity Show Racism The Red Card enlisted the help of several Scottish footballing heroes to kickstart a scheme designed to tackle racist attitudes.
The charity launched a video showing Martin O'Neill, Henrik Larsson, Craig Brown, Andy Cole and Kevin Gallacher speaking out against racism in the game.
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