Football has always been a sport that transcends boundaries and brings people together from all walks of life. However, there has been a growing concern about racism in the sport, and players and clubs alike have taken a stand to combat this issue.
Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) was established in 1999 as a pan-European network of anti-discrimination non-governmental organizations, football supporters, and players. FARE aims to promote a commitment to equality and respect for diversity in football, both on and off the pitch.
One of the most notable instances of racism in football was the abuse suffered by English and Manchester United striker, Marcus Rashford, in the aftermath of Euro 2020. Rashford, along with fellow England teammates Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, missed crucial penalties in the final against Italy, leading to online abuse and racism.
The abuse of Rashford led to an outpouring of support from fans and fellow players alike. Raheem Sterling, another England player, wrote on Instagram: “To all the social media platforms Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. I don’t think you understand the magnitude of [the] racism you’re creating. It’s not just footballers on the receiving end. We have seen our players.”
Players have also taken a stand against racism by protesting and boycotting games. In October 2019, England’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Bulgaria was stopped twice due to racist chanting from the Bulgarian fans. England players, including captain Harry Kane, discussed walking off the pitch in protest.
However, the team decided to continue playing, and England went on to win 6-0. The match was a turning point for UEFA, who charged Bulgaria with racism and ordered them to play two games behind closed doors.
Football clubs have also taken a stand. In May 2021, Scottish champions Rangers boycotted all social media for a week due to the ongoing abuse and harassment directed towards their players. In a statement, the club said: “We stand together with every football club and every individual who has had to endure such disgraceful and unacceptable abuse.”
Similarly, English Premier League club Swansea City and Championship club Birmingham City have also boycotted social media due to online abuse towards their players.
In addition, football organizations have taken measures to combat racism. In December 2020, FARE launched the “Football People Action Weeks,” a two-week period of action across Europe focused on tackling discrimination, racism and promoting diversity and inclusion.
During this period, clubs and players promote diversity and inclusion by wearing t-shirts, armbands, and displaying banners with anti-racism messages. The action weeks have been widely supported by top-tier clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal, and FC Barcelona.
UEFA has also implemented sanctions for racism and discrimination in football. Fines, points deductions, and stadium bans are some of the measures used to prevent and deter racist behavior among fans and players.
One player who is actively involved in the fight against racism is Liverpool and England defender, Trent Alexander-Arnold. In 2020, he launched the “Trent Alexander-Arnold Foundation,” which aims to support underprivileged and vulnerable young people in the Liverpool community.
The foundation also supports charities that tackle issues such as racism and poverty. Alexander-Arnold has spoken out against racism in football, stating that “football will always be part of the bigger picture of society, and we need to make sure that we tackle the issues head-on.”
Football is a sport that brings people together, and its power to unite is immense. However, racism in football has become a scourge on the game. Players, clubs, and organizations have taken a stand against racism and discrimination, and this fight must continue.
While progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to ensure that football remains a sport for all, irrespective of race, gender, or background. The fight against racism in football must continue, and it is up to the entire football community to make a change.