Stop making excuses for racism
Published:Friday | November 8, 2013 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Racism in football is a very real and serious issue. Specifically, the issue of racist chants directed at black players has been a vexing problem and one that FIFA and its affiliates have been trying to stamp out of the sport.
Unfortunately, there are those who do not see it as a problem and think that it is a non-issue and that the affected players are simply being thin-skinned. Their argument is that, since these players are making millions of dollars, they should not be affected by these racist chants. I disagree.
The idea that a player should somehow be immune to racism or racist chants simply because he is making millions of dollars is absolutely absurd. It suggests a lack of empathy and understanding of the seriousness of the issue and also ignores the fact that these players are human beings first, and that they deserve the right to work in an environment free from racial abuse. It is also irresponsible because it tacitly supports racism.
I do not accept the notion that any fan at a football match has the right to shout racial slurs at players in order to 'throw them off their game', under the guise of supporting their team. Racism is racism. These so-called fans are simply hiding behind the crowd because they think that they can get away with their racist behaviour. They should be held accountable and sanctioned where possible.
What those who support this type of racist display should understand is that, for the 90 minutes or so that these players are on the field enduring this abuse, it's like they are trapped. They cannot just simply ignore it or walk away from their job, which is what it is. The constant racist chanting is bound to affect them and also their performance on the field. In fact, some players have been known to walk off the field because they could not take the abuse any longer. A case in point: Samuel Eto'o, a five-time African Player of the Year had to walk off the field in 2006 because he could no longer bear the racial abuse of the Spanish fans.
There are many other instances of this type of abuse in football and other professional sports which persist despite efforts to stop it. However, it is time to present a united front against racism in sports and support the players.
ROYSTON BROWN