Stop this Racism in football

Racism has been one of the largest issues that have continuously surfaced since ages. The period of the Renaissance and Reformation was a binding factor when racism spread after Europe’s and America’s contact with Africa. The 19th century was an age of several structural changes. It was an age where ideological racism intensified. Dominated groups in Europe tried to exclude, dominate and eradicate ‘Black people’. Since then even in the 21st century, racism prevails in large extent and has been a constant presence. It has affected sports and especially football. Major European countries have seen fans racially abuse players over the decades and there is a time now to say enough is enough!

The latest incident surrounding Manchester City’s, midfielder, Yaya Toure has intensified and there have been widespread furore against Russia. Manchester City visited CSKA Moscow in the Champion’s League match day three, which the visitors won 2-1. Yaya Toure claimed he was racially abused when fans called him ‘Black Monkey’. Later on after the match, the Ivory Coast international threatened that African players might decide to boycott the 2018 Fifa World Cup, to be held in Russia. When asked whether a boycott was still possible now, Toure replied “We are not here yet.” He added, “Let FIFA and UEFA do their work.” CSKA Moscow have denied Toure’s claims, citing the footage of the match doesn’t show any racial slurs. The UEFA who had opened an investigation against the Russian club, found them guilty and charged them with partial disclosure of the stadium.

Russia along with major European nations especially Italy, has been subjected to racism. The hatred still prevails amongst its people and the sufferers are the Black players who constitute major part of the football clubs in Europe’s premier competitions and leagues. So if the African players decide to implement a harsher stance of boycotting the World Cup in Russia, it risks the entire world of football. There are several factors that exist and to what can lead. There are measures implemented and there is a change needed with more acuteness.

* An entire fleet of nations in Africa will miss the World Cup. Just when the FIFA have proposed to have 40 teams participating in Russia, there will be fewer teams present. A World Cup without major countries is something unbelievable to think about. With 5 years until the next World Cup from now after Brazil’s 2014 WC, the FIFA and UEFA will have to tackle this darkness of racism in a newer approach. If countries boycott, the entire competition might get cancelled, owing to millions of money wasted as preparation in Russia have already taken under-course. For Russia the Toure incident once again highlights the racism problem football faces there, it raises further questions of the suitability of hosting the World Cup there.

WHAT FOR THE UEFA?

a) If UEFA find CSKA Moscow guilty it will lead to partial closure of their stadium. This similar thing has been seen in Italy recently. Even with the presence of stewards and police in the grounds, one cannot stop fans from chanting racist comments. The UEFA have taken measures and reinforced its stands in tackling racism. They along with the player’s body FIFPro have started campaigns. The governing body has forged a partnership with Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) which comprises groups working against intolerance. Recently a no-to-racism pennant is being passed between players in Champions League matches before the match. There are No to Racism banners too being displayed.

b) UEFA is planning to come up with stricter measures of eliminating teams from competitions and deduct points of teams whose fans are seen chanting racial remarks. The area of concern lies in the fact that not the entire section of crowds is racial, so implementation of bans and closures of stadiums will affect everyone in picture. But will it solve the issue, is the question.

ITALIAN BACKDROP

Racist abuse has provided serious incidents in Italy over two decades. Black footballers have been subjected to racism since 1992 in Serie A’s top plight. In recent times players like Kevin Prince Boateng and Mario Balotelli have faced the agony of ‘Monkey chants’. In Italy fans from major clubs have been present in such chants. In 2009 Mario Balotelli when playing for Inter Milan was racially abused by Juventus fans at the San Siro. The punishment was a one-match ban for Juve’s fans. 2013 saw the ghosts of racism take a new light in Italy.

Former AC Milan forward, Kevin Prince Boateng was subjected to racial chants against him and three other teammates in a friendly match against a fourth-tier side. Boateng kicked the ball to the stands and walked away with his teammates in the middle of the game. Mario Balotelli again was in the picture, this time playing for AC Milan against AS Roma. The Roma fans targeted the striker throughout the match. There were racial chants in a friendly game between Italy and Spain in 2012 too.

Reports suggest there have been more than 100 odd incidents in Italy over the last six years. Since early 1990’s curves of stadiums have been occupied by neo-Nazi and neo-Fascist groups who dictate what song is to be sung and everyone follows them. No clubs in Italy have clear cut anti-racist strategy.Other European countries like Russia (especially in Zenit), Serbia, England amongst many others have seen racism take place over the years.

OTHER INCIDENTS

It’s just not the fans who abuse players. In 2011, Liverpool forward Luis Suarez racially abused Manchester United left back, Patrice Evra. Though Suarez claimed he didn’t abuse Evra, the FA in their investigation found the forward guilty and slapped him with an eight-match ban. Players stood by Suarez and so did his team owing to his mixed race family background.In another incident in the Premier League, then Chelsea skipper John Terry was alleged to have racially abused QPR player Anton Ferdinand. A video footage circulated showing Terry abusing Ferdinand. Terry refused such claims. The FA published a 63-page report and charged Terry with racism abuse banning him for four matches.

WHAT CAN BE DONE

Educating the masses is one factor that can help stop racism. Implementation of stringent measures holds the key. New methods in reaching out wide to people and targeting groups that promotes such hatred, and hitting them hard would be crucial.