On The Wing

Racism is ruining the game of football day by day, so many players suffered racism when the players, officials and fans abused because of their skin colour, nationality or ethnicity.

As per survey conducted by sky sports (YouGov) reveals 62 per cent of match-attending fans fear a player will be racially abused; 60 per cent feel racism sanctions aren’t harsh enough; 73 per cent of ethnically diverse fans planning to visit a stadium are concerned about racist abuse.

In response to racist incidents at association football matches, in May 2013, FIFA, the international governing body of association football, announced new measures to deal with racism in the sport. Still one can see racist action going on and off the pitch.

In April 2019, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said referees should stop games if a racist incident occurs, whilst FIFA President Gianni Infantino called for “harsh sanctions” to deal with racism in the sport.

Also in April 2019 the Professional Footballer’s Association launched a social media campaign to make a stand against racial abuse calling upon social media organizations and the game’s authorities to take action against racism.

“The Fare network” (formerly Football Against Racism in Europe) is a network set up to counter discrimination in European football. The network was set up in Vienna, Austria, in February 1999 after a meeting of football supporters’ groups, football players’ unions and football associations. The network has received backing from the European governing body UEFA, FIFA and the European Commission for its aims.

“Up Speak Up” a Europe-wide campaign that was launched in January 2005 by the French football player Thierry Henry following an increase in reports of racist incidents in football across Europe. The campaign started when the former Spanish footballer Luis Aragonés, at this time coach of Spain national team, said these words towards his player and Henry’s Arsenal teammate, José Antonio Reyes: “You will show this black shit (Thierry Henry) that you´re better than him”. It led to Nike creating the “Stand Up Speak Up” campaign. Together with Nike and other top European players like Rio Ferdinand and Carles Puyol, the protests against this continuing problem inviting football fans to voice their opposition to racism.