Greetings,
For years, racism has been the thorn in the side of football - domestic, and international.
The remedies that are on offer amount to a band-aid to cover a deep lacerated wound which can provide no healing to the injury at all. The players who experience racial abuse on or off the pitch from other players, or from the supporters in the stands, are presumably supposed to 'take it on the chin' as it is a part of the cut and thrust of the game, and is, in effect, a reflection of society and the world at large. So it is acceptable, as long as, so far, there is no threat to life.
The fact that the racially abused player is offended, and sometimes feels compelled to defend him/herself, as they feel deeply wounded by offensive remarks, chants, or by objects thrown onto the pitch which symbolize him/her with a particular animal, pales into insignificance because their response is seen as an unnecessary disruption of the game, and therefore they should just shut-up and get on with playing.
If legal action is taken by the player, the court of public opinion has already decided his/her fate. If the football authority takes action with imposed sanctions, it makes no difference to the offender but only creates a small hole in their pocket in terms of a substantial fine. It
inconveniences the team when the offender is banned for several games, or temporarily reduces the income of the club when the supporters are banned from attending a match(s) because of grossly unruly behaviour. Overall, no matter which way you take it, the punitive sanctions laid down by FIFA and Football Associations are an ineffective sham, and does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to reduce, never mind eradicate, racism from the sport of football.
Why you may ask?
MONEY is football, and football is MONEY.
Everything else is secondary. This is why racism in football or any other sport is a sideline issue and will only be patched over, so as not to undermine what is really at stake here - MONEY, LOVELY MONEY.
This is why, people, no real progress will ever be made on the contentious issue of racism in sport.
What I say next will certainly incur the wrath of many a football player, but the fact is footballers are a commodity to be bought and sold - MONEY! They are compensated for their skill - MONEY! The supporters go to the matches to watch their team play - MONEY! Players are bought for their skill not their skin colour - MONEY!
So in the midst of all this MONEY mindset, the non-white player, to be specific, the mixed race, and black player, is expected to put up with racist remarks, chants, banana throwing, and any other disgraceful act, either by the unenlightened player, or the ignorant supporters in the stands because he is just a commodity, and an easy target because of his/her colour.
What a world, eh?
Can't say that I don't enjoy watching a good game of football. I just hate some of the garbage that comes dished up with it.
I hope that if any non-white professional football players read this post, it will help them to strategize and think how best to deal with this contentious and vexing issue called RACISM in football. Be consoled that you are not the first to experience it, and you will certainly not be the last. By the looks of things it is set to remain in football, forgive me Lord to say this, until HE breaks the cloud and comes with his angels. Get the gist?
Chin up guys and gals!
It's all about the M-O-N-E-Y!!!!!!!
Peace
Grace
