Racism is one of the strongest issues which has been present as an underlying current in European football since many years now. Segregation on the basis of race or more specifically colour of the skin has raised its ugly head in the world of football across Europe.
Racism in British football started in the 1970’s, when footballers from different ethnic backgrounds were racially abused by the crowd by singing racist songs or verbally abusing the players. A group called as National Front motivated this behaviour further through their magazine “Bulldog” which was sold at football grounds. A competition called as “most racist ground in Britain" was organized by them. Chelsea, Arsenal, West Ham, Newcastle United, Leeds United, etc had a strong number of racist elements in their fan base.
In the 90’s, movements such as “Kick Racism Out Of Football’ were brought in which slowly eradicated racism out of English football. As of now the problem of Racism is much better in UK, but it still persists in other countries in Europe.
Spain has been a country where many racist incidents have taken place in the recent past. The match between England and Spain, which took place at the Bernabeu in Madrid, had many segments of the crowd making monkey like noises whenever England winger Shaun Wright Phillips got a touch on the ball. The monkey chants were so obvious that it could even be heard on television sets across the globe. In an U-21 football match incident, Glenn Johnson, Carlton Cole and Darren Bent were also tormented with racist slurs. Spain’s national coach Luis Aragones was recorded on camera motivating Jose Reyes by making racist comments on French striker Thierry Henry. Aragones was recorded saying: “Show that you’re better than that shitty black guy”. The Spanish FA did not take any action in these matters but UEFA imposed a heavy fine on the FA.
An incident which took place in club football in Spain saw Samuel Eto being racially insulted in a match which featured Barcelona and Real Zaragoza. Samuel Eto was the target of yet another monkey chants which led him to almost walking off the pitch. The Cameroon International was convinced by his team mates to continue in the match and later went on to score. Interestingly the celebration which followed the striker’s goal saw Eto dancing like a monkey. The incident led to the Spanish FA fining Zaragoza for a measly sum of 600 euros.
In other incidents, racism has also been seen in countries like France and Germany. Parc De Princes in France has seen many events of monkey chanting targeted at black players. Players from African origin are subjected to racism on a weekly basis in countries like Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania with bananas being thrown at them during play.
Former England International Sol Campbell has been racially harassed and abused by Spurs fans ever since he left ‘White’ Hart Lane and joined bitter rivals Arsenal.
Some of the racial chats against Sol Campbell:
“Sol, Sol, wherever you may be, You’re on the verge of lunacy, and we don’t give a f*** if you’re hanging from a tree, you Judas c*** with HIV”
“He’s big, he’s black, he takes it up the crack, Sol Campbell, Sol Campbell.”
It is very unfortunate to see footballers being subjected to ugly elements like racism. The sport should remain a sport, and a petty matter of a player’s race should not be dragged into it. After all, football is the world’s most beautiful game.
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