In the world of football, race relations have been a topic of discussion for many years. From the early days of the sport, when black players were not allowed to play in certain leagues, to modern times where players are taking a knee during the national anthem as a form of protest against racial inequality, it is clear that this issue is still prevalent in today’s society.
Football has come a long way since its inception. The first recorded game was played between two English schools in 1863 and over time it grew into one of the most popular sports worldwide. However, during its early days, football was predominantly played by white men and women. It wasn’t until much later that black players began to emerge on the scene.
One such player was Arthur Wharton who made his debut for Darlington FC in 1885. He became known as one of the fastest goalkeepers around and even set a new record for sprinting at an athletics meeting held at Stamford Bridge in London in 1886. Despite his achievements on the field, he faced racism from both fans and other players alike.
The situation remained bleak throughout much of the 20th century with many clubs refusing to sign black players due to their race or nationality. It wasn’t until after World War II that things began to change with more black soldiers returning home having fought for their country overseas.
In England during this period there was also an influx of immigrants from Commonwealth countries which increased pressure on clubs to start signing these talented young men who had grown up playing football back home.
However, despite progress being made it would be decades before racism would be eradicated from all levels of football.
Fast forward to present day and we can see some positive changes as well as continued struggles.
One example is Raheem Sterling – Manchester City’s star forward – who has become an outspoken advocate for anti-racism efforts within football. In December 2019 he spoke out against the way black players are portrayed in the media saying “I just want to see equality throughout all aspects of life, it should be no different in sport”.
Another positive development is that the English Premier League’s No Room for Racism campaign which launched in 2019. The initiative was created to highlight and tackle discrimination, particularly towards people of color.
However, there have also been recent incidents that prove racism still has a foothold within football.
In October 2019 Bulgaria fans were heard making monkey chants as England played them in a Euro 2020 qualifier. This led to the game being stopped twice and the Bulgarian Football Union receiving sanctions from UEFA.
Similarly, Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger alleged he was racially abused by Tottenham Hotspur fans during their match on December 22nd of the same year. Although an investigation was launched by Spurs, no evidence could be found to support his claims.
The issue of race relations within football is complex and multifaceted with many factors contributing to its ongoing existence. However, steps can be taken towards eradicating this problem once and for all.
One such step would be for clubs to take a zero-tolerance approach towards racist behavior from both fans and players alike. It is important for clubs to set an example that shows they will not tolerate any form of discriminatory behavior whether on or off the pitch.
Another crucial aspect is education; educating players about diversity and inclusion will help create an environment where everyone feels comfortable playing football regardless of their background or ethnicity.
Finally, it is essential that governing bodies like FIFA ensure they are taking strong action against those who engage in racist behavior both on and off the pitch. A more proactive approach needs to be taken if we hope to create lasting change within football culture as well as society at large.
In conclusion, while progress has been made over time regarding race relations within football there is still much work left to do. With continued efforts from players, clubs and governing bodies alike we can hopefully create a future where football is a truly inclusive sport for all.