Black History Month: Showing a red card to racism
Ubuntu Thoughts / Article / 6 min read
October 20, 2022
Jaz Newberry
Account Manager
Account Manager
With only one month to go until the World Cup and as we reflect on Black History Month, I wanted to highlight some of the historic and present footballing icons who have made history within the sport and around the world.
Whilst not everyone is a fan, it’s fair to say that the footballing world has a huge influence on society in general and when things are going well — particularly for the national squad — it brings people of all interests, backgrounds, and creeds together. As we know all too well however, that sense of togetherness is not permanent and there remains a lot to be changed to help counter the ingrained negativity that many players, clubs and fans face on a daily basis.
Turmoil around the Euros 2020
At the last major tournament back in the summer of 2021, the England men’s team made their way to their first major final in over 50 years, where they narrowly lost to Italy on penalties, 3-2. An incredible feat given the last major trophy win for the team was the 1966 World Cup final – years before any of the current squad were even born.
But the anger of the loss wasn’t shared equally across the team, but instead was pinned on three young black footballers: Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jaden Sancho, each of whom had missed their respective penalties in the shoot-out that lost the game. What unravelled within the world of football over the next few days, weeks and even months was nothing short of horrendous. Football fans — sadly, mainly from our own country — are known for reacting poorly to losses, however the sheer level of blatant racism and abuse after the summer tournament was on another level.
Following the final, the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) received more than 600 reports of online racist comments made towards England’s black players. 207 complaints were labelled as being “criminal in nature” which resulted in 11 arrests following support from social media companies to find the perpetrators. Despite the action taken by the authorities, a survey conducted by YouGov in August 2021 revealed that 62% of match-attending fans fear a player will be racially abused; 60% feel racism sanctions aren't harsh enough, and 73% of ethnically diverse fans planning to visit a stadium are concerned about racist abuse.
Out of the darkness has come some light, however. The vast majority of football fans up and down the nation wanted to come out and show their support and respect, not only for Rashford, Saka and Sancho, but also for black communities around the world and within football who had inadvertently become a target for abuse.
Murals of the three young Lions appeared across the country, fans of the players' respective home clubs (and even rival clubs) came flooding in — especially when the league kicked off again later that summer — and educational materials and awareness campaigns became more popular across the country.
That following season, nine players from black and ethnic minority backgrounds went on to make the top 20 in the premier league top goal scorers table. Among them was Bukayo Saka.
It also feels like there is finally some progress on the pitch for black players too. 43% of players in the Premier League in 2021 were black, as were 34% of players across the next three divisions that make up the top 92 clubs in the men’s English football game. Globally, within the top 8 highest earners in the world, two players are from black and ethnic minority backgrounds — including the highest earner, French footballer Kylian Mbappé, whose father is from Cameroon.
But on the sidelines, there is still a serious lack of equality, with only 4.4% of managerial positions with professional playing experience being held by black people.
But the anger of the loss wasn’t shared equally across the team, but instead was pinned on three young black footballers: Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jaden Sancho, each of whom had missed their respective penalties in the shoot-out that lost the game. What unravelled within the world of football over the next few days, weeks and even months was nothing short of horrendous. Football fans — sadly, mainly from our own country — are known for reacting poorly to losses, however the sheer level of blatant racism and abuse after the summer tournament was on another level.
Following the final, the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) received more than 600 reports of online racist comments made towards England’s black players. 207 complaints were labelled as being “criminal in nature” which resulted in 11 arrests following support from social media companies to find the perpetrators. Despite the action taken by the authorities, a survey conducted by YouGov in August 2021 revealed that 62% of match-attending fans fear a player will be racially abused; 60% feel racism sanctions aren't harsh enough, and 73% of ethnically diverse fans planning to visit a stadium are concerned about racist abuse.
Out of the darkness has come some light, however. The vast majority of football fans up and down the nation wanted to come out and show their support and respect, not only for Rashford, Saka and Sancho, but also for black communities around the world and within football who had inadvertently become a target for abuse.
Murals of the three young Lions appeared across the country, fans of the players' respective home clubs (and even rival clubs) came flooding in — especially when the league kicked off again later that summer — and educational materials and awareness campaigns became more popular across the country.
That following season, nine players from black and ethnic minority backgrounds went on to make the top 20 in the premier league top goal scorers table. Among them was Bukayo Saka.
It also feels like there is finally some progress on the pitch for black players too. 43% of players in the Premier League in 2021 were black, as were 34% of players across the next three divisions that make up the top 92 clubs in the men’s English football game. Globally, within the top 8 highest earners in the world, two players are from black and ethnic minority backgrounds — including the highest earner, French footballer Kylian Mbappé, whose father is from Cameroon.
But on the sidelines, there is still a serious lack of equality, with only 4.4% of managerial positions with professional playing experience being held by black people.
Taking action and making changes
Questions still remain. What can we do both in the footballing community and wider society, to make sure that those 73% of ethnically diverse fans that plan to visit a stadium but are concerned about racist abuse, feel safe? What can we do to eliminate the abuse players receive? And what can be done to provide more managerial opportunities for black managers?
With the World Cup coming up in Qatar in a month’s time, I think fans need to take the opportunity to have those awkward but necessary conversations with fellow fans, friends and family on the topic and stand up and call out abuse when they see it to ensure that any supporting of any colour, race, or nation are made to feel safe and welcome.
FIFA have released the measures they’ve put in place to ensure the fight against discrimination is front and centre of the game. These measures include:
In 1993, an anti-racism campaign called “Kick It Out” was launched. The campaign, which is still running today, was designed to help improve the sport by raising awareness and confronting issues and supports the diversity inclusion strategies of the Premier League, The FA and the PFA. Kick It Out has made huge progress in leading the way for positive change, most noticeably through its reporting line and education.
Education programmes are run for academy players, parents and fans and support is given to individuals that come from under-represented and minority communities to help them make a career in football where they can make a difference. In recent years, the Premier League has also launched and invested in positive action programmes and schemes that specifically target coaches from underrepresented groups.
Being a lifelong football fan is something that has made me feel part of a community, as well as bringing me closer to my family and friends — irrespective of who they support. It seems clear to me that by now, we should have created an environment where our black brothers and sisters feel just as part of that community as I do; a place they can feel safe, supported and appreciated.
There is no place for racism in football, and those who perpetrate it have no place in our crowds, stadiums or community.
With the World Cup coming up in Qatar in a month’s time, I think fans need to take the opportunity to have those awkward but necessary conversations with fellow fans, friends and family on the topic and stand up and call out abuse when they see it to ensure that any supporting of any colour, race, or nation are made to feel safe and welcome.
FIFA have released the measures they’ve put in place to ensure the fight against discrimination is front and centre of the game. These measures include:
- Tailor-made diversity and anti-discrimination training for each target group: match officials, security personnel (stewards, etc), food & beverage staff, hospitality staff, volunteers.
- Intercultural awareness and anti-discrimination guidance for participants and attendees.
- Awareness raising with participating member associations.
- Grievance mechanism for participants and attendees.
- Procedure for discriminatory incidents including reactive and proactive stadium announcement and the three-step procedure.
- Anti-discrimination monitoring system with anti-discrimination match observers at all matches.
In 1993, an anti-racism campaign called “Kick It Out” was launched. The campaign, which is still running today, was designed to help improve the sport by raising awareness and confronting issues and supports the diversity inclusion strategies of the Premier League, The FA and the PFA. Kick It Out has made huge progress in leading the way for positive change, most noticeably through its reporting line and education.
Education programmes are run for academy players, parents and fans and support is given to individuals that come from under-represented and minority communities to help them make a career in football where they can make a difference. In recent years, the Premier League has also launched and invested in positive action programmes and schemes that specifically target coaches from underrepresented groups.
Being a lifelong football fan is something that has made me feel part of a community, as well as bringing me closer to my family and friends — irrespective of who they support. It seems clear to me that by now, we should have created an environment where our black brothers and sisters feel just as part of that community as I do; a place they can feel safe, supported and appreciated.
There is no place for racism in football, and those who perpetrate it have no place in our crowds, stadiums or community.
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If you're looking to make a change in how you market your business, we'd love to chat. Find out more.
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