Racism in Football in Sheffield - Essay Example

Racism in Football in Sheffield, UK Table of Contents Introduction 3 Research Aim and Objectives 3 Research Objectives 3 Discussion of the Data 4 Discussion of the Data Retrieved from Interviews 4 Discussion of the Results Perceived from Questionnaire Survey 4 Discussion of the Themes Developed from the Primary Data 12 Racist Behavior Takes Place between Football Players 12 Changes in Racist Behavior in Recent Years 13 Influence of Racism On and Off the Football Pitch 13 Measures in Controlling and Eliminating Racism in Football 14 Summary of Key Findings 15 Role of Media 15 Control Authorities 16 Role of Campaigns 16 References 17 Bibliography 19 Introduction Racism in football is deemed to be a crucial focused area due to various perceptual gaps persists in cultural differences within the world’s most famous game i.e. football which keeps uniting people from different colour or racial backgrounds (Authority of the House of Commons, 2012; Cook, 2009). Emphasising the current notion of the issue regarding racism in football, there lay number of key factors that define a mixed result of the issue of racism in football within Sheffield, the UK. Research Aim and Objectives Racism in football, especially in the European nations, has been gaining a wider attention due to major allegations as well as criticism associated with racial discrimination amid different football clubs in the UK (Jones & Smith, 2011; Bebber, 2008). Therefore, the aim of this research study is to critically evaluate the issue of racism in football in Sheffield, UK with extracting and discussing four particular themes from the collected primary data. Research Objectives In order to attain the aforesaid aim, the discussion of the data incorporates a set of objectives relating to different research areas associated with the issue of racism in football in Sheffield, UK. These objectives have been clearly elaborated in the following: Gathering relevant data and information from different primary along with secondary sources Critically evaluating primary data that have been collected from the data collection techniques of questionnaire survey and interview Evaluating data and clearly illustrating results to determine the issue of racism in football in Sheffield, UK Conducting critical discussion of the findings and four major themes that have been perceived from the data assessment works Discussion of the Data Discussion of the Data Retrieved from Interviews In relation to the interview process conducted for retrieving data from male, football supporter/players aged 26 years, the questions have been structured in light with the key aims and objectives of the study. According to the data revealed from the primary data collection technique, the process of conducting interview with male individuals was highly aimed with investigating their attitudes in the Sheffield area towards the football matches, specifically on racism aspect and its impact on the sport. In this context, the interview questions have been developed by strong compliance with ethical codes and also eliminating such perceptions that might raise personal interests or any sort of racial discrimination. Discussion of the Results Perceived from Questionnaire Survey The questionnaire survey for this research study was conducted with the participation of total 200 respondents who were mainly the supporters, viewers and the players associated with British football of Sheffield. The results obtained from the questionnaire survey thus reflected valuable facts about the issue of racism in Sheffield football. According to the data revealed from the questionnaire survey, majority of the participants i.e. 70.3% of the total 135 respondents are likely to watch football matches on televisions. Whereas, 22.9% are regular attendees and 46.4% are likely to attend football matches on time to time manner. The following chart represents the results that have been perceived from the survey about the number of attendees in the football matches in Sheffield. The survey of the data collected from primary survey process also represented that 83.9% of the respondents were usually informed about the conduct of football matches from different television channels. Moreover, the other media sources such as webpages and social media sites were also used to inform people about football matches as 69.8% and 75.0% respectively. The following illustration represents the role of different media sources that were used to keep informed to the people about different football matches held in Sheffield, UK: In terms of identifying and characterising problems, the data collection process also revealed that 56.2% i.e. 108 numbers of the total respondents were agreed with the perception or belief that issues associated with racism in football usually take place amongst the supporters. On the other hand, 52.7% i.e. 98 of the total respondents opined that the problems associated with racism in football are recognised only amongst the players in the matches. A clear illustration about the above explained data has been represented hereunder. Based on the assessment results gained from the primary data, maximum number of the respondents i.e. 33.5% of the total participants agreed that the issue associated with racism in football has decreased over the preceding five years. However, 28.8% of such respondents agreed that the problem of racism in football still remains the same as similar to the players and the supporters were used to face prior to five years. A clear picture about the growth of racism in British football has been illustrated below. In the context of identifying personal experience, the survey data obtained from questionnaire depicted that 80.7% i.e. 151 of the total number of participants responded that the problem or the issue of racism in football is evolved through general media reports. On the other hand, 56% i.e. 103 and 53.6% i.e. 98 of the total respondents were observed to become familiarised with the issue through their personal experience at the football matches and also having conversations with their respective family members, friends and other community members. On a further note, it was also observed from the survey data that 74.3% i.e. 136 of the total respondents became aware with the racism issue in football through different social media sites. The following illustration provides a clear representation about the data obtained relating to the above stated context: In relation to determine the influence of media on people views about racism in football, 49.5% i.e. 95 of the total participants agreed that the issue of racism in football has major influence on the communities. Correspondingly, 44.8% i.e. 86 of the total respondents just stated that media played pervasive roles on people views about racism in football in Sheffield, UK. According to the following depicted chart, the influence of racism can be critically assessed. With regards to the influence of the issue, the respondents also provided a clear idea about the roles as well as the behaviours of media in terms of reporting or representing racism in the British football. According to the survey data, 31.2% i.e. 60 out of the total number of participants believed that the media provides usually a balanced representation of the issue. On the other hand, 25.5% i.e. 49 and 22.9% i.e. 44 respondents stated that the facts being presented in the media reports about racism in football were often treated as unfair and sensational. The data results obtained in this context have been represented in the form of a chart depicted below. According to the survey data obtained from the questionnaire method, 49.5% i.e. 95 out of the total respondents believed that racist behaviours in the football matches do not effectively dealt with the authorities. On the other hand, 31.2% i.e. 60 out of the total respondents have stated their agreement that the authoritative associations effectively deal with the issue of racism in football. Clear illustration of the data regarding the role of appropriate authority in controlling on the field racism has been provided hereunder. In relation to the data obtained from the questionnaire survey, 45.3% i.e. 87 out of the total number of respondents disagreed regarding the possibility to control racist behaviour at football matches. On the other hand, 41.7% i.e. 80 of the total respondents believed that racism in football can be controlled in the UK. The results have been illustrated through the depiction of a tabular illustration below. In terms of controlling racism in football in Sheffield, UK, 80.7% i.e. 155 out of the entire respondents were familiarised with the role of ‘Kick It Out’ campaign. On the other hand, 19.3% i.e. 37 of such respondents are not familiarised with the name or aim of ‘Kick It Out’ campaigns. The results obtained in this survey question have been represented through the following chart: Based on the results revealed from the survey data, it can be found that 55.2% i.e. 85 of the total number of respondents remained much clear about the aim of Kick It Out campaigns to control racism in football in Sheffield, UK. However, in the context of the achievements derived from the conduct of such campaigns, 38.7% i.e. 60 out of the total number of respondents were not sure about the achievement of the activities conducted by ‘Kick It Out ’campaigns. The results depicting the same have been provided in detail in the form of the following tabular representation: Based on the current phenomenon, 84.8% i.e. 162 numbers of the total respondents were not aware about ‘Kick It Out’ campaigns while controlling racism in football in Sheffield, UK. The results obtained relating to this question can be better understood from the following depicted table. In order to assess the impact of racism in football in Sheffield, UK, 51.3% i.e. 98 out of the total respondents believed that racist behaviour in football in the region has damaged the image of the sport. On the other hand, 35.1% i.e. 67 of such respondents provided negative viewpoints and 13.6% i.e. 26 of them were not sure about the impacts of racist behaviour in football in terms of damaging the image of the sport. The results obtained relating to the above question has been represented through the following chart: In accordance with the data obtained from the questionnaire survey, 49.5% i.e. 95 of the total number of respondents believed that racism incidents in football have not discouraged many people from attending football matches. On the other hand, 33.3% i.e. 64 of such respondents affirmed that racism in football has substantially discouraged many people from attending football matches. This can be better understood from the following portrayed tabular representation: Discussion of the Themes Developed from the Primary Data Racist Behavior Takes Place between Football Players The people aged 26 years to whom the interview has been conducted provided their viewpoints as a viewer in various football events that took place within Sheffield, UK. Majority of the interviewees admitted to the fact that racist behaviour amid the players has emerged in recent phenomenon. With regards to the interview results, a few of the major instances of the players associated with racism related issue could be reckoned as Anelka (with his anti-Semite goal celebration), Suarez racism against Evra and John Terry’s racism against Anton Ferdinand. The interviewees had remarked their understanding during the football matches conducted in Sheffield, UK. In addition, the interview results also represented the fact that the team players belonging to dissimilar cultural backgrounds without having appropriate knowledge about the prevailing culture are more likely to get involved into the issues associated with race and ethnicity. According to the viewpoints of the interviewees, the factors that are duly considered to be acceptable in one specific country might not get treated under the same in any other nation such as England in this case. In this regard, the players from different global regions should possess responsibilities to maintain cultural beliefs and hold positive perceptions about the same in Sheffield accordingly. Changes in Racist Behavior in Recent Years In terms of controlling racist behaviour of the football players, the interviewees have also recommended that taking hard line decisions by improving investigation process of the Football Associations can minimise any future instance related to the aforesaid concern. In relation to the recent football event industry in England, the results have clearly identified a dissimilar viewpoint about the perceptions drawn during the twentieth century relating to the racism of football in Sheffield or any other parts in Europe. In this context, the viewpoints of the interviewers regarding the level of severity in British football depicted that different campaigns and initiatives have been designed to curtail the issue of racism in football in the stated region of the nation. Based on their viewpoints about racism in British football, it is to be affirmed that organising campaigns over the preceding few years have radically eradicated racism in British football (Back & et. al., 2001). Few of the major campaigns that have improved British football include "Lets Kick Racism out of Football Campaign", "Show Racism the Red Card" and "Football Unites, Racism Divides." The interviewees also stated that during the earlier decades, the image of British football had undergone through major challenges in the context of racial remarks amidst the players. However, in recent era, Sheffield has become one of the most harmonised places with equal and higher value about multicultural and racial discrimination related issues. Influence of Racism On and Off the Football Pitch With due regards to the final opinions obtained from the interview, it can be critically stated that emphasising total equality in the British football certainly increased the participation of the local members along with minorities within the communities within Sheffield and other European cities. For instance, Preston Football club was highly emphasised by the interviewees in the context of increasing participation of local community members in the football clubs. According to the viewpoints of the interviewees, participation of the local community members especially from minorities or other Asian populaces is a major step taken by Preston Football Club towards minimising the issue of racism in football (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, 2010). Additionally, the results obtained from the primary data also revealed that the long-standing process of undertaking various supporting events for the community members and minorities have significantly reduced the conduct scope of occurring any sort of racial issue within the football clubs. In this regard, working with local schools and providing football coaching to the local community members during holidays have contributed the clubs to obtain major growth in terms of gaining attention of huge figure of supporters and valuable stakeholders. With this concern, it can be critically asserted that the increasing movement of eliminating racial issues from British football has vowed to bring major developmental changes in the societies with equal rights and opportunities to be provided to the members irrespective of their cultural, national and/or social backgrounds. Measures in Controlling and Eliminating Racism in Football By considering the results obtained from the interview, emphasising various controlling mechanisms in respond to the issue of racism can also be duly considered as a major theme associated with racism prevailing within British football (Saeed & Kilvington, 2011). The data retrieved from the interview conducted portrayed that the control authorities in the football matches in Sheffield plays a decisive role in eliminating behaviours of the racists on and off the football ground. Moreover, governmental and social activists were also observed to play a pervasive role in terms of eliminating racism in British football. It is worth mentioning that the interviewees had critically mentioned about the roles of “Lets Kick Racism out of Football Campaign”, “Show Racism the Red Card”, and “Football Unites, Racism Divides” that substantially lowered the influence of racist behaviour in British Football. Summary of Key Findings With due regards to the above discussion, it can be affirmed that the data retrieved from the primary sources has provided a major set of findings relating to the prevalence of racism in football in Sheffield, UK. The interview results and evaluation outcomes perceived from the questionnaire survey method certainly assisted in determining the fact that racism in football got substantially reduced in the recent phenomenon. Moreover, a number of key findings were also perceived from the survey analysis that has been elaborately discussed below. Role of Media Media is critically identified to be a major factor associated with racism in football in Sheffield, UK (Garland & et. al., 2013; Football Task Force, 1998). From the results obtained by the conduct of interview and questionnaire survey, media has been pervasively witnessed to have major influence in terms of informing people about the issue of racism in football along with its role towards shaping the perception of the people in Sheffield about the stated context. The questionnaire survey results obtained from the supporters, viewers and the players further illustrated that unfair and sensational way of representing or reporting has also restrained the elimination process of racism in football in Sheffield, UK. Control Authorities The results of the primary data also elaborated the roles of the associations and the agencies to eliminate racist behaviours of football supporters and players in Sheffield, UK. According to the results obtained from the questionnaire survey, it can be stated that the racism control associations and agencies were not able to effectively deal with racist behaviour in football matches in Sheffield, UK. Role of Campaigns Campaigns conducted to reduce racism have been playing a pervasive role in football in Sheffield, UK (Garland & et. al., 2013; Jones & Smith, 2011). With due regards to the results obtained from the survey results, ‘Kick It Out’ campaigns were observed to play an indispensable role in terms of changing racist behaviours or perceptions of the players and the supporters as well. The campaigns associated with ‘Kick It Out’ generally involved clear aims along with objectives that were designed to eliminate racism in football in Sheffield, UK. From the perspective of results obtained from the interviews, it was also identified that campaigns such as "Lets Kick Racism out of Football Campaign", "Show Racism the Red Card" and "Football Unites, Racism Divides" were recognised to substantially reduce the prevailing racist behaviours amid the players, supporters and the viewers in Sheffield, UK. References Authority of the House of Commons, 2012. Racism in Football. Second Report of Session 2012–13, Vol. 1, pp. 1-38. Back, L. & et. al., 2001. The Changing Face of Football: Racism, Identity and Multiculture in the English Game. Bloomsbury Academic. Bebber, B. M., 2008. The Culture of Football: Violence, Racism and British Society, 1968—1998. ProQuest. Cook, I., 2009. A Sociological Study of Race and Managerial Positions in English professional Football. Results and Analysis. [Online] Available at: http://www.furd.org/resources/Race%20and%20Managerial%20Positions.pdf [Accessed April 14, 2015]. European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, 2010. Racism, Ethnic Discrimination and Exclusion of Migrants and Minorities in Sport: A Comparative Overview of the Situation in the European Union. The European Union and Sports. [Online] Available at: http://www.furd.org/resources/Report-racism-sport_EN.pdf [Accessed April 14, 2015]. Football Task Force, 1998. Eliminating Racism from Football. Playing the Game: Encouraging Wider Participation. [Online] Available at: http://www.furd.org/resources/ftfracism.pdf [Accessed April 14, 2015]. Garland, J. et. al., 2013. The Future of Football: Challenges for the Twenty-first Century. Routledge. House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, 2013. Racism in Football. Second Report of Session 2012–13, Volume II, pp. Ev w1-Ev w29. Jones, B., & Smith, D., 2011. The Football Association and Luis Suarez Reasons of The Regulatory Commission. The Background Facts. [Online] Available at: http://www.furd.org/resources/FA%20v%20Suarez%20Written%20Reasons%20of%20Regulatory%20Commission.pdf [Accessed April, 14, 2015]. Morrow, S., 2003. The Peoples Game?: Football, Finance and Society. Palgrave Macmillan. Saeed, A. & Kilvington, D., 2011. British-Asians and Racism within Contemporary English Football. Soccer and Society, Vol. 12, No. 5, pp. 600-610. Bibliography Bradbury, S., 2002. Thesis Submitted For The Degree of PhD, Sociology Department, University of Leicester. ProQuest LLC 2014. Cleland, J. & Cashmore, E., 2013. Fans, Racism and British Football in the Twenty-First Century: The Existence of a ‘Colour-Blind’ Ideology. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, pp. 1-18. Earl, R., 2013. How Effective Have Anti-Racism Campaigns Been In Eliminating Racism from English Football? (1970-2013). Racism and Supporters. [Online] Available at: http://www.furd.org/resources/How%20effective%20have%20anti-racism%20campaigns%20been%20in%20eliminating%20racism%20in%20English%20football%20.pdf [Accessed April, 14, 2015]. Football Unites, Racism Divides, 2012. Racism in Football. Home. [Online] Available at: http://www.furd.org/default.asp?intPageID=53 [Accessed April, 14, 2015]. Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Culture, Media and Sport Committee, 2012. Racism in Football, Volume 1. The Stationery Office. Garland, J. & Rowe, M., 2001. Racism and Anti-Racism in Football. Palgrave Macmillan. Kassimeris, C., 2007. European Football in Black and White: Tackling Racism in Football. Lexington Books. Ruddock, A., 2005. Lets Kick Racism Out of Football* and Lefties Too!, Journal of Sport and Social Issues, Vol. 29, No. 4, pp. 369 85. Sir Norman Chester Centre for Football Research, 2002. The FA Premier League National Fan Survey 2001 Summary Report. The Football Association Premier League Ltd. Read More