The Problem of Racism in Football Matches - Report Example

RACIAL PROBLEMS PAST AND PRESENT THE PROBLEM OF RACIASM IN FOOTBALL MATCHES AND THE REACTION OF ASIANS IN LUTON LITERATURE REVIEW The theme of Racism had been a long process in the recent years. Though there are many football clubs and organizations working on the eradication of racism, the important centre called the Norman Chester For football research has statistical proof to show that racism had not been removed completely. Previous issues of the Norman Chester survey was particular with the point that though many English clubs have been formed to enhance the Asian players to participate in the football matches, there were some who still had the strong racist thought. The higher officials in the professional foot ball clubs and recruitment boards were not completely working in favor of the neglected Asian minority community in Luton and other parts of UK. This had been running for the past 10 years or so, till now the talks of racism are relevant among the racist fans, who come in order to disturb the Asian players. But the same Norman Chester Center has been focusing on the special Campaigns for spreading anti-racist feeling. The most frequently displayed is the one called Foxes of Leicester and their organization called Football Against Racism. The recent news from this center has illustrations and information to prove this. These campaigns have many a non-Asian player speaking if favor of Asian Minority player. The small dissertation will revolve around the two set of information taken from the Norman Chester Center For Foot ball Research Bradbury, Steven. Executive Summary. The New Foot Ball Communities. Sir Norman Chester Center for Football Research. Online. http://www.le.ac.uk/fo/resources/fcomms.pdf Sir Norman Chester Center for Foot Ball Research, University of Leicester.online. http://www/le.ac.uk/far/activities/pre_33_37_FAR.pdfmith . Kick it Out Foot ball Anti-racism Campaign,online www.kickitout.org Moore, Colin.New Oppurtunities for Asian Foot ballers in Manchester, Future Development. online www.furd.org/resourcefiles/Asians%2520can%2520play%2520football.pdf These two sets of sites show details of racist activities in football matches and the special campaigns on eradication of racism in football matches. Though there have been some elongated process growing to wipe out racism one thing is should be clearly understood that there is not a magazine or journal for football sport has something to say confirm that no racism exist in the present society. The research study will take into account how the racist feelings have been considered by players and the officials who sit in the superior position in the clubs formed for football. And also focus mainly on the certain organizations which really work for eradicating racism has not been considered as a prominent system for erasing racism. The list of some will be given in the dissertation. Theory of racism will be the first level of focus in this dissertation and how it had been under affecting the players and the audience of the football matches and finally the steps that have been taken by several organizations to eradicate this feeling of racism. Since the topic of racism has become an often occurring one in for the past 10 years. On the whole it is very clear that till the talk of anti-racism prevails it means that the problem of racism also prevails, and it has not been considered as worn out from the mind of some people. This also shows that the effect of Racism has a very deep negative impact till now. The above mentioned sites will be used as links to review the theory of racism and the following points will be discussed in detail in a cross section method. How Racism had been in the past?, How racism had been treated among the officials, players and the audience?, What were the supposed reasons behind the thought of racism and how Asian minority have been affected due to this? What were the steps taken by the foot ball clubs in various parts of UK ? Do the minority community are really benefited by the clubs? What are the present levels of racism and the reaction of the present players towards racism? All the sources are taken from online journals. The sources were collected and downloaded in my PC and the most needed information are taken out and combined to get the full structure. RACIAL PROBLEMS PAST AND PRESENT 2 The problem of racism had been a long term one in the world of football matches. This was a very big issue in Luton and the matches,. Luton is a place with many Asians living in majority or in other words Luton has minor ethnic groups that their native whites. In the beginning the Asians were seemed to be neglected both by the white community and the responsible professionals of the sports society. They were neither recognized for their interest nor accepted to be treated equally while they were in the ground. This was the major reason behind Asian rejecting to participate in Luton foot ball matches. The Asians aloofness towards the sport was an important event in provoking and frustrating the wishes of a section of British Community. This has created an opinion that a section of the British inhabitants have been alienated by a sport. Asians have been denied opportunities to play or participate in foot ball matches not as Asian players but as blacks. The following were the prominent reasons behind their racism, 1. The Luton city was filled with 6% of Pakistani Asians and 2.5% of Bengaladesh Asians of which majorirty of the youth seemed to have more interest in football sport. 2. But people in higher positions and those native whites who were in Professional clubs neither considered their interest nor accepting them as suitable for playing foot ball matches. RACIAL PROBLEMS PAST AND PRESENT 3 3.The local foot ball club were not engaging with the ethnic minority communities . This has gradually paved the way for the Asians to have a limited involvement in professional football. Sir Norman Chester Center for Football research found that “whilst about 10% of young players aged 14+ in youth academics were black, less than 0.2%[Estimated at 71 young people in total] were of Asian origin”{Bradbury, Steven. Executive Summary} Minority of Racist fans were also a cause for the racial problems if foot ball matches. These fans were not always from the audience but also from the recruiting officers and club members. Though the certain clubs were engaged in making a full stop to racism they still do not consider the participation of the ethnic minority communities. The survey report on Racism and Match Attendance given by Sir Norman Chester Center for Foot Ball Research has to say the following: “Fan concerns over racism [32%] and also cost [33%] were the two most popular factors cited by football clubs as likely major disincentive ness for minority ethnic attendance at their own club matches” [Bradbury, Steven. Executive Summary]. More over the football clubs were situated in places where these ethnic communities are living in a low percentage. Though many clubs that were formed claiming that their main intention is to eradicate the racial awareness among the white players and the indigenous people are really not adhering to what they say. In other words certain members of the clubs still have in mind a sort of unexposed awareness on racism. RACIAL PROBLEMS PAST AND PRESENT 4 More than half the respondent clubs were not completely conscious of the prevailing incidents of racial problems amongst the audience during the matches. The Administration for recruitment of players have forwarded the procedures to a large extent that the out side applicants feel extremely difficult to enter into it.And the years 1999/2000 show very low percentage of intake of players from the ethnic community. This is due to the reason that the feeling of racial awareness still survives. Though the advent of football clubs has seemed to be increasing, the participation of the minority ethnic communities was comparatively very low. This might be due to the reason that most of the clubs are situated in whites’ areas. 60% of the clubs report that they have been working to attract minority population but were not successful in their attempts. Among the employers only two or three would have gained the superior post in the clubs. The Norman Chester Center has also to say the following “However the responses of most professional football clubs to the implementation of anti-racism measures identified in the Football Task Force recommendations have, generally speaking, been much more limited. Only when working directly in conjunction with other football, or with non-football, agencies ave some clubs been able to respond practically and reasonably and effectively to the challenges set to them”[ Bradbury, Steven. Executive Summary]. As far as the survey by Norman Chester Center is concerned “It is clear that amongst clubs such as these there is a long way to go to match up to Football Task Force and other recommendations on social inclusion and dealing with racism” RACIAL PROBLEMS PAST AND PRESENT 5 The union of Luton foot ball club has also contributed to the eradication of racism in foot ball matches. The Luton United FC formed in June 2000, as Luton Asian Fc. Its main aim was to gather more number of Asian players in the organized foot ball matches which will be held in Luton area. The clubs another main intention was to have a clear and realistic objective concentrating on bringing equality in opportunities for all the Asian foot ball players. The Luton club had a challenging role in changing the negative thought that was prevailing among the Asian football players. “Not to be outdone by the other amateur clubs here, two are the exploits of the grass root Leicester Nirvana Club from Leicester, A foot ball club that does amazing work with young Asians in disadvantaged communities and yet struggled for resources and its own facilities.” [Smith, Dave. Foot ball for All : The FA pledges to listen and learn-and the PFA will Play its part too.] From that time onwards more clubs seemed to have emerged concerning the well being of the foot ball fans and players from the minority Asian communities living in Luton and other parts of UK also. Many officials working for the clubs and professionals of foot ball organizations were of great support to the theme of equality to all players. Lucy Faulkner , Manager of the Ethnic and Sports Equity has to say this “The fact that people from all sections of the community love foot ball and believe it can be a power for good in our society came across loud and clear”[ Smith, Dave. Foot ball for All : The FA pledges to listen and learn-and the PFA will Play its part too.] RACIAL PROBLEMS PAST AND PRESENT 6 The foot ball association has also worked out certain programs in order to enhance the participation of the Asian players. They are 1 Education for all the players recruited in the football clubs. This also includes creating and teaching about awareness on eradicating racial outlook, conducting seminars and workshops with the students’ participation as the main concept. 2. Coaching for the students, with major priority given to eradication of racial thoughts. 3. Academics for foot ball where the most talented are being picked up and given wide opportunity. 4. Grass root foot ball with more and more opportunities for ethnic minority communities. As far as the schools for the multi-ethnic groups such as that of Birmingham have failed to get the financial, educative and moral support from the government and the clubs favoring foot ball sport. The FA came out with lot of changes , it formed a campaign that stated that “If football is to be played and enjoyed by every one, whatever the color of their skin, and where ever they come from, it is up to us all, each and every one of us , to refuse, to tolerate racist attitudes, and to demand nothing less than the highest standards in every area of the game”[ Smith, Dave. Foot ball for All : The FA pledges to listen and learn-and the PFA will Play its part too.] RACIAL PROBLEMS PASTAND PRESENT 7 The Introduction of Academics at Clubs , the publication of Labor’s Charter for football The Government task Force, the FA’s new equality strategy and the English game for Globalization and the recruitment of players from other countries have changed the selection policies and has given open opportunity for all players from all communities. On the other hand though changes have been made to show priority there seem to very slow in taking decisions. Very few people from the Asian community work in Senior positions inside the English Clubs which make them fail in giving full support to their community players. In 2004 the Commission for Racial Equality has reported that the Asian players have shown a poor performance in their matches at the English Clubs. There seems to be a gap that has to be filled and sufficient protection should be given to protect them against racist fans and audience. In 2004 Leicester Nirvana won the Foxes Against Racism Award for work in sport in local communities in Leicester this is a proof that something has been done in favor of the minority community. But still there have been few reports showing that Asians do not go fro foot ball matches, this is mainly due to the fanatics of Racism. The Manchester country FA has is working on several ways to expand the chances of Asian minorities to play football, they have the following ideals in their organizations: “Future Developments Other initiatives we have ongoing in the Manchester area includes: RACIAL PROBLEMS PAST AND PRESENT 8 1.Developing links with the local Asian news media to promote football opportunities for people of Asian Heritage. 2. The creation of a subgroup to look at different ethnic minority communities in terms of barriers to play football 3. A Level 1 FA coaching course to be held in July 2005 which will be used to train 20 new coaches from within the Asian and other ethnic minority communities in the Manchester area. 4. Working with volunteers to develop Mini Soccer fro young people within Asians in Manchester 5. Work with existing Asian football clubs to develop funding opportunities to enable their expansion and to attain Charter Standard. 6. Working with ancient football clubs to develop the participation of other foreign players”[Moore, Colin. Chapter;6 New Opportunities For Asian Footballers in Manchester, Future Developments] The year 2004 saw various organizations involved in conducting seminars and work shops to eradicate the feeling of racism. Some of them were, Villers High School in Southall conducted a conference from 13th-14th of October focusing on the issues of racism in sport and concentrated on eradicating racism. Enfield Town Supporters Society , Enfield produced leaflets on anti-racist activities during 14th-26th of October RACIAL PROBLEMS PAST AND PRESENT 9 Hackney Wolverines Foundation, Hackney dealt with racism and ways to combat discrimination during 16th of October. Tottenham Hotspur F.I.T.C., Tottenham displayed the history of Black footballers exhibition at White Hart Lane during Spurs Kick it out Activity week in October. Similarly many activities to completely wipe out racism were taken place in other parts of London, Midlands, North And North-East , Northwest, South-East and West of UK. The most remarkable thing against racism would be that of the idea of displaying the Red Card to Kick out racism. The Foxes of Leicester have been working seriously to eradicate this completely. They have shown a new direction to wipe out racism. Since 1997 Foxes Against Racism has been working in certain sport campaigns changing the club’s community activities, improving its contact with minority community. An interview with Frank Sinclair , a player from the minority community reflects his free feeling that the impact of racism has come down. He says that the players from the minority community were not treated differently, and he was in full praise of the campaigns organized by the FAR. He in fact appreciates the anti-racist campaigns and strongly hopes that in the near future there will be no place for racism. The FAR club captain, Matt Elliott, has to say the following “Today the players will stand on the center-circle before the game showing their support against racism . We are asking all city fans in the North stand to join us to hold a Red Card Against Racism”[www/e.ac.uk/far/activities/pre-33-37-FAR.pdf RACIAL PROBLEMS PAST AND PRESENT 10 “An anti-racism pilot scheme for children involving football coaching and educational workshops has had dramatic benefits. The first evaluation of the Show Racism the Red Card project found that almost three-quarters of pupils with racist or negative attitudes towards asylum seekers and refugees had changed their minds after taking part. The pilot, in 17 Glasgow schools and involving 900 children aged 11 to 13, could be rolled out across Scotland. Organisers found higher levels of racism and ignorance in schools with the lowest numbers of children from ethnic minority backgrounds. However, after watching videos featuring black players, such as Thierry Henry, and educational workshops, discussions, and coaching with professional footballers, more than 71% of those with negative attitudes had altered their views.” [Children Learn How to Show Racism the Red Card, News in 2006, 8th May] The above article is a fine illustration to show that how racism has been under the strong influence of eradication. It will be nice if one more opinion of a player is added at this juncture. He is Rio Ferdinand, he says: “Racists should not be allowed in he ground again, they should be banned full stop.If impressionable kids are going to be hearing those kind of chants then it is a breeding ground for that kind of attitude” [Children Learn How to Show Racism the Red Card, News in 2006, 8th May] RACIAL PROBLEMS PAST AND PRESENT 11 On the whole the concept of racial awareness seems to have had their place in the peak but the recent times has lot of evidences illustrating the measures taken to eradicate the feeling of racial difference among the audience and the players. The most interesting factor is that many players including players from the minority and indigenous community have come about with the thought to completely erase the racial problems in the field of sports. And another most welcoming aspect is that children are looked upon with more care so that they should not follow the racial feeling in future. BIBILIOGRAPHY Bradbury, Steven. Executive Summary. The New Foot Ball Communities. Sir Norman Chester Center for Football Research. Online. http://www.le.ac.uk/fo/resources/fcomms.pdf Children Learn How To show Racism The Red Card, News 2006, 8th May. Online.http://www.srtrc.org/news/2006/may/08_05_06_children_red_card_html Sir Norman Chester Center for Foot Ball Research, University of Leicester.online. http://www/le.ac.uk/far/activities/pre_33_37_FAR.pdfmith Kick it Out Foot ball Anti-racism Campaign,online www.kickitout.org Moore, Colin.New Oppurtunities for Asian Foot ballers in Manchester, Future Development. online www.furd.org/resourcefiles/Asians%2520can%2520play%2520football.pdf Smith, Dave.Foot ball for all:the Pledegs to listen and learn-and the PFA will play Its part too., online. www.givefootball.com Read More