Racism Cases on the Football Field - Essay Example

Running head: ERADICATING RACISM IN FOOTBALL 6th November Introduction With the increasing interest in football especially in Europe, individuals from different races have been involved in the matches not only as fans but also as players. In addition to lack of proper management, racism is one of the challenges that are facing football clubs not only in Europe but also in the third world countries. While it is a notable factor in the issue of football hooliganism, racism has brought about extensive football disorder that management teams are facing difficulties to handle. During 1970s, racism took the form of making monkey noises at black players. One of the notable team that has been the target of Anti-Semitic chants is Tottenham Hotspur. During 1970s, the rate of hooliganism rose to the prominence. For example, the emergence of the National Front embarked on covering and encouraging the activities of hooliganism in its magazine referred to as bulldog (Palmer and Griggs, 2010). Another trigger of racism was the tragedy that occurred in 1970s where 39 people died while escaping from the Liverpool fans. After the tragedy, cases of racism became clear in team such as Chelsea, Newcastle United, Leeds United, Millwall and Arsenal among others. This paper seeks to discuss the contribution made by journals on how to eradicate racism in football. One of the key measure that was adopted by football management teams to address the issue of racism is the 1991 Football Act that forbidden the chanting of abusive words to the players. However, based on its limited definition of chanting, the legislation became inadequate. This resulted to adoption of 1986 Public Order Act that strictly emphasized as illegal the use of obscene and foul language at football pitches. Based on their efforts to bring normalcy in the football matches, various governments have established bodies and legislations that aim at curbing racism and hooliganism in the fields (Gratton and Jones, 2005). Additionally, in the recent years, various groups have also been established to deal with the cases of racism. Such groups that have not only come from the clubs but also from the supporters include Football Supporters Association FSA, Professional Footballers Association PFA, and the Campaign for Racial Equality CRE. Notable campaign that was spearheaded by CRE and PFA includes Let’s Kick Racism out of Football. With its objective of encouraging supporters and clubs to come up with their own strategies to deal with racism in their clubs, the CRE and PFA campaign provided action plans that the clubs were needed to adopt Gratton and Jones, 2005. First, each of the clubs was required to come up with a statement that they do not tolerate racism, and a serious action will be taken to deal with the supporters who are involved in intimidation as well as racist chanting. Secondly, the clubs were required to make public announcements that indicate their condemnation of racism in the sporting fields. This also involved warning the supporters that any case or racism will be dealt with accordingly. The third point was that clubs should make contact among themselves in order to ensure that they understand the policies that each of them adopts. The fourth point is that season ticket holders do not engage in racial abuse and abusive chanting (Silk et al, 2005). The fifth rule also indicated that the teams should not distribute any kind of literature that indicates racism. This in turn would prevent the public to access the racist materials that would result to more cases of racial discrimination. The sixth point was that all the stewards as well as the police understand the policies adopted by the clubs (Palmer and Griggs, 2010). In this way, they are in a position to emulate similar strategies of dealing with the supporters who advocate for racism. The plan also indicated that the clubs should work with other agencies and groups including the local authority, and schools as a way of raising awareness thus eliminating discrimination and racism. It is important to treat individuals equally no matter where their ethnicity background. Based on individuals been humiliated either in the pitch or as spectators it is beneficial if a solution to curb the menace is found. An example of racism is where certain groups are supposed to be relegated or even being expelled. This means that the team which has portrayed racism should be expelled from the competitions in a serious matter to make sure that racism is curbed. FIFA should be given the power to make sure that all the spectators and footballer are monitored and if case of racism emanates from an individual they should be expelled from the pitch. For the first offence an individual who has been found with the case of racism should be warned, fined or if the individual is a footballer then should be ordered not to play and watch the match behind doors (Frosdick and Peter, 2005). This can curb racism greatly since it makes individual to feel tempered and their dignity is lowered when they are racially discriminated. Others shout abusive names to individuals making the spectators to laugh at them which lower the morale of individuals to be associated with the club. If the same name calling is conducted again, then the entire club points are supposed to be deducted and relegated so that the club can be an example to others. Since only 1% of cases are reported by the media it can be beneficial if FIFA can be on the ground so that any case of racism can be dealt with accordingly at the moment. If point’s deduction can be made effective it can make it possible to deal with racism in football for the next 20 to 50 years and thus ending discrimination worldwide. Race equality should be encouraged where football is meant for everyone and it does not depend on which ethnic group one comes from. This is one of the important aspects that should be noted by all the stakeholders in Football Association (FA). To ensure that football equality is achieved then racism should not only be directed to the players only rather all the stakeholders like referees, coaches, spectators, administrators of the clubs and other volunteers should be part and parcel. Ethos is supposed to be used in this game which is enjoyed by everyone so that opportunities can be created. This can only be achieved through awareness like Kick It Out where all the individuals are supposed to enjoy the game without being intimidated by others through usage of abusive language or any sign. Kick It Out ensures that individuals participate on this enjoyable game and thus awareness to curb ethnicity issue is the key role of Kick It Out (Back and Tim, 2001). Through Kick It Out, then those who racially discriminate others should be shown the Red Card which is an act of ensuring that both the spectators and the players experience the consequences of racism. Through this awareness, then young individuals will develop respect for others and good relationship will exist between them and thus racism will be reduced significantly. Another way of curbing racism in football is not only banning individuals from playing or making sure that heavy fine is allowed, relegating them and point deductions but the best is to make sure that they suffer the legal implications in the court. The only way to make sure that this racism was not meant to you is not to react (Tom, 2014). If an individual will goes ahead and react, then that would be a losing battle since the racists will continue with the bullying. To make sure that racism ends it is imperative to make sure that each and every individual shut up his or her mouth if one is bullied so that the racist will be aware that they are not affecting anybody. If this will not bear the fruits then other measures like playing without spectators can be an option where it can still curb this problem once and for all. This barbaric act and hooliganism lowers individual morale but if an individual does not react, it will make the racists to feel ignored and thus ending up the vice. One of the psychological approaches that relates to racism is its view as a motivational factor. Based on the fact that it is undertaken by individuals at the personal level as well as at the institutional level, it is treated as a form of moral viciousness (Anthony et al, 2005). Even though it negatively affects the image of a certain race, the perpetrators take it as an aspect that makes them stronger against their colleagues. Through the use of motivation that the advocates of racism seem to enjoy, one can extensively research on the topic. Another approach is the one which treats racist acts as resulting to racist humor (Bonilla-Silva, 2003). This approach indicates that even though it may be directed to as, it creates humorously effect and it is not bad to join other in roughing. This approach seems to provide a basis on which psychological impacts of racism. However, this approach does not advocate for racism it is just providing a point and an opinion. Conclusion Based on the above discussion, it is clear that racism in football is a challenge especially in European countries. It is vital that governments undertake extensive campaign to fight racism just like FIFA has adopted antiracism campaign during FIFA World Cup (Plymire, 2005). Plymire, 2005. On their part, companies that sponsor football matches like Barclays and Coca-Cola among others should provide adverts that portray racism as a social vice that should be entirely eliminated. References Anthony Appiah, J.L.A. Garcia, and Michael Phillips. 2001. Philosophical analyses of individual racism. Radical Philosophy Review 4 (1/2):78-94 (2001. Back, L. and Tim. C. 2001. The Changing Face of Football: Racism, Identity, and Multicultural In The English Game. Berg: Palgrave. Bonilla-Silva, E. 2003. Racism without Racists: Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in the United States. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. Frosdick, S. and Peter, M. 2005. Football Hooliganism. Georgia: Georgia university press. Gratton, C and Jones, I. 2005. Research Methods for sports studies. London: Routledge. Palmer. C. and Griggs, G. 2010. Starting Qualitative Research JQRSS Vol 4 Plymire, D. 2005. Qualitative Methods in Sport Media studies, in Andrews, D.L Mason, D.S and Silk, M.L (eds.) Qualitative Methods in Sports Studies, Oxford: Berg, pp 155-156 Robert, E.2013. How effective have Antiracism Campaigns been in eliminating Racism from English Football? (1970-2013). Anglia: Anglia Ruskin University. Silk, M.L. Andrews, D.L. and Mason, D.S. 2005. Encountering the field:Sport Studies and Qualitative Research, in Andrews, D.L. Mason, D.S. and Silk, M.L (eds.) Qualitative Methods in Sport Studies, Oxford: Berg, pp 1-20. Tom, M. 2014. John Barnes Questions Football Anti-racism strategy. Available from http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/07/sport/football/john-barnes-racismm-dani-alves-banana-football/ Read More