Racism in Soccer

[DreAming in DigITal]

Did anyone see the special segment on ESPN Sportcenter today and yesterday about racism in Soccer?? That was nuts! It unbelievable that people are allowed to act like that during a match! And also that others in the stadium let them do it!

I'm trying to find a link to the story for those of you who missed it, but they had clips of people throwing Bananas onto the field to taunt the black players. They would hold up Nazi banners and chant references about them working for "bananas and peanuts". Once segment on the Coach of the French National team making racist remarks about Thierry Henry (but caught on film), basically calling him a "black ******" and stuff. They even had a clip of Paolo Di Canio giving the Nazi Salute while ON the field.

WOW! When I find the story I'll post it...

Edited June 4, 2006 by DreAming in DigITal

[Vice]

I don't understand why some people are so racist. I love everyone! :D

[hotdog666al]

That's so mean!!

If they are racist, they should keep it to themselves!!

[L3thal Veteran]

Don't worry guys, racist fans this World Cup will think twice before chanting racist comments.

Here is why - http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=361998&cc=5901

[DreAming in DigITal]

/\ Yea they are going to deduct point from teams who have fans that are chanting racist stuff...

ESPN was saying today that some fans may be moved to chant racist things against their own players in order to have points deducted from the opposing team.

[»X«]

/\ Yea they are going to deduct point from teams who have fans that are chanting racist stuff...

ESPN was saying today that some fans may be moved to chant racist things against their own players in order to have points deducted from the opposing team.

FIFA wouldnt put a rule out like that without guidelines, or everyfan would cheat the system.

Bearing in mind i loathe soccer, ive always hated the attitude of the fans and sometimes the players. Maybe elimination from competitions is the better way to go. Any hardcore soccer fan worth his salt will button it knowing his own club, his favourite team, will suffer because of his mouth. If he doesnt, other fans will and beat the crap out of him. The circle is complete.

[PaulCabby]

Once segment on the Coach of the French National team making racist remarks about Thierry Henry (but caught on film), basically calling him a "black ******" and stuff.

Wasn't it the Spanish National team coach that said that to Jose Reyes about Thierry Henry?

[Usar]

Let's hope they won't breed.

[Martyn]

If they are racist, they should keep it to themselves!!

I agree, everyone is entitled to be racist, as long as they keep it to themselves and do not exert misery on other people.

I am not saying racism is right by the way. I think football in general is a great way to give a negative perspective to racism, like with all the "kick racism out of football" promotions which are happening more and more often.

[Des429]

i thought they had a rule like that for a long time. sounds like a good idea. but man i didn't think it was as serious as this. i mean players giving the nazi salute while on the field???? wtf???

[DreAming in DigITal]

Wasn't it the Spanish National team coach that said that to Jose Reyes about Thierry Henry?

Umm I'm not sure...You would probably know better than me. This is the first year I've followed the sport, so I can't remember what team they said it was.

[tiagosilva29]

Wasn't it the Spanish National team coach that said that to Jose Reyes about Thierry Henry?

Yes, it was. He shouted something like "Don't fear the black / You're better than the ****ty black" (lit).

[Brodel]

Yes, it was. He shouted something like "Don't fear the black / You're better than the ****ty black" (lit).

Yea, I think Spain is one of if not the area with the most problems.

It used to be a problem in the UK but has very much died down, in fact I've been to a lot of matches over 10 years or so and never heard anything racist. There is quite a bit movement in the UK with regards to getting racism out of football too. http://www.kickitout.org/

[zivan56]

Althought I believe racism to be wrong, I find it unfair that a team must be punished for it. what are the players supposed to do? Go fight with a large number of neo-nazis?

They should just have police at the stadium kick these people out.

[L3thal Veteran]

Yea, I think Spain is one of if not the area with the most problems.

It used to be a problem in the UK but has very much died down, in fact I've been to a lot of matches over 10 years or so and never heard anything racist. There is quite a bit movement in the UK with regards to getting racism out of football too. http://www.kickitout.org/

It all started because of racist comments by Yugoslavian fans towards Heskey in the U-21 championship 6 years ago.

[LRoling]

What is very wierd is Henry is one of the best strikers in the game today, and yet his own team's fans act racist toward him, I mean, he's helping them win. Very good segment.

[spa2k]

What is very wierd is Henry is one of the best strikers in the game today, and yet his own team's fans act racist toward him, I mean, he's helping them win. Very good segment.

i think that you have this slightly wrong. Henry plays for arsenal and racism isn't a problem there.

The main problems are currently focussed around eastern europe, racism is almost encouraged at football matches, particularly against foreign opponents. It has appeared in a very ugly way in spain in recent times, starting with the national team coach and also including an international match vs england.

Until the problem is tackled by all Football Associations with clubs as well as managers severely punished it will continue unabaited.

[LunarFalcon]

I saw a documentary on this a while back, and was absolutely shocked at what I saw. I guess up until that point, I had only thought about racism as it is in the States, I never really thought about modern-day racism in Europe

[snyper]

There was and maybe a big problem in the dutch national team with rait too. I remember in USA 94, the black and white players never really interacted or mixed well.........

In ireland we can be abit too. Although we've been known to draft lots of black players from england with an irish granny.....were happy to have'em!! :)

[Shibby]

Yes rasism is wrong but the FA's can't get rid of it out of football, the problems lays at the countries themselfs and how they are run.

You still get a few nasty coments from fans now and then in a match, When i was at Pompey VS Blackburn some pompey fans were shouting RAPIST to Paul Dickov, It was sort of unfair as it was a harsh chant. The normal chants like your rubbish or little ryhmes don't bother players to much as they are use to them

[LRoling]

@spa2k

I don't mean Arsenal, I know he plays for Arsenal, I've seen him play quite a few times when I went to England, but I'm talking about his current situation with his Olympic Team in Spain. I can't believe he takes that crap from the coach. And as I was saying, he's a great player, yet even his damn coach is being racist considering the fact he has Henry, one of the best strikers in the world and maybe the best on the team. Just seems ridiculous that a man who has been coaching soccer for a long time and has seen talent come and go can't let the color of his skin go. He doesn't even care how good he is, except for the fact it's making him money if they win in the WC.

[DreAming in DigITal]

nevermind...

[spa2k]

@spa2k

I don't mean Arsenal, I know he plays for Arsenal, I've seen him play quite a few times when I went to England, but I'm talking about his current situation with his Olympic Team in Spain. I can't believe he takes that crap from the coach. And as I was saying, he's a great player, yet even his damn coach is being racist considering the fact he has Henry, one of the best strikers in the world and maybe the best on the team. Just seems ridiculous that a man who has been coaching soccer for a long time and has seen talent come and go can't let the color of his skin go. He doesn't even care how good he is, except for the fact it's making him money if they win in the WC.

okay, i get you now....bit of crossed wires there.

As far as i am aware and as already mentioned i thought that it was the spanish coach that made the remarks to Jose Reyes......however it makes no difference who made the remarks and who about and who to. They should not have been made and it is just plain wrong.

[dannyscott5]

what if you know you are out of the cup and you are a racist person going to a match anyways, then you will deliberatly cause trouble and the other team will retaliate and have points deducted :/

[DreAming in DigITal]

/\ I just heard on ESPN radio yesterday that the point deductions don't apply to fans...just to players/coaches making racist gestures or comments on the field. Fans can only be jailed or tossed out.