In the last decade racism has declined rapidly in the world of football which is in no small part due to extensive "kick it out" schemes, but also perhaps due to the influx of foreign players from all over the globe, such as Africa, South America and Europe. This influx has led to a strange phenomenon in the English Premier Division; it is unusual to see a team full of English talent, nevertheless the increase in foreign players has undoubtedly led to a race tolerant environment.
However recently there have been a series of high profile race rows involving some of the biggest names in the Premiership, most notably the England Captain John Terry. The fearless leader of men has found himself in the middle of the media storm due to some comments he was alleged to have made towards QPR's Anton Ferdinand during a heated London derby game on the 23rd October. Terry, whether guilty or not, has a responsibility, more-so than other players, to be a role model for all the children and young players learning their trade in the game. Terry's influence was highlighted when Chelsea travelled to Genk in the Champions league. Their supporters sang "We know what you are, we know what you are, Anton Ferdinand we know what you are."
More worryingly today Luis Suarez was charged with racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra. Evra claimed the Uruguayan called him a N****r up to 15 times in the North West derby on the 15th October. The Liverpool forward arrived at Anfield in January with a reputation as one of Europe's best frontmen having hit 49 goals in 48 games in the Dutch Eredivisie, however with his undoubted quality comes an abundance of baggage. He unquestionably attempts to con referees and get opposition players booked. He represents everything that is wrong with the modern game, however if he found guilty he represents everything that is wrong with the modern man.
With the introduction of social media into all of our lives it is inevitable that some of football's superstars will take to the Internet to share their views on all sorts of hugely important topics such as, but not exclusively, what they like to eat at Nandos. With the unsurprising exception of one Joseph Barton, footballers tend to keep a relatively low profile on the social media sites and occasionally they come across as almost sensible. Look no further than Rio Ferdinand who, since joining Twitter, has presented himself with class and has seemed nothing more than a good father and dedicated professional.
Why then have sites like Twitter, Facebook and various others become an excuse for narrow-minded, neanderthals to abuse black professional footballers. Most recently Newcastle's Sammy Ameobi and Sunderland's Fraizer Campbell have both been subjected to abuse over Twitter.
The racist problem doesn't end between players and fans however as today FIFA president Sepp Blatter did little to enhance his position as football's biggest buffoon when he suggested that players who serve racist abuse at the hands of another player during a game should merely accept it as part of the game and shake hands once the final whistle goes. As long as the most powerful men in football hold this nonchalant and cavalier attitude towards discrimination the situation will not improve. Changes must be made and enforced from top to bottom so we can once and for all "Show racism the red card."
Paul Seed
