Football has long been considered the king of sports, bringing joy and connection between countries and peoples around the world. However, behind that beauty still exists a painful problem: racism in football. Especially in Europe, where major tournaments such as the Premier League, La Liga, or Serie A attract millions of fans. In this article, JOLIBET will share with you detailed information about the problem of racism in football!
What is Racism?
Racism is the unfair treatment or hostility towards an individual or group of people based on their race, skin colour, or national origin. In football, this often takes the form of insulting words, discriminatory actions, or hateful expressions towards players of ethnic minorities.
In Europe, where football has a diversity of players, the problem is more serious. Black, African, or South American players are often the target of hostility from a small section of fans or even from opposing players.
Racism in Football: The haunting problem of European football
Racism in European football has been around, but in recent years, it has become increasingly serious.
The Situation in the Premier League
The Premier League, one of the most popular football leagues in the world, is not immune to racism. Despite efforts by governing bodies and clubs to eradicate the problem, racist behaviour continues to be seen in the stands, on the pitch, and even on social media.
A prominent example is the case of black players such as Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, and Bukayo Saka, who were subjected to racist abuse after England’s defeat to Italy in the EURO 2020 final. These players were subjected to hateful and insulting comments based on their ethnicity.
La Liga and Racism
In Spain, La Liga is also a league that regularly faces racist incidents. One of the most prominent recent incidents was the case of Brazilian player Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid. He has been the target of racist abuse from opposing fans at La Liga matches on several occasions.
Although the organizers and clubs have strongly condemned these acts, there is still a long way to go before this problem can be completely eradicated from Spanish football.
Causes of Racism in European Football
Racism in football is not only rooted in social issues but also comes from specific factors related to the sport.
Social prejudice
Europe, despite many advances in human rights and racial equality, still has deep-rooted prejudices against people of color and ethnic minorities. This causes many people to still hold racist views, and football is an environment where those views are expressed openly.
Pressure and stress from fans
In tense matches, the pressure can cause fans to become overexcited. They look for targets to vent their anger on, and black players are often targeted because of their ethnic background.
Lack of strong action from governing bodies
Part of the problem lies in the lack of determination from football governing bodies to deal with racist behaviour. Despite regulations and sanctions, many cases are still limited to warnings or fines.
Attempts to Eliminate Racism from Football
Although racism continues to be a problem in European football, there have been many efforts from governing bodies, clubs, and players to address it.
Campaigns from UEFA and FIFA
UEFA and FIFA, the world’s two leading football governing bodies, have launched several campaigns to eliminate racism in football. One of the most famous campaigns is “No to Racism”. This campaign has been implemented at many major tournaments and has received widespread support from players and clubs.
High-profile players such as Thierry Henry, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo have publicly supported anti-racism campaigns and called on football fans to respect diversity.
Heavy fines from football federations
Many football federations in Europe have begun to take stronger measures to deal with racism. For example, teams can be fined, play behind closed doors, or even be disqualified from the tournament if their fans engage in racist behavior.
In England, the Premier League has also pledged to use technology and stricter regulations to monitor racist behaviour from fans.
