The Ugly Side Of The Beautiful Game.

As time has gone, generations passed and knowledge extended, racism be it still ever present it has slowed in the general community. We would all agree that racism has no place in the community or on any front be it in the street, shops, the work place or at sporting events. Still yet players and in fact people must put up with and turn a blind eye to the populous who persist in being vulgar and hurtful.


But this being a football column we will focus on events in football. Racism isn't just targeted at the players, it is against managers, officials, supporters and even as far as family members of the listed. Below some of these events are listed: 

• • Zola Matumona left FC Brussels after accusations that club Chairman Johan Vermeersch was quoted to say "Think about other things than trees and bananas."
  • In 1994 now mega star shot stopper Julio Cesar was denied entry to a German Nightclub during his stay at Borussia Dortmund for the complexion of his skin.
  • In March 2006 in a match between FC Sachen Leipzig and Hallescher FC Liepzig's Nigerian player Adebowale Ogunbure was spat at and called a 'Nigger' and an 'ape' by opposition supporters. In retaliation he put two fingers to his lips and saluted the crowd, a well known Adolf Hitler gesture. Ogunbure was arrested after the game as Nazi gestures are illegal in Germany.
  • February 2011 Roberto Carlos received a pass from his goalkeeper and just as he was about to pass it off a Banana was thrown on the pitch and landed by him, he picked it up and tossed it over the sideline and walked off the pitch before the final whistle raising two fingers indicating this is the second time it has happened.
  • Felix Dja Ettien played for Levante and claimed racial abuse through out his stay at the Spanish club. He was ignored by his coach because of his inability to speak Spanish and whenever he was sick was accused of having ' AIDS' or ' Malaria'
  • In 2005 while star striker Samuel Eto'o was playing for Barcelona he was a subject to racial abuse in an away game against Real Zaragoza. The Real fans would make monkey noises every time Eto'o gained possession of the ball and threw peanuts onto the pitch. Eto'o went to leave the ground mid game but was calmed down by fellow players and match officials. After the Game the referee said there was nothing to report during the game and the treatment was normal. The following year he was greeted by the same jeering and Eto'o protested and walked to the sideline and has been seen quoting ' No Mas ' (No More) Eto'o now refuses to take his children to games due to the abuse.
  • In 2004 Ron Atkinson a famous Football pundit was caught red-faced and handed live on air making a remark when he thought the microphone was off about the African orientated player Marcel Desailly. Atkinson was caught saying ' he [Desailly] is what is known in some schools as a lazy thick nigger '
  • Following Israeli Manger Avram Grant appointment to West ham in 2007 Grant has been the subject of anti-Semitic taunts from some Chelsea supporters. Grant's father was a Polish survivor of the German Nazi Holocaust. It's well noted that Grant has also received death threats and anti-Semitic post.
  • Mario Balotelli was also racially abused by Juventus and ironically Intermilan supporters during his stint at Intermilan. A well documented incident is after Intermilan racially abused Balotelli he scored the match winning goal and put his fingers to his lips indicating for the crowd to hush. As he left the pitch he took off his Intermilan jersey and left it on the pitch in protest.
  • In 2011 a section of Arsenal support mocked the killing of three members of the Togo camp during the African Cup of Nations last January, which Adebayor survived in Arsenals 2-1 defeat to rivals Tottenham. 

Rangers Players Promoting Awareness

But it's not all bad, there are things in practice to make football a more hospitable place with the  ' Show Racism The Red Card ' charity which was established in England in 1996. The charity produces educational resources such as DVDs, education packs, magazines, and posters. There are also notable members such as - Sol Campbell, Robbie Earle, Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Shay Given, Thierry Henry and Shaka Hislop.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are numerous incidents and problems still going on today in society and football and clearly it is unwanted. But there are practices in play to make the football experience and society in regards to racism a better place. Hopefully one day we can appreciate the beautiful game with out so much background noise.