Racism. It's an issue that's been around for centuries. It has caused wars all over the world all throughout history. One would think though that by this time, the twenty first century, it would be resolved enough to be left out of sporing events such as European football. Unfortunately this is not the case, and in games all across the country, players are continually being mocked and taunted for the color of there skin. This is a problem that needs to be changed but unfortunately matters are being left to the players to defend themselves when not much is done but FIFA or the clubs themselves.
Just one year ago, at a club whose players have constantly been abused, an incident occurred where the opposing team's fans would shout monkey chants whenever a player with darker skin would receive the ball. In the twenty third minute of the game, a player named Kevin Prince Boateng received the ball and immediately heard monkey chants from the stands behind him. Without hesitation, Boateng picked up the ball, punted it into the stands, took off his jersey, and walked off the pitch. Although the officials on the field and even the players from the other team urged him to disregard the chants, but he did not head a single word and continued off to the dressing room, but he did not go alone. His whole team followed without question and abandoned the game. This is just one event of many that happen on a regular base throughout each season. The most sad part of this event was it was the most action taken against racism, up until a couple of days ago, in the sport for years. It was not done by FIFA, UEFA, the club, AC Milan, or anyone else, it was done by the player who was being abused.
Another incident arose just two days ago on Sunday, the twenty seventh of April, where a banana was thrown at a player from FC Barcelona while taking a set piece. His reaction, however, was legendary. Dani Alves chose a different approach the action from Boateng, and instead of abandoning the game, he simply picked up the banana, pealed it, and ate it. Alves showed the fan that not only would he not allow this gesture to affect him, but also that he would not let it go unnoticed. In an interview after the game, when asked about it, the Brazilian international said that humor was the best way to combat racism. He went as far to say, “I don’t know who threw the banana but I want to thank him. It gave me the energy to put two more crosses in for our goals” and added that the most effective way to retaliate against something negative is with something positive, in this case the comical action of picking the banana up and taking a few bites. Alves was immediately back by his girlfriend, teammates, and players from all over the world by posting photos of themselves eating bananas on social media sites with the hashtag, #weareallmonkeys.
Racism is something that players are having to deal with almost on a daily basis and must be stopped. Players like these are playing huge parts in the fight, but more needs to be done. Simple comments from FIFA saying that they are issuing a zero tolerance policy against racism every couple of years and not properly enforcing them are not enough. In just the past few years countless of these proclamations have been announced but still nothing seems to change. I, along with millions of others, would hope that FIFA and other governing bodies begin to enforce laws and set more strict punishments on racism in order for something to change. Football is a beautiful game, but problems like this should not be tolerated.
The two players acts can be seen in these videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrKbz9FuV34
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6b7bU3DMiA
