Football is slowly winning the fight against discrimination but the last week has shown complacency has crept in
Over the past few years we at the Football Supporters Federation have been confident that, in partnership with the football authorities and our colleagues at Kick It Out, we have been slowly winning the fight versus discriminatory abuse against footballers and other fans. The number of incidents have been down and so too are the number of arrests.
But the last week has sadly demonstrated that any complacency is a dangerous thing. We were saddened and horrified to see a banana thrown at Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and to hear of alleged homophobic taunts by Huddersfield fans towards Brighton supporters. On top of that we have upsetting images of the allegedly racist abuse Raheem Sterling had to endure at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
If it was racist in nature then we would support action being taken by the police and Chelsea against the individual involved.
When the FA take action against a player for this kind of thing, they require the player to undertake an education programme. This approach could have value for spectators as well. Banning someone from attending games stops them making racist taunts or gestures at a football match, which is important as far as it goes. But it doesn’t tackle what is going on in their head or look at the underlying reason why some feel the need to abuse a player based on the colour of their skin. And they are only at a football game for a few hours a week. A mixture of punishment, protection, education and deterrence is necessary.
I think it would also help if some of those in positions of influence at clubs , such as, in Chelsea’s case, the manager, Maurizio Sarri, or a high-profile player, such as Eden Hazard - comes out and condemns this behaviour too. Fans will listen to them and they can make a difference.
We need all the help we can get in ridding football of this scourge . We have made progress and are proud of our achievements but even one instance of racist abuse is one and there is further work for us all to do.
To that end I am grateful for the work done by Anwar Uddin, the first British Asian to captain a Football League club at Dagenham & Redbridge, who has made a big impact as the FSF’s our Diversity and Campaigns manager, co-ordinating our Fans for Diversity campaign and projects, working alongside organisations such as Kick It Out, who have been our partners for a generation. I do believe that together we have made an impact. If you remember how much abuse there used to be a generation we have come a long way, but we this week has reminded us that we cannot rest on our laurels and the whole football community must redouble our efforts.
It requires all of us to be vigilant. We must call out our fellow supporters if we hear this kind of abuse and inform either the police or stewards.
That vigilance extends to the media. I think Raheem Sterling had a point when he drew attention to the way similar stories are portrayed differently for white and black players. This can influence readers and the way they behave. The way stories are shaped does matter.
It has certainly been a tough week. I offer my sympathies to all those affected and promise that, along with our partners, we are doing everything we can. As a sport football can and must do better.
Malcolm Clarke is the Chairman of the Football Supporters Federation and Supporters' representative on the FA Council
