posted by Sam Richards
This video about the prevalence of racism in the world of European soccer should get some conversation going. In comparison to the racism that exists here in the United States, the actions by these sports fans is extreme and vile — like stuff we’d have witnessed here a hundred years ago. And if these sorts of shenanigans happened in our professional sports stadiums, all manner of actions would be taken to stop them. But on that “enlightened” continent of Europe, for one reason or another they continue and are, to be sure, rather common place in many stadiums. (That said, I am certain that most fans do not support the barbarians clamoring at the turnstyles.)
As you watch the video, keep in mind a couple of things. First, while the video depicts events that are four years old, very little (if anything at all) has changed. European football organizations have taken the initiative to put a stop to the actions of fans, but they’ve not made much headway. Second, this is less about race and more about culture and the perceived threats related to immigration and the growing numbers of “dark skinned” peoples from southern countries, especially those of sub-Sarahan Africa. Europe is in the middle of an unprecedented cultural transformation stemming from widening immigration flows and (white) people are afraid they’re losing their hold on their cultures. This does not excuse their actions and thinking, but it should clarify it a bit and it must be considered in order to understand the causes and consequences of the behavior.
The video is very unnerving, to say the least, but I’m sure it will lead you to pause and reflect on just how far we have come in dealing with our own racism.
I am writing in response to Sam Richards' post, "Racism Looks Pretty Mild on this Side of the Atlantic". This article really opened up my eyes to how much racism is an issue in Europe. I was completely unaware this issue has surfaced itself again, since World War II. Racist comments seem like a commonplace in the European world of soccer, and it's hard to understand why because the players are playing for the racist fan's home teams. Unlike the United States where professional athletics is a way to establish unity between races, it seems like it is just the opposite in Europe. From reading the post and watching the video, it is disturbing to hear stories of these athletes, images of the Nazi party, and harsh words and actions from screaming fans.
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This video is most definitely upsetting, but also educational. Sure, it makes our issues with racism look somewhat subdued. I say "somewhat" because I believe we have our fair share of such behavior, but maybe we are just exempt from the extreme racism in sports category. HOWEVER, we were not always. Are we forgetting such athletes as Jackie Robinson, Jack Johnson, or 1966's NCAA Basketball Championship team from Texas Western (just to name a few)? In Sports Illustrated, Bill Nack wrote, "Robinson was the target of racial epithets and flying cleats, of hate letters and death threats, of pitchers throwing at his head and legs, and catchers spitting on his shoes." This is worse than what European soccer players are facing. Boxer, Jack Johnson, was the reason whites would never take on black opponents for so many years. They were fearful of defeat by a black. The possibility of such a situation was more symbolic or meaningful than just the loss of a match. And I think we would all agree that Texas Western's 1966 team received anything but a warm welcome when they played Kentucky for the title. It is easy to look at what is going on in that video and be shocked or outraged but not too long ago, it was the same here. Whites in America reacted the same way to this "threat" of incoming people of different colors, races, and ethnicities I am acknowledging we have a long way with our racism and do not want to take away from that.. Europe is just facing significant change like we did and adjusting to the fear of losing their culture. What I think is most remarkable in this story is how these players carry themselves with the elegance and dignity. Perhaps, such players as Marco Zoro or Thierry Henry are the Jackie Robinson or Jack Johnson's of their time. As we have come a long way from our days of throwing cleats and refusing to play blacks, hopefully so will Europe.
Lastly, what this also brings to my attention is this static vs dynamic complex with such problems as racism. The problem of racism seems to be static, having existed for so long and become almost a fixture of a society. All that seems to change are the victims or subjects. Years ago it was the Italians and Irish then we shifted to Blacks. It is the constant under current of racism that remains and the people change. In this situation, this fear or lack acceptance remains, but once it was Blacks in typically White sports and now it is minorities such as Africans in European sports. I wonder if it will ever change or just keep shifting?
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WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!! Now that is intense right there! I would never imagine that racism occurred like that just in 2004! Like I'm really speechless right now. For this to professional Soccer, you would think that people would know better and know how to act in public. I can only imagine how the players felt, to have to go through this torture while playing a game that they love, wait forget I said game, while trying to achieve and be the best in their career. To have bananas being thrown at you, to be spit on, to be called racial slurs, that have to really hurt. And I can understand why the player lost their tempers and was ready to attack back.
What I think is even more unbelievable, is that these people know that the games are being played on national TV, and they still think it is okay for them to act like that. Its makes me wonder where did this wild behavior come from? Why do they think that they are doing nothing wrong? And why their government allowing for this to happen?
I refuse to believe that people are born this way! That a human being can be sooooo openly violent and races to another human being! Is it that Soccer so important to them that they feel the need to, in every way possible distract, and manipulate the other components like that. Are they really just trying to do everything in their to help their team win and or possible lose by being so disrespectful. I'm sorry but this is just really hard for me to wrap my head around this video clip.
And then the coach, that took the cake for me! How can a coach act like that towards his own players? One of his best players at that! And for him to think that it wasn't gone get around, that the other player wasn't going to say anything! People are crazy. Not to mention that he didn't even think he did anything wrong. I do not even live in Europe or never been there, but this madness has to stop. It is 2010 now, I do not know what have been done to improve this continent but I hope and pray that it is not like how it was back in 2004.
For the people in Europe that saw this video clip and saw their faces, I hope it scarred them for life, I hope it open up their eyes for them to see how the world should not act in a public space; I hope they feel stupid and worthless. But I also hope that they will learn, and change, and become better people, so that they can help raise the next generation of Soccer fans how to act. To teach them that racism is not a cool, beautiful or nice thing. But that it is not necessary, that it hurts people and that it will bring terrible karma.
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This video was very shocking even for crazy European soccer fans. Europe may be ahead of the United States in certain aspects but race relations isn't one of them, this was not some isolated incident. I can't imagine going to Beaver Stadium on a Saturday afternoon and hear racist remarks coming from the stands, there are some nasty things said to the visiting team but its all in good fun. The most shocking part about the video is that most of the people don't seem very upset over what is taking place. If some did something like that in the United States security people would remove the people from the stadium. Lots of people like to blame the United States for the worlds problems but at least we are slowly moving forward in regards to race relations.
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Wow! I cannot believe that in this day and age such a thing could be going on! I think it is so ridiculous that people still feel they are "superior" to others. I mean what the hell makes you so special? Is it because you're white? Well I'm white and there is nothing special about it. No offense but it's true. I'm so sick of people acting like they are better just because you were born into a certain race or circumstance. No! You're special when you accomplish something worth being deemed special, like becoming President or curing cancer. Until you do something amazing like that, please stop thinking you're so superior and just sit down and shut up.
I also cannot believe that it is European fans that are doing this. I thought Europeans were supposed to be classy and looked down on us Americans. Well, at least we don't taunt and ridicule our sports figures because they are black. Sure, there is probably some guy out there, here in America, that is living in a trailer on welfare and still believe that they are better than a black man working on Wall Street, simply because they're white. Well, i'm sorry, but that guy is an idiot and thankfully is no longer the majority in this county. This video makes it seem like there are a growing number of European soccer fans that are so racist its disgusting. These people are you're star players sometimes in a game that you claim to love and be huge fans of. Well, if you love the game so much then support your team and all members of it, regardless of their skin color.
I was quite frankly shocked by the actions of both the coach in the video and FIFA. That coach is a disgrace to his profession and aside from knowing better, should have been fired, no questions asked. FIFA should be doing their job as the administration. Step up and be leaders since that is what you are supposed to be doing. Hand out fines for such discrimination and racism. Fine the coaches, the players, but mostly the fans. Being allowed to go to a game should be earned. I think that if a fan is cited with such discrimination then they should get a fine and a warning that the next time it happens they will be banned from the stadium. I know it’s a fantasy that could probably never be achieved, but at least it would send a message.
The European soccer fans need to realize that what they are doing is so wrong. I’m not one to put my views onto others, but I think that this is one of those situations in which everyone can agree it’s wrong. People should not be judged by what they look like or where they come from, but simply by who they are and what they do in this life.
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I was probably most proud of what the one player, Henry, did. His actions show that he is indeed a great man and a great role model. He could have done anything. He could have gotten mad, walked off the field, or even given the people back a taste of their own medicine. I think his campaign with the various sports figures and with Nike, is the perfect response. FIFA doesn't appear to be making any progress in, or frankly even caring, about the matter. They need more players and role models like Henry to stand up and call out to the fans to change the way they act.
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He acted in a mature and in a much respected fashion. He is trying to make a change and make a difference in the way people act. I thought it was so inspiring to hear say that he hopes his video shows the people in the stands that even if it is just one fan, that is one fan too many. He's right and I hope that his video has made a difference if even a small one in the way European soccer fans conduct themselves while watching a match and in how they treat their players. He shows us that acting on something to help make a change, can make a difference, if even a small one.
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To be honest I am not shocked or surprised to see Europeans acting this way towards blacks. For what I've seen throughout my life and expierenced I believe a large perenctage of whites just honestly dont want blacks around. The primary reason that those Spaniards were acting that way is because they are free and able to. They know they wont be looked down at because in that society its "ok" to be racist or just simply dislike blacks. They also feel a sense of strength in the numbers and secure because they out number blacks. Also, I would bet that another reason why they feel that freedom to be racist is because they've been drinking alcohol and they feel loose. Im sure alot of the whites that were shouting racist profanity at blacks work with blacks at their jobs. They arent mean or racist to them when they see them at work but in that soccer stadium environment they are able to let loose and show their other side. Their true side. Racism in America is not mild compared to Europe. Its just very discreet. In our society people care what others think about them so even if someone is racist and wants to say racist things they usually dont because they care about what other people think. I believe if you put a hand full of average white Americans in that crowd (European soccer match) they would join in and shout whatever everyone else is shouting. "Its the mob mentality" There is just too many blacks in America for this to happen at any sports event.. this would lead to a huge brawl in any American arena or stadium, but there isnt much blacks in Europe so there isnt much resistance. Also to think that that sort of racism they depicted in the video is worst then the rasicm we have in America would be wrong. Well of course if a white person watches that video they would think…wow that black guy is getting pelted with alot of racism and hatred, at least in America blacks dont recieve such blunt and blaytin hatred. Although that is true blacks in America do not get racism remarks said to them so openly. However, racism in America is alot worst then getting shit shouted out you in a soccer game. The racism in America is quiet, discreet, and hidden. Going through a day and going through small acts of racism day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year is so much harder to deal with then getting it all in one afternoon. Its sort of like whats more painful getting bit once by a poisonous snake and dying, or getting bit thousands of times by non poisonous snakes and eventually bleeding to death…I'd say the second option.
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Having attended a few European football matches, I can attest to the fact European football fans are more vocal, rowdier, and more passionate than their American counterparts, including Philadelphia fans (don't worry I'm not making fun of them, I'm one myself and proud of it!). They've grown up their whole lives living and breathing their local club's football team, while learning to despise everything about their competitors. Team spirit is nothing bad- it can bring people together and inspire an entire country. The problem is when, as this video portrays, things get personal. And I'm not talking about the comments we've all heard and said ourselves, the "you suck!"'s and the "sit down!"s. These derogatory comments are related to skill and are often warranted. I'm not saying they're alright to say, but no athlete is perfect and they learn to expect criticism if they don't perform to their best ability, the reason they are on their respective teams.
However, comments about race have nothing to do with skill level and should be left out of the conversation completely. I don't quite understand how these racist fans think that they have the right to put any of these black players down because of their race. They certainly cannot comment on their playing skills, seeing as they are some of the best players in the world. So my guess is that they resort to racism, to give them a reason to dislike them. To me, this idea is incredibly juvenile- didn't we stop the name calling when we left 4th grade? Obviously you want your team to win, but verbally abusing members of the other team is not going to get you the W.
Although technically these racist fans are exercising free speech, I think FIFA and the entire coalition of football organizations need to put their foot down and have harsher punishments for racist behavior. Fans who exhibit any form of this behavior should be rejected without question, and their future admission to any football games should be reviewed. Of course this is only a small plug in a huge hole. Steps should be taken around the continent to teach all citizens, young and old, football fans and non-football fans, the horrors and consequences of racism. Clearly people think it is acceptable to harbor racist thoughts, which is a problem that is much larger than a string of comments yelled at a football game.
I commend every black football player who has ever been a victim to this racism. To ignore the slurs and actions that are deliberately attempting to disturb them shows how great these players' characters are. It is a shame that this continent's great football tradition now harbors this horrible racism and I hope that it can be eradicated before it ruins the game forever.
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Wow! I am completely astonished by this video and this blog written. It is so absurd, unnecessary and rude for this type of behavior to be viewed and tolerated. This type of situation is a message to the world that people’s mindset and actions are not where they should be today. If this type of behavior were to have occurred hundreds of years ago, people would not have even blinked an eye. But the fact that the world has evolved into a completely different community of people, this issue needs to be brought up and also brought to a stop.
Racism in the world today should not be tolerated. Nor should it even be an issue. I am completely stunned and astonished by the actions of the fans in the video posted on the blog. They do not understand the severity of their actions and the message that they are portraying to the world. Other nations watch these types of clips and they get an understanding of where these European countries are at culturally. If they feel as if this behavior is appropriate and should be allowed, their nations government needs to take a second, observe what is going on and figure out a plan of action. These nations need to look at how other countries are developing with their modern ways. Other countries such as the United States who strive to live in peace and unity have not had any open acts of aggression or acceptable acts of aggression. This type of aggression solely causes rifts in society and gives people ideas of organizing hate crimes and rebellious actions. With this type of mindset, we have gone farther in many more ways than one and we can be proud of this type of message that is given out among the people. With being more united and more of a tight community we have strived in fields of business and many other aspects of our society.
For example, having a society that accepts other people’s nationalities and cultures has given us an up in business relations. We can advance our self by working with countries like China, India and various other countries to help progress further in fields of education and business.
The part of the clip that I thought that was very effective of putting the point across of these racist actions is when a fan is calling out to the soccer goalie about not caring if he is brown or orange but to just leave. This fan is solely thinks that it is okay to portray a message like this. If people think that these acts of violence and hate are acceptable, the European governments need to take charge and deal with this matter.
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This makes me think of Green Street Hooligans for some reason. The soccer (football) teams in England have "firms" who associate themselves with the team, acting as an organized group of fans (constituting groups of hooligans who in some cases rival the size of criminal gangs) who pick fights with firms of other teams. Of course the football teams do not endorse this, but fans will organize themselves regardless. These fights usually end up becoming brawls involving 20, 30, 40, or even more, people. These rumbles get so violent that rival hooligans, as well as bystanders and riot police, are often hospitalized or killed.
Organized groups like this are much more widespread in Europe than in America, especially involving soccer. The drunk fans chanting racist words would never do such a thing standing by themselves in the stands, but when the group mentality takes over, they go crazy.
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I was kind of taken back by this video, it was pretty surprising. I was aware of the hooligan fans that love European soccer, but I wasn't aware of all the racism and discrimination. One of the hardest parts to figure out for me is, why they love causing a ruckus more than enjoying the game. I think the stadium environment has a negative impact on the situation, it's like an amphitheater for the drunken fans to chant their beliefs. The hooligans already have some sort of predisposition for letting their emotions be known, soccer games are like a matter of life and death it seems. The fact that they are discriminating the best players of the league, the ones with the most dedication to the sport, leads me to believe they have no respect for the GOOD of the game.
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Though horrible and animalistic this video does not even surprise me. Through out skimming through some of my classmates responses I have viewed several comments referring to free speech. My only answer to that is bull crap! With this situation freedom of speech should not even be applied. I say this because no matter what way shape or form you put it this is racism at it's finest! I beleive that freedom of speech should be applied in circumstances such as voiceing what you beleive in when dealing with situations that can either harm or hnder someone from their right as a human being. So if individuals want to continue to voice their opinions on abortion or death penalty then so be it.(though I do not practice these actions). But in the case of these football players I feel that it is misused and used as a way to cover up blatant racism. These players did nothing to harm anyone. If anything they are a positive influences and should not be showered with racial slurs along with items thrown at them. They are devoted players and represent the team in which these fans were there to support. Many of them the top players as it was evident when their own coach displayed his two-faced personality.
I sometimes ponder if we are any better in the U.S. i sometimes feel that if we were not such an exemplatory and dominant country, whould we allow this behavior also. Though we have come a long way from past centuries we still remain indiffrent towards each other based on color and culture. Being African American I see this difference in my everyday life. Though people here do not just come right out and say it the thought is there. It is also many times expressed. When situations such as this are brought up many Americans gasp and shun away in horror that a human being could be so cruel. However, I often wonder if they are surprised at the very act of the racism or the fact that they are openly expressing it. Sure these kind of actions will seemingly never be tolerated in the states, but it pains me to wonder just how many people can relate to wanting to carry out these actions if given the chance. This leads me to put into perspective would I rather know who my enemies were from their direct and forward(though horrible) opinions or live with people who try not to pay me too much mind or act as if they accept me when I know that they do not. Though because it is not socially accepted they are not able to voice their true feelings without shame bestowed upon them or being looked at as the word that they are deathly afraid of being called "a racist".
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Though horrible and animalistic this video does not even surprise me. Through out skimming through some of my classmates responses I have viewed several comments referring to free speech. My only answer to that is bull crap! With this situation freedom of speech should not even be applied. I say this because no matter what way shape or form you put it this is racism at it's finest! I beleive that freedom of speech should be applied in circumstances such as voiceing what you beleive in when dealing with situations that can either harm or hnder someone from their right as a human being. So if individuals want to continue to voice their opinions on abortion or death penalty then so be it.(though I do not practice these actions). But in the case of these football players I feel that it is misused and used as a way to cover up blatant racism. These players did nothing to harm anyone. If anything they are a positive influences and should not be showered with racial slurs along with items thrown at them. They are devoted players and represent the team in which these fans were there to support. Many of them the top players as it was evident when their own coach displayed his two-faced personality.
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As a young adult I realized that racism will always get the best of America if we let it. I look at racism in a whole different way. As a young child we learned what not to do to be called "races" but we never was taught how to deal with it if it came our way. After watching the video above, I realize that racism still exist in the most prevalent places. i would have never thought to go to a soccer game and see fans or anyone bash someone of there own hometown the way it was shown. I believe that some people and places are ignorant to the change for the better.
After being face with different situations in my own life, racism does impact the way you feel around certain people, that you feel are different. I believe racism will always change and be covered up to some degree. There will never be a time when we say racism does not exist!. I feel that its one preference to be that way. I just don't understand how that can be when the president of the united states is an African American male with inherently dark skin. I would think that some would think twice before making a races comment or doing anything races towards others. I generally understand that times are different and some people want to keep a head on their culture but its a pure distinction between ignorance and prevalence here in America. I feel what happend at the stadium was very uncalled for and disrespectful. Not only did the people disrespect themselves but there culture. When standing up for something you believe is right whether its races or not, its a certain way to do things. I think what most people don't realize is that not only will they be judged but Europe is now judged by many. Honestly, until I read and saw the articles about the soccer game, i was interested in going this summer after graduation. I have decided against going there now. I personally don't believe in bashing others cultures. I was brought up in a hostile environment, learning about racism and all the things that happend in the past as far as slavery was not easy. We as society learned to become wiser and better with decisions and giving others chances so I would never want to look back to those devastating time again. Its moment like the European soccer game that make people like me change there views. Maybe if I didn't want to make a better life for my children or family in the future I would act the same way, instead I see the drastic changes that America has went threw to make the lives of others better. As a country I feel that most should be embarrassed by the video and should want to change it with no hesitation.
Hopefully not only did the fans and people who engaged in this ignorance learn what they have done but the people who were outside looking in should definitely appreciate the difference in most countries reaction to race. To appreciate, I mean understand and accept all ignorance and learn to be different. Learning about different racism acts around the world does not surprise me even now in 2010 with Barack Obama being our president.
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The clip involving European racism was mainly about how the denial of people, mainly European soccer fans, brought about in an environment such as a soccer match, has caused explosive extremisms in the stands. Specific black players and other “dark skinned” athletes have been targeted with direct racism from fans from both home and away teams. For example, for Sicilian’s team Messina, player Mark Zoro, fans made a banner reading “Peanuts and bananas are the pay for your infamy” causing him to stop play by picking up the ball and threatening to leave the game. Similarly for Barcelona, player Samuel Eto’o, he was presented with “monkey” chants every time he touched the ball in a game which caused him to stop play as well. As for why many cases of avert displays racism like the afore mentioned are found at these soccer games happen because there has been no such event like Civil Rights Movement comparable to that in the U.S. Another reason being there are so few black Europeans.
I have noticed that many European countries contain many far-right political parties which have been known to dehumanize as well as teach a sense of fear of black and other ethnic or multi-cultured immigrants which when mixed with the excitement, and potential explosive environment of a European soccer game, can lead to such racist acts. Acts carried out by other coaches and players to me are unacceptable and so the fact that they let the then French coach Luis Aragones continue to coach and only have fined him $5,000 for his racial slurs tells me that there is not enough control over the organized soccer league and cruel behavior is enabled. Hateful actions done on the field as well as in the stands are completely overlooked and that is wrong. Europe’s national soccer federation has taken no responsibility. Apparently FIFA has left rules regarding behavior of fans and players up to the decisions of the individual country; however because of the upcoming World Cup to be carried out, FIFA’s president has made rules that will penalize teams whose players, fans, and whoever that engages in inappropriate racial behavior. While those are positive steps being taken to help mitigate racial conduct, I do not appreciate it to the fullest because it was only brought on because the World Cup is so heavily broadcasted internationally. I found this article interesting because not only is it dealing with the sport of soccer but a more deeply rooted issue of racial prejudices that have stemmed from immigration flows and the introduction of blacks and other races into a pool of scared, white Europeans. Resolutions are probably near on the horizon but like most social issues, violence, deaths, and hurt will undoubtedly take place before
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First, I would like to say that soccer has and will always be one of my favorite sports/past times and although I do not understand why so many people across Europe chose to act in such a disgusting and unacceptable manner, I do however understand the cultural standpoint that comes with the chants and bigotry the audience and fans of European soccer clubs partake in. This however, does not mean I condone, at all, the things that are being said, and done. Sam does have a point in that this is possibly the "white mans" way of regulating what seems to be the immigrants from more southern/african countries "taking over" of the sport. It is a fact that a decent portion of the more talented soccer players are colored. Theese athletes do nothing to encite the reaction of the crowds, but after studying this topic in past classes I know that in the past, people of color were not always allowed to participate in soccer matches. I also know that colored individuals were not the only group discriminated against. Jews, Muslims, and Asians are all groups of athletes that the "white man" has for years, ridiculed and taunted.
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I also know that colored individuals were not the only group discriminated against. Jews, Muslims, and Asians are all groups of athletes that the "white man" has for years, ridiculed and taunted. ____The funny part to this entire situation however, is that it is these very fans that are paying these very athletes, millions and millions of dollars to do what they love. Play soccer. The meer fact that they have to deal with such hate to do job they enjoy doing is horrible in itself, it is as if a person would be heckled and ridiculed for working at a bank because they were short, but at the same time, these athletes are being payed millions and millions of dollars, that re coming out of these very fans pockets. So in the end, what goes around comes around.
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____I'm not saying that because the athletes are being payed so much money they should take the abuse though. But what should be done is regulation and stricter rules put in place, to control the fans of the more outragious clubs. Every league in Europe has a governing body who every week place restrictions and deal financial penalties for things as small as taking your shirt of on field. Although I do know of cases where governing bodies have enacted financial penaties to clubs for the actions of their fans, these penalities are not enough. What FIFA and the individual league's regulators need to do, if they ever hope to stop the rediculous treatment of such talented athletes, is start to take away wins/points from the teams with these fans. Fans, no matter how racist, or how bigoted they are, are still fans, that want their respectvie club to do well. By taking away points from these teams (majority of the teams that have fans that do things of this nature are on the lower to middle half of the league rankings) fans will realize that what their doing will no longer be tolerated. ____.
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And to those who think that we are "more respectful" to the black athletes in America. The fact is, although fans dont' take it to the extent of those found in Europe, racism and taunting happen in our Country too. Comments such as "he's black so he should run faster" and the like, may not seem as racist as say tossing a banana at a black man on field, but they are still remarks towards a colored individual that is seperating him or her from the rest of the population. Racism is not something that will ever stop, however it can be regulated, and controlled, to icolated incidents. Once the higher up powers realize this situation in Europe and finally do something about it, then maybe we can see a change one day soon
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This is just crazy how blatantly racist soccer fans in Europe are! In America we think racism is minimal and damn near over, but this video shed some light on how we are still on bad terms in destroying racism. For the fans to heckle and harass some of the BEST soccer players in the WORLD is mind-boggling! Can you imagine if people tried to do that to Michael Jordan? What about Ray Lewis or Jerry Rice? It is one thing for a fan to just talk about how bad the team is or whatever, but it is a whole 'nother thing entirely too openly yell racial slurs. And even the coach talked about a reputed soccer player and it was on television. Maybe he was just trying to motivate his players. Maybe he is a part of the Ku Klux Klan. I do not know that, but I do know that he is supposed to set an example and that is not the right way to do it. Nobody wants to be playing in a big important game and you are already under a lot of stress and pressure, and then you get bananas and God knows what else thrown at you while you are on the field. I could not even imagine. I could see if it was the Away team's fans, but it is your HOME team's fans. And then most of the stadium chanted "MONKEY" when the guy had the ball, I could see why he just could not take it anymore.
We all have to learn to respect one another and adhere to each other’s feelings. At the end of the day, we are all different, whether it is looks, or culture, or even playing style. People are scared and apprehensive about things that are unfamiliar to them; they just have to be educated about new things. We have to stop being close-minded and learn to be more open-minded. The way these people are acting you would think it was 1950, when we are actually in the 21st Century. Stuff has changed and will only change more so we should all just get used to it. The only way to eradicate racism is to learn about ALL cultures and know that there are going to be people in ALL races who are just bad apples, but they shouldn't spoil the whole bunch. Don't let one person make or change your views about the whole race.
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This video was so disturbing to watch. These professional soccer players whoa re paid millions are disrespected because theyre black; still? It makes me appreciate that i live in america even tough we have our own demons with racism to deal with. I just know that we would never see this kind of behavior in any mainstream form of a sports game because i guess were advanced in the sense that we respect and glorify true talent. This comparison with europe and the u.s makes me feel relieved that we as americans have come a long way from segregation and outright public racism but we need to spread the awareness internationally. Soccer is the most internationally played sport and yet they have the most racist european fans. One of the commentators in the video brought up a good point when he talked about the older man that coach for the spanish team. The coach was trying to amp up his players by taunting them and telling them no to let the black player beat him because hes better than him. The coach tried to say that its a training tactic and that if the black player were fat that he would use his fatness to taunt him so that his own player would have an incentive to beat him in a game for it. Bullshit. Just like the commentator said, there has not been a history of fat people being killed tortured and seen as a 2nd class citizen because of their body weight. Knocking someone down because of their color is unacceptable. Some of the laws FIFA is trying to implement sound great but theres always corruption. Strict law obligation must be incorporated as well as the 3 point disqualification. These coaches for the soccer teams are old and have an old way of thinking. They still see being black as lower class and it being ok to talk down to them. If this was happening in an american football game, it wouldnt even happen. Im glad that our country is decades ahead of the rest of europe but i would still like for the whole world to reach the ultimate point of equality. I know its idealistic but it can happen. We just need the older generation to die out along with their old frame of mind. Out with the old in with the new is what comes to mind when i see this display of hate. I thought these die hard soccer players would at least appreciate the fact that they have the best players in the soccer federation but an enclosed mind loses a lot.
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