Understand the meaning of the terms `prejudice` and `discrimination`

Cultural Diversity In & Through Sport

Lesson Four: Racism and Sport

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Learning Outcomes By the end of the session you should be able to:

• Describe the term racism • Identify how racism is manifested using sporting examples • Examine own attitudes towards racism

• Explain the consequences of prejudice and discrimination • Identify ways in which attitudes can be challenged

Task: Warm Up Group work: • Work in groups and identify various stereotypes that exist of different ethnicities

• Try to think of both positive and negative stereotypes

Definition of Racism • Racism is the belief that people are inferior because they are of a different ethnicity or cultural background • Quite often racism is prejudice backed up by power, this is called “Institutional Racism”

In the USA white and non-white citizens were legally segregated until 1964.

Racism in Football Black and minority football players have experienced racism from fans in England: • Many black players who played in Britain, particularly during the 1970's and 1980's faced racial abuse from the crowds • This abuse was in many forms, and included monkey chanting and throwing bananas onto the pitch. • Even though, as Rio Ferdinand acknowledges, this is less frequent during today's matches, it does still happen, particularly in Europe.

Racism in European Football • ESPN report on racism in European football:

Click here.

Comments of Racism • “Prejudice and racism in any part of life is not acceptable, and football should be no different.” Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager • “You have to look beyond race because as a human being you have to experience the person from the inside first.” Henrik Larsson, Retired Swedish footballer and current manager • “Hating people because of their colour is wrong. And it doesn't matter which colour does the hating. It's just plain wrong.” Muhammad Ali, former professional boxer

Kick Racism Out of Football • A campaign video from Kick Racism Our of Football (1996). After watching, discuss the message of the video?

Click here.

Show Racism the Red Card • A campaign video from Kick Racism Our of Football (2008). After watching, discuss the message of the video?

Click here.

Task: Racism Discussion In groups, discuss the following questions: • How do you think the authorities should deal with the racist fans? • Have you ever experienced or seen racism in school or on the

pitch? If so, how did you feel? If not, how would you feel? • What policies does your club/school have to combat racism?

Case Studies A collection of articles covering recent cases of racism in sport: • Abiola Wabara – a black basketball player in Italy was racially abused and spat on by “fans”. Click here. • Suarez and Evra – after Suarez was suspended for eight matches for racial abuse, he refused to shake hands with Evera. Click here. • John Terry – an English footballer was cleared of racial abuse claimed by fellow

footballer, Anton Ferdinand. Click here. • Sepp Blatter – the president of FIFA denies there is racism on the pitch. Click here.

Racism: Challenging Bahaviour Porto fined €16,700 by UEFA - April 2012 • The club was fined for their “fans‘” racial abuse of Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure.

• Both players were subjected to monkey taunts during a game at the Estadio do Dragao, Portugal • For an article covering the issue, click here.

Racism: Challenging Bahaviour Man Charged for Racist Gesture - April 2012 • A man was charged with making racist gestures during an FA Cup tie between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield in January.

• He was charged with a racially aggravated public order offence. • For an article covering the issue, click here.

Racism: Challenging Bahaviour Police Investigate James Perch Twitter Abuse - April 2012 • Newcastle United defender James Perch has allegedly become the latest footballer to be racially abused online.

• The comment was posted after Newcastle’s 2-0 victory over Liverpool • For an article covering the issue, click here.

Racism and the Law • In the UK, the Race Relations Act (1976) protects individuals from being discriminated against on the grounds of ethnicity, nationality, religious beliefs or ethnicity. • This Act does not distinguish between whether racist practices were done on purpose or not, it is concerned only with the fact that racial discrimination occurred. • This Act covers discrimination faced in employment, education as well as in sporting arenas

Combating Racism We can combat racism in life and in sport by: • Having a greater awareness among fans and players • Including more ethnic minority players in sports • Taking a stronger stance taken by authorities, Governing Bodies etc. • Implementing the EU’s White Paper on Sport • Carrying out national campaigns such as Show Racism the Red Card • Carrying out national & international campaigns against racism in sport • Including equality clauses in athletes contracts

Thought for the Day • A controversial advertisement from the UN:

Click here.