Racist incidents in sports have been around for a long time, both amidst players and between fans and players. While the outburst of racism in sport is well documented, the frequency of these occurrences is what is now alarming.
There have been a growing number of incidents where players have been subjected to racist taunts from fans in the stadium. Cheering and booing is one thing, but when fans resort to abusive behaviour, it doesn’t bode well. Not just for the sport, but for society in general.
In football black players in particular have been on the receiving end of rough treatment from fans. From a chorus of monkey chants to targeted abuse, players have often had to deal with more than just the pressure of playing at the highest level of the game.
While authorities, both those running the game and those that run a country, have tried to be more proactive in trying to set these right, it is still a long process. Educating the fans, taking a strong stand and sticking to it are some of the first steps that most sports are trying to adhere to.
Sending out a positive message about the issue has also been on the agenda of many sports. These are achieved through public service announcements at the start of the game and by using catchy slogans that send out a clear message.
Did you know?
Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku has played for several clubs across countries during his successful football career. He has been at the receiving end of several racist chants from fans, both those of the opponents and even from those of the clubs he has played for.
Not one to be cowed down, he stands up and speaks vociferously on the subject, making his point as often as he can. He strongly believes that it should not be tolerated and hopes that others after him will not have to endure it either. His message has always been to keep fighting and keep getting stronger.
Picture Credit : Google
