Kick Out- Racists or Racism?

The past few weeks have been terrible for football, from the controversial refereeing decisions to the racist abuse received by the players from supporters and not forgetting the introduction of diving into the sport which was once known for the last man standing contest.
This week however, I will like to address the issue of racism, which has of course caught the public eye and made football a hated sport for many. 

Racism- according to Dictionary.com is defined as hatred or intolerance of another race or other races. However, in today's world the word Racism is used very lightly and in the slightest of issues, calling someone blind, funny, bold headed, or any other adjective is now termed as Racism. Hence, just because you hit someone's bag with your knee or made fun of his hair style- you're regarded as a Racist. Probably its time the word Racism or Racist are defined well enough to educate the public about its use and to force them to avoid using it.

The issue of racism in football is nothing new, it has existed since 1930's when Dixie Dean- Everton striker was racially abused by a supporter at half time in London. He decided to take matters in his own hands and punched the offender, there was no action taken against Dixie. 

From then on racism was rampant, Steve Mokone was abused by his manager at Coventry City, Roger Verdi had to change his name from Rajinder Singh Birdi, Paul Canoville, Gareth Crooks, Cyrille Regis  were all subjected to abuse from the crowd whilst playing for their respective teams.  

In 1988, football was put to utmost shame when a banana was thrown at Liverpool player John Barnes by the Everton fans who then chanted "Everton are white". Other players to have been racially abused are Stan Collymore, El Hadj Diouf, Jason Euell,  Dean Howell, Patrice Evra, Dider Zokora, Anton Ferdinand, Danny Rose and Chek Tiote.

John Barnes Back Heels A Banana Thrown At Him.

The above incidents have brought the footballing world to shame, and more so has made this world an insecure place to live in. Times have come when people are judged by their skin color, and their nationality- something that is against Humanity. Everyone, despite their race, color, age, gender, religion or any ethnic related issues are supposed to be treated equally.
After reviewing the above incidents, I realized that the problem is not with the game, but the problem lies within ourselves as humans. We are to be blamed for the racism existing today not only in the footballing world but the world as a whole. It is the absence of good morals and improper upbringing of our future generations, and the ignorance showed by the elders of the society.

Good Morals and Upbringing:  
In today's world, most of the young generation have failed to show good morals. The days whereby you would pop in at your neighbor's to say hello, lift shopping bags for the elderly, assist a mother to take the baby wheelchair up the staircase, give a smile to the person walking by- are no more there. Everyone is busy with their own world, with making money, chasing lust and selfish desires- little do they realize the damage it has caused to the world. Very few of us would take a stand in a racial related incident, few of us would sit next to a different color person on the tube, train or bus- barely because we consider ourselves the "Mighty" ones. Good morals come as a result of religion, something that has been fading all over the world. Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism do not support racism and have always encouraged good relations amongst fellow human beings. If every parent took the initiative to spend a little few hours with the child and explain him or her that all humans are to be treated equally, then it is no doubt that this world would be a better place to live in. 

Ignorance by the elders of the society:
As a child, everyone has a role model that they look up to, someone who inspires them, someone they try to imitate and they love dearly. In the present generations, when elders of the society have turned out to be racists, ill mannered and less caring- it is of no surprise that the generations to come will be nothing but worse. Take an example, when a child looks up to John Terry- he or she would basically be influenced by everything JT does and he will make sure he does everything he can to be like JT. Therefore, the root cause is the elders of the society who have failed to live up to the standards. When you look at the likes of Ron Atkinson who had to resign as ITV after making a comment whilst on air against Marcus Desailly (then Chelsea player) by labeling him as what is known in some schools as a f******* lazy thick n*****. As a child you are bound to be intimidated by such high profile individuals, and would practice some of the behavior in your daily life. 

The Famous JT and Anton Ferdinand Incident

Various institutions, societies, players, individuals and members of society have since then stood up and taken the initiative to fight racism. The Kick Out campaign, the laws and a 6 point plan have been the latest initiatives the Soccer body has taken. However, the question remains? How can we combat racism?

The answer to this is simple- we dont need a steward per fan, rather we need good morals from every fan. The society needs to educate the young generation about racism and that every human being is equal. Schools, institutions, football academies, homes, religious centers need to start taking up the initiative to promote the divine message of Human Equality. 
If a plant is watered in the right manner and straightened since its growth stage, then it is bound to grow straight and give the fruits when its a tree. The absence of water and proper care would result to a dead plant/tree. The responsibility starts from home and needs to continue in schools and societies. Remember: "Charity begins at home."

The issue however comes up to what happens to those footballers and fans already involved in this horrendous act? 
The fines set out by the FA are just hilarious and do not bring about any change to the public. If a player earns 100,000 a week, and is then fined 80,000, what difference does it make to him? It doesn't really have an effect because he knows that the coming week he is going to earn it back, oh and not forgetting the image rights, brand loyalty and all those deals that could total up to almost a budget of an African country. 
Its time the fines are of a realistic amount and the ban of matches should not be a mere 4 or 8, but almost half a season, perhaps that could knock in some sense to the players and the public. In order to teach the fans a lesson, its time the football federations hand out "play behind closed doors" punishments. This was handed out to italian teams in the past, and did bring in some sense to the Italian supporters, well probably not to the maximum, but it surely did make a difference. 

It is time the FA steps up and make bold decisions, keeping aside the interest of the National team and the league's interest. It is quite sad to see that Suarez was banned for 8 games, whilst JT was handed a 4 match ban. To top it up, Barton was handed a 12 match ban because he kicked Aguero. Decisions like these just make you wonder how the FA works.

We could do everything we can, wear kick out t shirts (which some players did snub), wear badges, hold banners and workshops; but the fact remains that our grassroots need a change. Our lifestyle needs a change, our attitude needs to be better and the smiles on our faces need to be wider. That's if we want a better world to live in....

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
Adios.
Mj Kassam

Football: One World, One Family!

Football is the world's most famous and most viewed sport in the 20th century, at times with over a million viewers per match. It is not only known for its publicity and the celebrity status that it possesses, but also for the rivalry, competition, fights, goals and drama it produces week in week out.

The stories regarding various footballers who have had sex scandals have given a very bad image to the football world. Celebrities have let down their people/followers and companies have cancelled their contracts with players who have been hit by the scandals. Furthermore, its not only sex scandals, but racism is on the rise and has worsened the situation.

For many of us, Football is just about winning, chanting, celebrating and enjoying whilst for others it is a sport which means entertainment and for investors it is seen as a money making business. However, football is much more than that, football is one world; it is one nation which cares for everyone, whether a footballer or a one day baby!

The footballing community serves the humanity as a whole; it shares sympathy with the world, celebrates with the world and gives people another reason to live for. It can be argued that football doesn’t show support to humanity, nor to issues concerning the society and that all it focuses on is related to football only and nothing else.

Football has never hidden its love for the community and the betterment of the people. This can be clearly seen when Everton Fc wore t shirts which read “We’re Still Looking For You” in support of the search for Madeleine Mccann. Everton took the initiative to launch a campaign for the search of Madeleine.

Tim Cahill with a Madeline Mccann Tshirt

Various teams make a point to visit orphanages, hospitals, care centers and health institutions to offer their support and show hospitality to the less fortunate ones. Players take time off during festive seasons and take gifts for the patients as they spend some valuable time with them to make them feel comfortable and cared for. On the other hand, various players have set up youth camps, academies and charitable institutions in Africa to help accommodate and cater the homeless children. Craig Bellamy, Drogba, Adebayor, F. Kanoute are a few ambassadors of football to humanity.

Arsenal's visit to a hospital in Christmas 2005

Footballers have gone to the extent of hosting matches and give away the income to flood victims, less fortunate and those struck by natural disasters.

France 98's Zinedine Zidane (C) controls the ball against an European selection during a charity soccer match for the victims of flooding after heavy rains in the Var and a winter Atlantic storm called Xynthia, at the Beaujoire Stadium in Nantes August 8, 2010.

Despite the fact that matches do bring about fights, disputes, rivalries and differences between teams and players; the footballing world put their differences aside and become one single unit. Everyone shares the grief together, offers support together and care together.

When the football world loses a member of their family, or if any of the members comes under a difficult situation, whether it’s in regards to health or wealth, the football nation comes to a standstill. The loss/difficulty is felt by everyone even though they may have never faced each other on the field. Humanity overcomes the personal ego and everybody mourns the death of their fellow member and offers support to their fellow member who falls under a difficult situation.

The death of the likes of Mark Vivian Foe in 2003 was a clear example that there is no way the love of football can overcome the sense of responsibility towards fellow human beings. France requested FIFA to cancel the Finals due to Foe’s death, a request which was however denied. This gave football another chance to show its other side, France won the game and didn’t celebrate their victory as their captain Dessailly took Cameroon’s captain Rigobert Song with him to the stage and held the trophy together. He didn’t lift the trophy as its usually down, rather he held it down as a sign of respect.

Its not about winning, its about care and support! RIP Foe!

Recently, the incident of Fabrice Muamba and the announcement of Eric Abidal’s liver transplant shocked the footballing world. Everyone stood up to show their support and spread the message to create awareness for their fellow brother.

In regards to Muamba, the incident brought about flashbacks of Foe’s death on the pitch, players were seen mourning whilst the stadium had gone silent for a while as Fabrice was fighting for his life on the pitch. Suddenly there was a roar in the stadium, fans of both teams chanted Fabrice’s name as he was carried away by the paramedics. For once, a stadium that had divided supporters based on their teams, had become one and joined the cause for supporting Fabrice. Players of different teams tweeted about #pray4muamba and some took the initiative to visit him at the hospital. Teams in the Premier League observed a minute of silence for prayers for Muamba and held a minute of applause. The likes of Madrid, Everton, Sunderland, Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs had shirts printed with messages of support for Muamba. This clearly outlined the fact that football is not restricted to any physical boundaries, no matter where it is played nor who plays, as long as they are serving the footballing nation they shall be part of us!

Eric Abidal’s liver transplant was received with sympathy and grief as he prepared himself to go under the knife for the second time in a year. Eric- who was diagnosed with Liver cancer last season, made a remarkable comeback in the 2011 Champions League Final and ended up lifting the trophy for Barcelona. Despite the fact that he plays for Barcelona, local rivals Real Madrid showcased their support for Abidal as they printed shirts with messages of support for the player. Once again, personal differences and rivalry was put aside to pave way for humanity to prosper!

You may be our rival in soccer, but you are a brother of ours in the world!

To the world, football may seem as a money making scheme, an arena full of personal grudges, egos and rivalries that reach to the extent of personal attacks in the media, but the fact remains, that the other side of  football which hasn’t been given much attention certainly highlights the true personality of footballers.

Much can be said, everyone has a right to their opinion, but it should be remembered that: “We drink football, we eat football, we sleep football” means that we drink with the world, we eat with the world and we sleep with the world!

Together we shall stand to support our fellow human beings, because “Football is not just a matter of life and death, it’s more than that” -Bill Shankly.