Paying the Price? Why Football Still Has a Problem
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Paying the price? Why harm football still has a and problem Mike Rowe and Jon Garland assess the port S ongoing presence of racism in football everal high profile incidents it is unsurprising that the language decision was handled was widely have ensured that the problem apparently used by players accused reported to have prompted the Sof racism in football, widely of racism has been subject to resignation of England manager perceived to have been in abeyance extended Fabio Capello. in recent years, has been a examination. the apparent decline in The interim continuing focus of media and Significantly, replacement political attention. On-field though, linguistic tolerance of abuse in for Capello was confrontations between Premiership analysis of what Stuart Pearce, THEMED SECTION: players John Terry and Anton was said, and the context of football who was already Ferdinand, and between Luis Suarez about what words matches demonstrates established as and Patrice Evra, and claims of racist and phrases coach of the chanting at various grounds, raise mean, have that the measures under-21 national questions about the long-term impact predominated, side. The media of a series of anti-racism campaigns relative to introduced in the last furore over and legal and regulatory arguments about two decades have had Terry’s alleged interventions. In many respects, whether the use racism may incidents of inter-player racist abuse of racist epithets some success be considered and public displays of racism have are acceptable. justifiable or been more notable in the last year or A decade or so otherwise, but so precisely because they were ago, a common stance was that it stands in stark contrast to the problems that – like football racist abuse on the pitch was part of almost complete media silence in hooliganism – had the game: the heat of relation to Pearce’s self-confessed been perceived by the sporting moment history of such abuse. In his 2001 many to have been clashes between rendered words and autobiography Pearce admitted largely resolved. This phrases less heinous that he had directed racist abuse article will assess elite sportsmen than they might be at Paul Ince during a particularly whether this really is are the subject of in other contexts. fractious mid-90s clash between the case within When the Fédération their club sides Nottingham Forest English football and exhaustive media Internationale and Manchester United. Neither at will suggest that, de Football the time of that incident, nor when while substantial scrutiny Association (FIFA) he was appointed temporary England progress has been President, Sepp manager (as the indirect result of made in challenging Blatter, recently another player being alleged to have some forms of racism, there are still stated that racist abuse on the pitch behaved in a similar manner) was many challenges facing those ought to be settled by a post-match Pearce’s behaviour subject to much campaigning against racism within handshake, his comments were media comment or attention from the game. widely reported as evidence that he police or football authorities. was out of touch with contemporary While it is difficult to make direct Back to the future mores. The repercussions of the comparison between different Nowadays clashes between elite Terry case further illustrate a shift instances of alleged racist abuse, it sportsmen are the subject of in attitudes toward racism in the might be argued that the apparent exhaustive media scrutiny: footage game. In the light of the decision to decline in tolerance of such abuse in of events is replayed, frame by prosecute Terry for the alleged racist the context of football matches frame, in the context of a 24/7 media abuse of Ferdinand, the Football demonstrates that the measures environment that has transformed Association announced that he introduced in the last two decades top-level footballers into A-list was to lose his position as England have had some success. That Terry be celebrities. In these circumstances captain. The manner in which that investigated and prosecuted for 30 ©2012 Centre for Crime and Justice Studies 10.1080/09627251.2012.695505 behaviour that was largely ignored in themselves in malicious chanting on have been tackled but the root the days of Pearce (and countless match days. causes still remain. others) can be considered progress. Secondly, the success of the harm Racism has been successfully English Defence League (EDL) in Lack of commitment criminalised in this context and this rapidly establishing itself as an Lastly, it may be the case that reflects a significant cultural and organisation capable of regularly campaigns against racism in football and social movement. mobilising over a thousand can only achieve a limited amount, However, and notwithstanding supporters to its rallies against and that such campaigns really this progress, manifestations of overt ‘Islamic extremism’ may also have needed to have been fully embraced racism (such as the chants directed at impacted on the levels of racism at by clubs in order to make them port Leicester City supporters by those of football matches. Much of the EDL’s successful. Worryingly, the lack S Nottingham Forest core support of true commitment on behalf of during their FA originates from many clubs in this regard may be Cup game in Facebook or Twitter within a number both a cause and a symptom of the 2011/12) are still have offered a fresh of football continued existence of institutional evident at football hooligan ‘crews’ racism within the sport. The fact that matches in platform for the racist from all over there are currently only three black England. The England who can managers amongst the 92 league nature of this harassment of minority put aside their clubs may be testimony to this racism may have ethnic players and inter-club rivalries while the suing of his former club changed, in that it in order to unite Gillingham for racial discrimination may more often together on EDL by black striker Mark McCammon supporters THEMED SECTION: be directed marches. The high in 2012 may just be the tip of the against those of a media profile iceberg of such cases. Also, the perceived Muslim or Gypsy Traveller enjoyed by the organisation in the seemingly unconditional backing background rather than specifically last couple of years may well have initially given by the management against black players (as was the case emboldened its followers into and players of Liverpool FC to Luis in previous decades), but it is still believing that they can get away with Suarez, even after he was found evident. In addition, new forms of racist abuse and harassment in guilty by the Football Association social networking media, such as another context; that of the football of racially abusing Patrice Evra, is Facebook or Twitter, have offered a stadium. surely also cause for concern. That fresh platform for the racist Thirdly, it may be the case that Evra, brave enough to officially harassment of minority ethnic players the football industry has become complain about this abuse in the first and supporters, with ex-professional complacent about the issue, feeling place, was subject to vilification and Stan Collymore just one example of that racism in football has been bile from Liverpool fans when his someone being the recipient of successfully tackled when in fact it club side next played Liverpool at allegedly racist tweets from football has merely been driven ‘under- their Anfield home was a damning fans. ground’. Indeed, perhaps all that has indictment of the lack of progress been achieved by such high profile football has made. If the industry The persistence of racism national campaigns such as Kick It has not yet created the environment There are a number of reasons why Out is to make overt displays of in which players that are victims of racism has persisted in football. racism within stadia more racist abuse can report the abuse Firstly, it is a truism to note that unacceptable than they used to be. without subsequently being the the problem of racism in the sport This is no mean feat, of course, and subject of even more harassment, reflects broader social and political is to be applauded, but it might be then it still has a long way to go developments. Although this the case that such views now just before it can say that it has fully observation has often been cited remain hidden from public earshot confronted racism in the game. n as a poor excuse for inaction, it as those that are minded to express remains the case that football is a them are concerned that they may Mike Rowe is Professor of Criminology and Director of the Centre for Offenders distorted reflection of wider society feel the disapprobation of their and Offending, Northumbria University. and issues of rising tensions between fellow fans if they do. Thus the Jon Garland is Senior Lecturer of communities will often manifest manifestations of the disease may Criminology, Leicester University cjm no. 88 June 2012 31.