IT IS STILL A LONG WAY TO GO
Yesterday's Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Başakşehir resulted in a serious scandal. A coach of the guest team was allegedly racially insulted by the fourth official.
The incident casts a dark light on the existing racism in football – once again.
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Basaksehir – the conclusions:
The next day, all that remains is incomprehension – in view of what could be heard from the discussions in front of the two benches in the Parisian Parc de Princes.
Even if the incident has not yet been fully and conclusively discussed and processed in the short time available, three conclusions can already be drawn from it:
- If even the supposedly most reasonable people on the pitch, the referees, are not immune to racism, it becomes clear how much work is still ahead of us to eradicate inhuman behavior in football. Especially the umpires should in this context be beyond any doubt and act as role models.
- When such a scandal happens in the Champions League, when racist language and thought patterns are to be found even there, it does not take much imagination to conceive what regularly happens on amateur and recreational sports fields outside the Corona-related compulsory break. We have a problem of racism – both in the amateur and the professional sector. There is still a long way to go.
- One positive aspect can be noted: After tracking the TV images, after analyzing the statements to be heard from players and coaches it seems clear: Both teams have reacted in an exemplary manner. They showed solidarity with the injured party and quickly understood that there was more at stake than just a UEFA Champions League group match.
That deserves respect – and despite everything, it gives a little hope.
Defining and sorting people based on their skin color or other random physical characteristics is racist!
Football as a reflection of our society
Once again it must be clarified that football, as the most popular sport in Europe, is a reflection of society.
Just as it can serve as a role model, it is often also a platform for inhuman behavior.
It integrates – and at the same time has disintegrating elements. It can bring together people of different origins, educational backgrounds, income levels and religions.
But it can also show its ugly grimace – in the form of monkey sounds, racist insults in the Sunday league or, more subtly, in the form of a stupid banter in the changing room.
What happened yesterday in Paris happens regularly on the football fields of our countries – only without television coverage, media discussion and subsequent critical discourse.
Every single person is in demand – say NO to racism
We all have to stand our ground – and intervene. On the football field as well as at the supermarket checkout, on the street or in social media.
B42 wants to be one of the voices. From the very beginning, we have made it our mission to take a clear and decisive stand against racism, nationalism, anti-Semitism and all other forms of inhuman thought.
To understand the football field as what it should be: a paying field where people from different personal backgrounds can pursue their passion – according to clear rules and on the basis of a commonly understood foundation of values, where respect, human decency, fairness, equality and justice are lived.
For us, anti-racism is an essential part of our foundation of values.
It is part of our name – in memory of Jackie Robinson, the professional baseball player who was the first African-American to play against tough white resistance in the US professional league MLB.
Be Fearless.
Be Focused.
B42