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ERNEST ADU YIRENKYI

SOCCER WITHOUT ENEMIES: HAS FIFA DONE TO ERADICATE RACISM?

Dialogue with Debra or Ernest
Why an inquiry about racism in soccer?

Because racism in soccer has come of age,

where a lot of minority players go through
humiliation during and after match or unfair
officiating decisions. And the side effect is that
the key players end up leaving the club to
different teams. Sometimes they even end up
retiring early from their soccer career. Zinedine
Zidane, Balottelli and Kevin-Prince Boateng
among some players that have recently

What do you mean by racism in soccer?

suffered racial abuse in the game of soccer.

Generally, racism is any unfair or offensive act
or behavior exhibited by a group of people
belonging to a certain tribe or race against
another group or race which are deemed
unacceptable by human ethics.

How do most people see racism in soccer? How

All over the world, and most especially among

do you see it differently?

soccer fans, match officials FIFA playing

bodies see this as a big problem which does not
improve the beauty of football. For this reason,

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FIFA and soccer celebrities have taken

different measures and approaches to minimize
it. I also see that the world has not taken bold
steps to deal strongly with racial abuses or
behaviors.
Are you kidding? What else did you find out

I am really serious about this because it seems

from your research?

that some people are simply not appreciative of

the fact that all human beings are born free and
equal, and consequently should be treated with
the same level of respect and dignity. They
continuous to oppress blacks and other
minorities within the soccer arena. Why should
people treat blacks like that? Are blacks not
human beings? Just because of color? In my
research, I realized that racism is still common
in soccer, it is however taking new dimension.
Furthermore, through my research, I found out
that FIFA has done a lot to eradicate racism.
Passing resolution upon revolutions, engaging
in several activities with soccer celebrities, like
Pele, Thierry Henry, Sammy Koffour etc. to
fight against racism and discrimination. Also
creating awareness by allowing captains to

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wear armbands with descriptions like SAY NO

TO RACISM, yet is still growing event
stronger. Furthermore, through my research, I
found out that FIFA has done a lot to eradicate
racism. Passing resolution upon revolutions,
engaging in several activities with soccer
celebrities, like Pele, Thierry Henry, Sammy
Koffour etc. to fight against racism and
discrimination. Also creating awareness by
allowing captains to wear armbands with
descriptions like SAY NO TO RACISM, yet is
still growing event stronger.
Can you give me an example?

There are several recordable incidents we can

talk about. For example, at the just ended
world cup in Brazil, there were some racial
issues that popped up during the game between
Ghana and Germany, where some German
supporters painted their faces with colors.
Moreover, there was a racist issue between
Zidane and Matarazzi during 2006 FIFA world
cup final in Italy where Zidane accused

Who does this affect, most?

Matarezzi of insulting his tribe and family.

In addition to this, I believe that racism does

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not only affect individual players, but also

affects the playing bodies, clubs, fans etc. For
example, there was an issue pertaining racism
where by supporters threw banana onto the
pitch during match game between AC Millan
and Siena, which resulted Kevin Boateng and
What do you think we should do about it?

his team mates stopping the game.

I believe to solve this problem, first, they
should be a reshuffle in FIFAS anti- racism
committee members to bring in competent
people who have the ability to work had to
produce good results. I also entreat everyone to
support FIFA and other bodies together to
combat racism.