Racism in Football

Racism in football is the devaluation of football players based on their ethnicity, particularly the color of their skin. It can manifest itself through various forms of abuse, including verbal insults, physical assaults, and discriminatory gestures such as banana throws.

Description

Racism in football affects not only players but also referees, who may be subjected to similar forms of abuse. The phenomenon is reported from numerous countries worldwide. In some cases, xenophobia that is latent within society can become openly manifest in the football stadium and its surroundings.

In 2020, a debate was sparked in English football regarding the structural disadvantage faced by black coaches. This discussion was initiated by former and current black football professionals, including Sol Campbell, Raheem Sterling, Chris Hughton, and Dwight Yorke.

Social Psychological Explanatory Approaches

Research suggests that racism in football can be attributed to various social psychological factors. One such factor is the diffusion of responsibility, where individuals feel less accountable for their actions when part of a large group. This phenomenon allows people to express aggression without feeling personally responsible for it.

Sanctions by International Bodies

### FIFA

In response to growing concerns about racism in football, FIFA announced new measures to combat the issue. The sanctions imposed on representative clubs and teams are based on a two-tier approach:

* For first-time offenders or minor infractions, penalties include warnings, fines, and/or in-camera proceedings.
* For repeat offenders or serious incidents, penalties may involve point deductions, exclusion from competition, or relegation.

Additionally, any person (player, official, arbitrator, etc.) committing an offence would be suspended for at least five matches with a stadium ban.

### UEFA

UEFA introduced a three-step procedure in 2009 to address racism in football. The steps include:

1. Warning and education
2. Suspension of the game
3. Exclusion from competition or relegation