YouTube - Let's Kick Racism Out Of Football

YouTube - Let's Kick Racism Out Of Football

Kick racism out of football: Very Best of role models

Though his current job with the Bermuda Department of Corrections is a very long ball indeed away from the game in which he made his name, Clyde Best has been much cheered this weekend by two items of news: the first, that the proposed takeover of his old club, West Ham United, is in difficulties; and the second, that the latest stage in the Let's Kick Racism Out of Football campaign will get under way in Britain next week and run until the end of the month.

What kept Best's resolve high when he came to Britain as a 17-year-old striker of high promise but raw experience was the welcoming family atmosphere he encountered at Ron Greenwood's West Ham, an atmosphere that he insists is what made, and continues to make, the club so special.

"For anybody to come in and just take it over would not feel right," he said. "You have had generations of people supporting the club, with season tickets passed on through the family. One day I was sitting in my living room here in Bermuda when there was a knock on the door. It was a West Ham supporter who was over from England and just wanted to say hello. That's the sort of club it is."

As for kicking racism out of football, Best would have welcomed such an organisation in the late Sixties and early Seventies, when he suffered the brunt of prejudice as the leading black player of a very small group in the Football League. "Racism existed then, let's not deny it," said Best, while stressing he faced few problems at Upton Park, "apart from one or two stupid people."

His most miserable moments, he says, came on trips to the north of England, where the word "nigger" was hurled from the terraces of clubs he opts not to name.

"It would have been easy to pack up, put your tail between your legs and go home, but that wasn't going to happen as far as I was concerned. Friends still ask me, 'How did you put up with it?' I tell them that I knew I had a responsibility as a role model for black people. I tried to do it to the best of my ability, and I think I did a pretty good job.

"Somebody had to be the front-runner. I don't know if it was a God-given plan, but He chose me. I was keen to play my football and do well, but I had to think of those coming behind me rather than myself. When you look at how things have changed today, if I had anything to do with that coming about, great. That's what I was there to do."

The documented experience of other black footballers highlights what the modest Best suffered. At West Bromwich, Cyrille Regis felt the abuse he received was "the supporters rebelling against me because I had taken a white guy's place in the team". And when Vince Hilaire started warming up before coming on for Crystal Palace at Port Vale in 1976, he recalled: "I couldn't believe the abuse that was coming at me... animal noises and all the names you think of calling a black person.

"It frightened me a bit, so I couldn't wait to get back in the dug-out, and I thought, 'Well, if this is the sort of reception I'm going to get, then I don't really want to know'."

In addition to the fatherly presence of Greenwood (who called Clyde "the best 17-year-old I have ever seen"), Best was boosted by the inspiring example of his team captain, Bobby Moore. "Bobby took abuse wherever he went, not because of the colour of his skin but because of how good he was. From him I learned that it doesn't make sense hiding, you have a job to do.

"Being in Bobby's company every week gave me the support I needed. He was a fantastic person. My being able to keep things under control and not losing it was down to playing with Bobby. You never saw him waver, and I tried to copy that. Being in that sort of company teaches you how to handle situations."

The ability to handle situations is something black footballers still need, as Best notes, in Eastern Europe. "If you allow these people to get into your mind, they are going to affect your game." He feels much more could be done on an official basis. "Clubs, associations and Fifa must take action in Eastern Europe. In England the problem seems to be under control, but in those parts of the world they need help.

"When you think we are in 2006, something needs to be done urgently. Close down the stadiums, hit them in the pocket."

That Western, as well as Eastern, Europe nurtures racism was highlighted when the Spanish national coach, Luis Aragones, called Thierry Henry "a black shit" and still managed to keep his job. "Hey, show him the door if he makes comments like that," said Best. "It's inexcusable."

What a 17-year-old Best was entitled to find inexcusable was that there was no one from West Ham to meet him when he flew into Heathrow from Bermuda to join the club. "Right then, I wished I had never come." He took the Tube to West Ham, not realising the station he needed was Upton Park, but was helped by a Hammers fan, who directed him to a house where the club's young players lodged.

Best made his first-team debut against Arsenal in 1969, recalling in Brian Belton's newly published book The Black Hammers*: "I took the No 7 shirt that had been Harry Redknapp's for much of the previous year." His first goal came against Burnley in October of that year, and in 218 games Best scored 58 times.

Despite playing at Old Trafford in front of a bigger crowd than Bermuda's 60,000 population, Best never lost his sense of perspective. He did come close to losing his cool, though, when he was omitted by John Lyall from the West Ham team for the 1975 Cup final, and it led to his departure for a new career in North American soccer with Tampa Bay, then two seasons in the Dutch League at Feyenoord before a return to North America at Toronto and Portland.

Admitting he "wasn't happy at the time" about his omission from the Cup final, Best says: "You can't afford to be bitter. In fact, if I had my time over again I would still go back to West Ham because we were one big, happy family. I've got claret-and-blue blood, and every time I go back to England I go to the stadium."

Best's most recent visit was in June, to collect from Buckingham Palace the MBE awarded to him for services to football and the community of Bermuda. Those services have not been in football for some time. He was appointed as technical director of the Bermuda national side in 1997, but his contract was not renewed in 2000. Since then he has worked in a transitional centre for prison inmates, "advising those who are ready to be released back into society".

That advice will surely be cherished from someone who has achieved, and been through, so much in football, of which Clyde Best says in summation: "Whenever a goal is scored nobody looks at your race, do they? That's the good thing about the game."

JOHN CHARLES
Johnny the One - but he wouldn't be the only one

Self-styled "Johnny the One", Charles was the first black player to appear for West Ham, making his debut in May 1963. He was born in Canning Town in Sept-ember 1944, the son of a white mother and a West Indian seaman father, and the eighth of nine children. The ninth, Clive, also briefly played for the club.

Having turned down a trial with Essex at cricket because he was mourning his father's death, Charles joined West Ham straight from school in 1959 and signed professional forms two years later at 17, captaining the FA Youth Cup-winning side against Liverpool. His five England Youth caps were the first won by a black player at any England level. A left-back who played 132 times alongside Bobby Moore, Charles said he did not encounter any racism at West Ham. "You got the odd 'black bastard' but that never worried me."

From 1969 he was plagued by recurring hamstring problems, leaving the club in 1971 and joining his wife's father in running a market stall. "At West Ham I was earning £65 a week, my first week as a barrow boy I got £200," he recalled. But Johnny the One descended into alcoholism, suffered bankruptcy and spent time in a mental hospital before dying of cancer, aged 57, in August 2002.

PAUL INCE
Abused - but only because he wore a Man Utd shirt

Capped 53 times by England in midfield, Paul Emerson Carlyle Ince was born at Ilford in October 1967. Having played for Essex Schoolboys, he was spotted at the age of 12 by John Lyall, then a Hammers coach, signed as a trainee at 14, joined the Upton Park youth training scheme aged 15 and turned pro a year later.

He made his full debut at 19 in November 1986 against Chelsea and quickly became a regular in midfield, playing 81 games and scoring eight goals, before leaving in sour circumstances to join Manchester United. West Ham supporters never forgave Ince after a picture of him wearing a Manchester United shirt appeared in a national newspaper before the transfer had gone through, and whenever he played at Upton Park subsequently the boos which greeted him were mistaken for racist abuse.

His time at Old Trafford (278 games, 28 goals) also ended in argument, Alex Ferguson dismissing Ince as a "big-time Charlie" and selling him to Internazionale in 1995. In Italy he suffered racist chanting at away games before returning to England with Liverpool, going on to play for Middlesbrough, then Wolves, and closing his playing career last week at Swindon. Management beckons.

MARC-VIVIEN FOE
'Racism is a big problem everywhere. It is in Africa'

Born in Cameroon in May 1975, the man known to all as Marco had won 54 caps for his country by the time he joined West Ham from the French club RC Lens for a club-record £4.5 million in January 1999, having seen an earlier projected move to Manchester United fall apart when he suffered a broken leg during training with Cameroon just before the 1998 World Cup finals in France.

In his 14 months at Upton Park, Foé scored twice from midfield in 48 appearances. He said that he encountered no racism at West Ham - "the fans were always very good to me" - but he claimed: "Racism is a big problem everywhere. There is racism in Africa."

Though he settled quickly in the friendly atmosphere at West Ham at a time when African football and African footballers were making their mark on the world game, Foé regularly fell foul of referees, collecting two dismissals and nine yellow cards in his final year.

At the end of the 1999-2000 season Foé came close to a much-anticipated £4.6m move to Liverpool. Instead, the then Hammers manager Harry Redknapp sold him to Olympique Lyonnais for £6m. In June 2003, playing for Cameroon against Colombia in Lyon, Foé collapsed and died of a heart attack. He was 28.

ANTON FERDINAND
Out of the shadow of big brother steps a home boy

The youngster born in Peckham, south London, in February 1985 signed professional forms for West Ham at 17 in the same week that his older brother, Rio, completed a £30 million move from Upton Park to Manchester United.

Anton abandoned thoughts of a singing career in order to sign YTS forms for West Ham, the only club he has known or, he claims, wants to know. He pays tribute to his previous and present managers, Glenn Roeder and Alan Pardew, for helping him to develop into a valued regular at centre-back.

Already an England Under-18 international, he made his Hammers debut at the start of the 2003-04 season following the club's relegation, a campaign which ended with him being named Young Hammer of the Year by supporters. The special moments of his career to date are helping West Ham regain their Premiership place and scoring (against Fulham) at Upton Park, something brother Rio never managed.

"I have experienced racism in football," said Anton, "but you get that everywhere. It's in a very small minority at West Ham." He believes that publicity to help ethnic minorities feel more welcome at football stadiums is something which would make a difference.

In a week-long series, CNN are currently investigating the issue of racism in sport. Covering four continents and many different sports, the international news network will hear from those that have suffered racism and those who have helped to tackle it.

The series will feature interviews with the likes of Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o and UEFA President Michel Platini, as well as former Chelsea stars Graeme Le Saux and Paul Cannoville.
A preview of the series can be seen by visiting CNN's website, which also features full-length written interviews with some of the stars of the series.

Interview with Samuel Eto'o

As a player who has won African and Olympic titles with Cameroon and Spanish league and Champions League titles with Barcelona as well as three African footballer of the year awards, Samuel Eto'o expects to command respect.

Yet Eto's spectacular career in Spain, where his goalscoring prowess have made him one of the world's most feared and admired strikers, has been punctuated by incidents in which he has been the victim of sickening racist abuse.

Memorably, Eto'o started to walk off the pitch in protest during a match at Real Zaragoza in 2006 after being taunted by home supporters chanting monkey noises only to be persuaded to return by his Barcelona teammates and the club's coach, Frank Rijkaard.

"I was leaving the field and if it wasn't for Rijkaard, my teammates and the referee, I would have done it," Eto'o recalls. "In that moment you start thinking whether there is something wrong with being black, you know? But I think we are all humans, everyone's blood is the same color and we all have the same heart. I don't see any differences in skin color."

AttitudesWhile Spanish football's reputation for sophistication and flair has made la Liga one of the most attractive and marketable competitions in world football, attitudes in the stands have not always kept apace with the cosmopolitanism on display on the pitch.

Nor has positive leadership always come from the top. Real Zaragoza were fined just 9,000 euros ($13,800) for the abuse directed by their supporters at Eto'o. And in 2005, the Spanish national coach Luis Aragones -- currently steering Spain through Euro 2008 -- was at the center of controversy when he used a racist slur to describe French striker Thierry Henry, now a teammate of Eto'o's at Barcelona.

Eto'o admits that racism is so widespread in Spain that he no longer dares take his family to matches.

"Racism can happen anywhere and I don't want them to see it," he told CNN. "It's a sad situation in football. In my opinion the problem is getting bigger and the people that should come up with a solution are not doing it. So to protect my family, I don't take them to the game."

ActionWith black players regularly subjected to monkey chants in Spanish stadiums, Eto'o believes determined action is needed before verbal abuse spills over into physical violence.
"The authorities are working to find solutions. But they must find them. We can't wait until some crazy fan jumps from his seat and kills a black player before measures are taken. The players are revolted by it and we try to help each other. But the authorities must find a way to set an example."

One of the saddest aspects of racism in football is that many of those who participate in taunting colored players would never dream of behaving the same way on the street, at work or at home.
But Eto'o fears attitudes in stadiums may reflect wider social attitudes which find expression amid the passion, emotion and anonymity of the football crowd

Reflection"Football stadiums are just a reflection of what is going on in society," Eto'o says. "Many times in stadiums people just feel more relaxed and say what they think when they're somewhere else."

He believes the Spanish media has a key part to play in tackling racism in football, not just by highlighting incidents of abuse but in creating an environment in which racism in the stands is no longer quietly condoned.

"I don't make the decisions, but something needs to be done. Right now, the media here pays attention to the incidents of racism, but doesn't discuss solutions. That's the tragedy. They use these images to create an impact rather than to identify racism as a problem and to urge people to find a solution. TV has a lot of weight on public opinion and what the industry must do is make people feel a social responsibility to stop this kind of behavior."

Weeks Of Action

The One Game, One Community Weeks Of Action are one of the most prominent equality and community engagement initiatives in the country.

The weeks have a strong community focus and play a role in celebrating diversity and inclusion.The 2009 Weeks of Action will take place between the 15th and 27th October.One Game, One CommunityThe period sees the game's biggest names stand alongside communities across the UK under the banner of 'One Game, One Community'.

Grassroots clubs, schools, community groups and fans join the professional game in coming together in symbolic activities promoting inclusion.

In 2008 more than 1000 events took place during the weeks of action, including a match day activity at all 92 professional clubs in England and Wales.

The weeks of action is the biggest series of activities of their kind in Europe. Kick It Out offers a wide range of resources to support activities taking place during the weeks of action. European actionThe weeks of action is a European wide event. On the continent our partners in the Football Against Racism in Europe(FARE) network are co-ordinating activities.

Activities on the continent continue to grow each year, and although events in Britain are bigger than the rest of Europe together, fan groups and ethnic minorities from countries ranging from Slovakia, Germany, Austria, Italy and Spain take an active part in the weeks.

For more information visit www.farenet.org Black History MonthThe weeks of action is held during Black History Month and has previously coincided with Ramadan, Diwali and Jewish festivals. This enables opportunities for us all to learn about and celebrate these important periods.

Rio Ferdinand

Having recently captained his country for the first time, and with Manchester United flying high both domestically and in the Champions League, Rio Ferdinand must be enjoying the 2007/08 season.

Kick It Out spoke to him.

Tell us about racism you have experienced.

I was at a game when I was about 16 - it was a London team - and a man started shouting "black this, black that" at the players. He turned to me and said: "Not you mate, you're all right." I looked at a nearby policeman as if to say: "What are you going to do?" But he looked through me, he wasn't going to do anything. I just got up and left. As a player you get a certain amount of racism from crowds here and there, but it is not as apparent as it was before. When players like John [Barnes], Ian Wright, Viv Anderson were playing it was a lot worse. I grew up on an estate in Peckham, near where Damilola Taylor was killed. When I was older I got a BMW convertible and used to drive around Peckham and areas like New Cross, Deptford and Hackney, and I'd get stopped on a regular basis. I wasn't really known as a footballer at the time and they'd ask me: "Where d'you get the money for this? Are you dealing? Are you nicking stuff?" I would say: "I earned this car, I wouldn't drive it if I didn't earn it." I don't get stopped now.

How does it affect you when you are faced by it?

On the pitch I go in a bit stronger and challenge them. Not verbally, I let the football do the talking and embarrass them. I'm not the type of person to confront people but I will try to win the game so I can look them in the eye.

Have you had any problems while playing abroad for England?
I was playing for England under 21s against Yugoslavia in Spain when Emile Heskey got abused. There were only a handful of people doing it but one man stood out - he even had dreadlock-style extensions yet he was making monkey noises. I think things in the rest of Europe are worse than here.

What would you say to any aspiring young Asian players?

They are at the same stage of the cycle that black players were at 20 years ago. If Asian boys want to play football they've got to know there is a place for them in the English game. There are a lot of Asian leagues but I don't think there should be separate ethnic leagues. I think there should just be football leagues so scouts can see everybody playing, rather than segregating them.

You were at school with Stephen Lawrence. How did his murder affect you?

It was mad. The whole day got frozen. People were coming in saying: "Stephen Lawrence got stabbed." I was a first year and he was a fifth year but we knew each other. He was a quiet, nice boy, into art and music; he had a purpose and wanted to do something in life. For him to be taken away that way seemed so unreal; people didn't know what was going on, or why.

What would you say to young people who may be the victims of racism at school or in the streets?

At school you've got to tell your teachers. If they don't sort it out, tell your parents, get them to go down to the school and tell the headteacher. It's got to be sorted out straight away. If you ignore it, it can escalate and become worse and worse. If you don't deal with it, the bullies will think you are accepting it.

Kick It Out- Building Bridges

Central to Kick It Out's strategy is the development of partnerships that bring together footballing organisations with communities to work in partnership on problems of exclusion and discrimination.

At a national level the coming together of representative groups in the game with Kick It Out allows the campaign to raise issues from communities directly with those at the highest level of the football industry.

At a local level Kick It Out works to bring together appropriate groupings in the different areas of our work. For example, in working to eradicate the problem of racism in the amatuer game partnerships of ethnic minority football clubs, local authorities, County FA's and local leagues are formed.

Similarly, in redressing the problems of racism within the professional game - partnerships between the club, local community groups, supporters representatives and local authorities are developed in order to ensure that the expertise to deliver plans of action is available. Those who have been historically excluded from the game have a key role to play through the involvement of community groups.

Many of the key successes of the Kick It Out campaign, if not all, are as a result of dynamic partnerships.

Kick It Out Is Football's Equality And Inclusion Campaign.

The brand name of the campaign - Let's Kick Racism Out of Football - was established in 1993 and Kick It Out established as a body in 1997.

kick It Out works throughout the football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and work for positive change.

The campaign is supported and funded by the game's governing bodies, including founding body the Professional Footballers Association (PFA), the Premier League, the Football Foundation and The Football Association.

2004 marked ten years of campaigning.

Internationally Kick It Out plays a leading role in the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network and has been cited as an example of good practice by the European governing body UEFA, the world governing body FIFA, the Council of Europe, the European Commission, European parliamentarians and the British Council.

Our core priorities are:

Professional football

Working with the professional game by offering advice and guidance on all aspects of race equality within professional football.

Young people

Using the appeal of the game to address young people within schools, colleges and youth organisations, through the development and delivery of resources and educational materials.

Amateur football

Working at grassroots and amateur levels to tackle racial abuse and harassment in parks football.

Asians in football

Raising the issue of the exclusion of south Asians as professional footballers from the game.

Ethnic Minorities and Sport

Capacity building ethnic minority communities to engage with professional clubs, the structures of the game and access funding.

European football

Developing partnerships to raise the debate and tackle racism in European football.

Daily Mirror Hope Not Hate Anti-Racism Campaign Gets Under Way

The Daily Mirror today kicks off its annual nationwide anti-racism campaign, Hope not Hate, which will tour UK cities in the run-up to next month's local council and European elections.

Launched in conjunction with anti-fascist group Searchlight, the bus tour campaign aims to push a message of tolerance and diversity to counteract campaigning by groups such as the BNP.

"It is vital that this country remains a place where hope and harmony triumph over hate and division," said Richard Wallace, the editor of the Daily Mirror. "Britain's fair, equal, multicultural society is one of our greatest assets and must be celebrated and protected."

The tour, which starts today in London, will visit cities including Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle over the next two weeks .

In each location where the Daily Mirror's open-top double-decker bus stops, events will take place involving local dignitaries and celebrities speaking out against racism.
This year, the third the campaign has been run, will culminate in Stoke-on-Trent on 31 May with a Love Music Hate Racism festival.

Held at Stoke City Football Club's Britannia stadium, the festival line-up includes acts such as N-Dubz, The Beautiful South, Reverend & The Makers, Jerry Dammers from the Specials, and Roll Deep.

The campaign will receive extensive coverage in the Daily Mirror including special eight-page supplements. In addition progress reports will be published online and in the newspaper.
A documentary crew will create a daily three-minute film that will appear on the Mirror's website.

The Hope not Hate campaign is supported by celebrities including Sir Alan Sugar, John Terry, Amir Khan, Jamie Oliver, Frank Lampard, Mel B, and the casts of Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Emmerdale.

Gilberto Recalls Racism

Arsenal midfielder Gilberto admits his only experience of racism during a match was against PSV Eindhoven in Holland.

The Brazilian World Cup-winner played for the Gunners in Eindhoven shortly after joining from Atletico Mineiro in 2002 and revealed he, along with captain Thierry Henry, was subjected to "monkey songs".

"I never experienced this kind of thing in particular, but when I first came to Arsenal we had it," he said. "We were playing in Holland and it was against PSV. At the end, some of the fans started to sing monkey songs. But I just noticed it at the end of the game."

He added: "The players were talking about it. They were very upset but, for me, it didn't have any effect because I couldn't understand it and I was fully focused on the match.

"That was the only time I've really had this particular kind of problem."

Footballers Speak Out Against Racism

A red card is not enough punishment for racist behaviour on the soccer field, Fifa president Sepp Blatter said in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

"A red card is not enough, economic sanctions is not enough.

"When there is evidence of racism on the field of play... there is only one sanction, the reduction of points or elimination from the competition," Blatter said at the opening of the FifPro Africa Division Congress in Sandton.

Blatter said the day the world understood there was "one race, the human race", racism would be eradicated.

His words came as FifPro showcased its campaign against racism with the theme "Show Racism the Red Card".

The campaign used the "iconic value of professional footballers" to relay the message of non-racism to young people.

It was aimed at educating upcoming footballers as well as society about racism.

The organisation had produced a DVD featuring world-class footballers such as French player Thierry Henri, Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United, Chelsea player Didier Drogba, legendary player Garth Crooks and Liverpool player Xabi Alonso.

Blatter fielded questions from young football players from the Stars of Africa football academy. One young player quizzed Blatter on the consequences of fans displaying racist behaviour.

The Fifa president said a club or team was responsible for its fans.

Social responsibility existed in the whole football family, he said and added that according to Fifa rules, punishment started with a yellow card and could include exclusion from the tournament.

Meanwhile, Blatter reiterated his confidence in Africa and South Africa hosting the football spectacular in the country next year.

He also described the Confederations Cup as "exceptionally good". - Sapa

Little Done To Stop Racism In European Soccer

PARIS - Ghanaian soccer player Solomon Opoku heard the Serbian fans screaming racist insults and turned around as they set upon him, hurling punches and abuse.
The attackers were supporters of Opoku’s team, determined that a black player shouldn’t take the field for their club.

Two days later, Olympique Marseille president Pape Diouf got a firsthand look at what his black players endure when he traveled to the team’s UEFA Cup match at Zenit St. Petersburg in northern Russia.

“What we went through was hideous,” Diouf, who is black, said in an interview with The Associated Press. “It was the classic stuff, the bananas thrown at black players warming up, the monkey chants, obscene gestures. Not only does Zenit not hide the fact that no black player could play for this club, the fans say so themselves.”

Racism has become the scourge of European soccer stadiums. Whether the supporters are watching a minor league in Serbia or a major European competition such as the Champions League, matches are stubbornly plagued by prejudice from the Mediterranean Sea to the Ural Mountains.

Anti-racism campaigns aimed at fans have met with limited success at best, leaving the problem to FIFA, the sport’s governing body, and the Union of European Football Associations to clean up.

Soccer officials have condemned fan racism and issued fines. But penalizing clubs or nations in ways that would hurt both them and their fans — such as disqualification from tournaments, forfeiting points or stopping a match — is something they have been reluctant to do.

“You have countries, (like) Russia today, where racism is a quasi-official doctrine,” said Pascal Mignon, a French sociology researcher at the INSEP sporting institute. “In Russia, xenophobia is quite strong. So you will see it in a more powerful way, like you will in southern European countries like Spain or Italy.”

Americans aren’t exempt from the abuse.

Midfielder DaMarcus Beasley, a black player from Indiana, was taunted by fans who made monkey chants after he scored his first goal for Glasgow Rangers in a 2007 Champions League qualifier at FK Zeta in Bijelo Polje, Montenegro.

“It’s something that shouldn’t be in football,” Beasley said. “You get it everywhere. You get still get it in Spain. I got it in Belgrade. I got it Montenegro and the Netherlands as well.”

During his successful bid to oust Lennart Johansson as UEFA president two years ago, Michel Platini earmarked anti-racism as a key priority in his election campaign.

“We’re at a turning point in our sport,” Platini said at the time. “My idea would be to stop the match completely. There should be no half measures when dealing with racism.”

However, Platini has turned down multiple requests for an interview on the subject since last November, pledging to address racism in a speech next month at Warsaw, Poland.

The location is notable. The 2012 European Championship will be co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, two nations with visible racist groups.

In Poland, sociologist Rafal Pankowski fights racism as a member of Nigdy Wieciej — or Never Again.

“To a greater or lesser degree, this problem has come up at almost every club,” Pankowski said, explaining that there have been anti-Semitic banners and chants at games, as well as monkey chants.

The BBC reported last year that Leszek Miklas, the president of Polish team Legia Warsaw, acknowledged up to 20 percent of the club’s fans were neo-Nazis. Speaking to the AP, Miklas accepted that individuals at his club have extreme fascist views, but wouldn’t estimate how many.

“Polish society is fairly homogeneous, we don’t have a lot of foreigners,” Miklas said in an interview. “So Poles are less accustomed to other races and people who look different than in countries like Britain or the United States.”

London-based Amnesty International, meanwhile, warned in a November report of an “alarming rise” of hate crimes in Ukraine. Much of the violence has been blamed on ultra-rightist groups such as the Ukrainian National Labor Party.

The party leader, Evhen Herasymenko, once said attacking dark-skinned foreigners is like “the immune system — the reaction of a healthy body to the infection that got into it.”

Some players and team officials say they’re fed up. But even they don’t know what to do.

At England’s 2010 World Cup qualifying match last September in Croatia, English forward Emile Heskey was abused throughout the match with monkey chants.

FIFA fined the Croatian FA 30,000 Swiss francs (about $32,700), a relatively small amount. England vice-captain Rio Ferdinand angrily told the BBC that “football authorities need to take a look at themselves.”

Milan Has A Stinker

Baros insists he's no racist but French fans are furious over Rennes flashpoint
FORMER Liverpool and Aston Villa star Milan Baros has raised an almighty stink in French football.

Baros, who left the Premiership for Lyon this season, has been pictured holding his nose while pointing at a black opponent.

The gesture has provoked a huge outcry, with media switchboards jammed by outraged callers.
Czech striker Baros has been called before a League disciplinary commission which could ban him for racist behaviour.

Stephane Mbia, the Rennes defender involved in the flashpoint, said: "What does Baros mean?
"That I stink, that I am a piece of sh**? Would he have had the same attitude towards a white man?

Oguchi Onyewu Sues Player Over “Racist Insult”

In what many will consider an overdue reaction to racism in football, a black player is suing a white opponent over an alleged racist insult directed at him during a match in Belgium. Oguchi Onyewu, the United States and Standard Liege defender, has accused Jelle van Damme of Anderlecht of calling him a “dirty monkey”, a claim that Van Damme, who is white, has denied.

Accusations of racism made by black players against spectators and other players are far from uncommon, but Onyewu's recourse to law takes the battle a stage further. “He was convinced it was his duty to lodge the complaint,” Jean-Louis Dupont, Onyewu's lawyer, said. “It is not a question of whether Van Damme is racist. The issue is that these slurs are still used on the pitch, and are being used because they know it hurts.”

The alleged insult was used during the first leg of the Belgian league title play-off between Standard and Anderlecht on May 21. Onyewu, who is presently preparing with the US squad for the Confederations Cup in South Africa this month and two World Cup qualifiers, alerted the referee to three incidents during the match, but no action was taken. He threatened to leave the pitch but was convinced to stay by teammates. Standard drew the match, winning the second leg 1-0 to retain their league title.

Lynch Him In A Back Alley

HONOLULU - Golf Channel suspended anchor Kelly Tilghman for two weeks on Wednesday for saying last week that young players who wanted to challenge Tiger Woods should “lynch him in a back alley.”

Tilghman was laughing during the exchange Friday with analyst Nick Faldo at the Mercedes-Benz Championship, and Woods’ agent at IMG said he didn’t think there was any ill intent.
But the comments became prevalent on news shows Wednesday, and the Rev. Al Sharpton joined the fray by demanding she be fired immediately. Golf Channel didn’t know who would replace Tilghman in the booth this week at the Sony Open or next week at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

Cultural Misunderstanding

What had been a fine day for India and Harbhajan Singh on the third day of the second Test match against Australia was marred when the off spinner was reported by the umpires to Mike Procter, the match referee, for alleged racial vilification of Andrew Symonds.

If found guilty of a Level 3 offence under the ICC’s code of conduct – the hearing was scheduled to take place after the end of play on the fourth day – Harbhajan faces a ban of between two and four Test matches. That would rule him out of the rest of the four-match series.

Harbhajan had reached his third Test fifty when the altercation with Symonds took place. The Australia all-rounder said something to Harbhajan, who is alleged to have retorted by calling Symonds “a monkey”. It is not clear whether Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor, the umpires, heard the exchange, but they were seen to talk to the two players as well as Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain.

Although Sachin Tendulkar, who was batting with Harbhajan at the time, tried to play down the incident as being humorous, it is understood that Ponting and the Australians were keen for the umpires to report the matter to Procter. None of the officials would comment on the case.

Ponting and Harbhajan have been feuding since 1998, when the Australian was stumped off his bowling in a one-day match in Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates. Harbhajan pointed him towards the dressing-room, whereupon Ponting reacted angrily. Both players were fined by the match referee.

Ponting has suffered seven failures at the hands of Harbhajan in the eight Tests they have opposed each other, including once in this series. In the celebrated 2001 series, which India won 2-1 at home, Harbhajan got Ponting out in all five of the innings he bowled to him, three times for ducks. Ponting scored only 17 runs in total.

Ponting has not taken kindly to taunts from the off spinner in the media that he is effectively his “bunny”. Asked why he has enjoyed such notable success against a batsman who has made a mountain of runs against other Test bowlers, Harbhajan said: “He hasn’t batted for long enough against me, so I don’t know.”

The Australians have expressed their dislike for the combative off spinner, who is not afraid to “sledge” them and was prominent in the rancorous one-day series between the countries in India last autumn. Ponting, who was riled by Harbhajan’s comments that Australia’s sledging was “personal and vulgar”, claimed that Harbhajan “has got plenty to say on the field, but whenever anyone says anything back to him he is the first to run away”.

Symonds, who has a West Indian parent, became a target for India fans during that series in October, notably in the match in Vadodara when a few dozen imitated monkey noises and actions when he was fielding on the boundary near them. The Australians complained to the Indian authorities, but in the Twenty20 match that followed in Bombay, large sections of the crowd, having heard of the official complaint, repeatedly aimed similar abuse at Symonds.

The Australia players’ stand against Harbhajan yesterday appears to owe much to this incident and to the bad blood between them and the feisty India spinner.

Indian Fans Face Racism Charges

Four Indian cricket fans have been charged for allegedly racially abusing Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds by making monkey gestures, police say.

The four fans were evicted from a one-day international match in Mumbai (Bombay) on Wednesday.

Symonds is the only mixed race player in the Australian side, having made his international debut in 1998.

He frequently clashed with Indian players during the one-day series, which Australia won 4-2.
Cricket officials say that photographs of fans making offensive gestures to Symonds as he came in to bat have been handed over to police.

Police say that the four fans, including a woman, have been charged with harassment and have now been released on bail to appear in court at a later date.

The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says that the gestures were made even as an anti-racism message flashed on a big screen.

"There is no place for racism in cricket either on or off the field," a joint statement released on Wednesday by Indian and Australian cricket officials said.

"All cricket nations have to be on guard to ensure that the fun does not cross the boundary into unacceptable behaviour."

Police Investigate Yorke Race Row

Lancashire Police have launched a criminal investigation into allegations that Birmingham's Dwight Yorke was racially abused during yesterday's Barclays Premiership game at Blackburn.
Former Rovers player Yorke, a substitute for the game at Ewood Park, confronted a fan he claimed was taunting him as he warmed up along the touchline.

The incident came just four days after several England players were racially abused during a friendly international against Spain in Madrid.

One fan was ejected from the ground and after consultation with the club, the police have now started criminal proceedings.

Blackburn released a club statement saying: "After hearing reports from the club's safety officers and studying available CCTV and video footage of an incident involving a spectator and the Birmingham City player, Dwight Yorke, Lancashire Constabulary has now launched a criminal investigation.

"It goes without saying that we will give the police - who now intend to interview all relevant parties - our full co-operation during the length of that investigation.

"We cannot elaborate on the matter as it may prove to be prejudicial, but we would like to stress that this was an isolated incident and that we deeply regret any embarrassment caused to Dwight Yorke and Birmingham City Football Club.

"Over the years, the club has worked tirelessly to eliminate racism, working in close conjunction with organisations like Kick It Out, and we want to be quite clear that racism will not be tolerated at Ewood Park.

"We have kept the Premier League, the Football Association, the Professional Footballers Association and Birmingham City fully aware of progress and the general ongoing situation."
FA investigation

The Football Association launched an investigation into the latest alleged racist incident to rock their game, involving Birmingham striker Dwight Yorke.

The Trinidad and Tobago international had to suffer reported 'monkey' taunts from two fans when warming up during the second half of his team's Barclays Premiership clash with his former club Blackburn at Ewood Park yesterday.

One spectator was ejected from the ground in an incident which echoed the sickening behaviour of Spanish fans towards England's black players during last week's friendly international in Madrid.
The matter is also being investigated by the Football Association, who were last week strong in their condemnation of what happened in Spain.

FA head of media relations Adrian Bevington confirmed: "Our position at present is that we are still establishing the facts and we hope to speak to all interested parties today."
Birmingham managing director Karren Brady has expressed her disgust that racism has once again reared its ugly head in English football.

Brady, whose club helped collaborate a dossier to help with inquiries, said: "It is very sad for football. None of us want to see it. We all want to stamp on this and get it out of our game once and for all.

"We've just got to wait and see what this investigation throws up."
Remarkably, Birmingham City plc chairman David Sullivan played down the matter, claiming "it is not the crime of the century".

Making it clear his view is a personal one, and not necessarily that of the club, he told Sky Sports News: "To me, it's all been blown out of all proportion.
"I heard absolutely nothing. If it's three out of 22,000 who make racist comments then it's not very nice.
"I think you have to pick up on it and ban those people from the ground but I just can't believe, with all that is going on in the world, that it's that big a deal.

"If someone had made a racist comment to me and it was three out of 22,000, I would say it's not very nice, I wish they hadn't made it, but it's not the crime of the century.

"It was only when he was warming up. He could have run up the other end of the ground."
Sports minister Richard Caborn, meanwhile, has called for a zero-tolerance approach to racism in football.

Caborn believes a firm stance needs to be taken against racists as he said: "This seems to be an isolated incident, but it is still unacceptable behaviour.

"We need to strengthen peer-group power so that people can report these incidents to stewards or police and be confident that their complaint will be dealt with.

"Of course, this was nothing like the events that went on in Madrid last week - but racism should not be tolerated in any form."

The Football Association and the Premier League today issued a joint statement about the incident at Blackburn.

The statement read: "The FA and the Premier League today welcomed the swift action taken by Blackburn Rovers in launching an investigation into a reported instance of racist abuse aimed at Birmingham City's Dwight Yorke at Ewood Park yesterday.

"We fully support Blackburn Rovers' entirely appropriate reaction to this incident and their involvement of the Lancashire Police who will ensure that this matter is dealt with as the law demands.

"The FA, the Premier League and The Football League condemn racism in all its forms and are committed to stamping out any form of racist behaviour from football through our work with Kick It Out and numerous local campaigns.

However, this isolated incident is a reminder of the need for continued vigilance.
"The Report Racism hotline has been set up to allow anyone involved in football to report incidents of racism to The FA.

Eto'o Racism Mars Barcelona Win

MADRID (AFP) — Barcelona reeled off their seventh successive win to reach the summit of the Spanish first division but Saturday's 4-1 win at Malaga was marred by racism directed at their Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o.

African forward Eto'o was subjected to monkey charts by the home fans at the La Rosaleda before being booed when he was substituted late on as racism reared its ugly head once again.
Eto'o, 27, has become a major figure in football's bid to kick racism out of the game after being on the receiving end of racist remarks in the past.

In February 2006, Eto'o had wanted to leave the pitch in a 2-0 victory against Real Zaragoza after being forced to listen to monkey cries and dodge peanuts thrown at him. Then coach Frank Rijkaard persuaded him to go on and Zaragoza were fined 9,000 euros.

The Eto'o incidents come just after a Spanish website targeted McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton with racist abuse.

Eto'o was not on the scoresheet in Barca's 4-1 win with Spain's Euro 2008 hero Xavi Hernandez and a sixth goal of the season from Argentine Lionel Messi sealing the points on a rain-soaked pitch.

"You couldn't really play on a pitch in this condition," said Barca coach Pep Guardiola. "It was a game of trying not to make mistakes.

"Malaga had won four matches in a row and that is no easy feat. I am happy with the win against a physical team that can hurt you on the counter attack."

Barcelona's next match is at home on Tuesday when they face FC Basel in the Champions League looking to continue their perfect start in Europe.

In the league Barca are a point clear of Villarreal at the top with the latter also winning 4-1 over Athletic Bilabo to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

Valencia could have displaced Barca at the summit but fell to their first league defeat of the season with a 4-2 home loss against Racing Santander.

Congo striker Mohamed Tchite scored a sensational hat-trick to down Valencia who stay third, two points behind Barcelona.

"My hat-trick is not important but the three points for the team certainly are," said Tchite. It was only Racing's second win of the season and they jump to 11th spot.

Defending champions Real Madrid, three points behind Barca, are in action on Sunday at Almeria.

Elsewhere Argentine attacker Sergio "Kun" Aguero gave Liverpool something to think about ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match at Anfield with a brace as Atletico Madrid defeated Real Mallorca 2-0 at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday.

Aguero was back in the starting XI after being rested for the past few matches and returned with a bang scoring a first half double.

It was Atletico's first league victory since September 24 when they defeated derby rivals Getafe 2-1 and Javier Aguirre's side climb to sixth.

"It is a relief because we had picked up one point in the last four weeks," explained Aguirre, who said match hero Aguero still needed time to regain match sharpness.

"I will take him (Aguero) to Liverpool for the game but he is on an intensive training regime and has two more weeks of specialised training."

Villarreal put their Kings Cup nightmare firmly behind them with a 4-1 triumph at Athletic Bilbao to go second.

Villarreal went into the match reeling from a 5-0 Kings Cup humiliation by unknown Poli Ejido but responded in the perfect way.

Goals from Giuseppe Rossi, veteran Robert Pires, nearing the end of his career at 35, and Santiago Cazorla wrapped up the points for the visitors.

Villarreal now turn their attention to Wednesday's Champions League match against Danish side Aalborg BK.

Zoro Suffers More Racist Abuse

Messina's Ivorian defender Marc Zoro was reduced to tears on Sunday, after being subjected to racial abuse by the visiting fans of Inter Milan, in the Italian Serie A.

The 21-year-old was targetted when he went to collect the ball near the away supporters' section and after a chorus of monkey chants he decided he would take no more part in the game.
Inter's Brazilian striker Adriano went over to console Zoro before he broke down in tears.
Zoro's team-mates managed to then persuade him to play the remainder of the match and his decision was applauded by the Messina crowd.

Officials from the Italian football federation talked to Zoro about the incident after the match and the matter is likely to lead to an official enquiry.

Last month, Zoro said he constantly suffers racial insults.

"I have been playing in Italy for three years and I see this happening almost daily," the 21-year-old said.

"All this makes me really sad. It's not easy for me and it hurts. I don't deserve this."

On the first day of this season, Zoro was subjected to racial abuse by a large section of Lazio fans at the Olympic stadium.

His anger almost boiled over at the final whistle and he had to be restrained by his team-mates.
Afterwards, Lazio president Claudio Lotito went into the Messina dressing room to apologise on behalf of his club.

Espanyol Suspend Fans Over Racism

Spanish club Espanyol have suspended two fans who abused Cameroon goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.

The incident happened during Saturday's league game against Barcelona.
The club said on their website that they are attempting to identify two more who were involved in an attack on two Japanese spectators.

Espanyol added that they would decide whether or not to expel the fans permanently at a board meeting later this week.

"Espanyol has always stood against violence and xenophobic behaviour and for some time has rejected any attitude that is contrary to sporting behaviour and respect towards others," the club said in a statement.

Kameni has been a regular victim of racial abuse from a section of the club's radical fans as well as opposing supporters at other grounds in Spain.

Last month he said the abuse had affected his performances for the club.
Kameni is currently on duty for Cameroon as part of their African Nations Cup squad.

Fifa Probes Spanish Racist Chants

Fifa is to investigate after Spain fans hurled racist abuse at England's black players in Wednesday's friendly.

England's Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole were subjected to monkey chants in Madrid, prompting a furious reaction from the Football Association. In a statement, Fifa said: "We are concerned about the latest surge of racism and harshly condemn this."

The statement added: "(Fifa) will demand explanations from the Spanish football association."
Fifa president Sepp Blatter said football had the potential to be a powerful anti-racist force.

"There is no room whatsoever for racism or discrimination in our sport. On the contrary, football is a tool for building bridges and nurturing tolerance," he said.

"The world is already too full of conflict that has its roots in racism and discrimination. Football

has a positive influence."

Lewis Hamilton 'Saddened' By Racist Abuse

Lewis Hamilton says he expected a backlash from Spanish Formula One fans following his falling-out with former team-mate Fernando Alonso, but he has been shocked by the level of abuse he received on Saturday.

The McLaren driver, 23, was subjected to racist comments and was faced with a group of spectators wearing wigs, dark make-up and t-shirts with the slogan "Hamilton's Family" on the front during pre-season testing near Barcelona. And although the Briton insisted he still loves being in Spain, he admitted he was not prepared for what occured at the Circuit de Catalunya, in Montmelo.

"The truth is that I feel somewhat sad, I am in love with this country, and especially the city of Barcelona and this circuit, which is one of my three favourites," Hamilton said.
"The people in Spain have always been very warm with me, and even though I imagined what might happen it has not been pleasant.

"But maybe these types of things make you learn to appreciate more the warmth of the public, who although you always try to be there for them, you never know how important they are to you until these types of things happen."
Alonso has since joined Renault for the new season after a fractious 2007 partnering Hamilton during his rookie season.

"I would like [the Spanish fans] to understand my position," Hamilton said. "The only thing that I have done is to try to give the best of myself and try to win the championship. At no point have I tried to deliberately prejudice Fernando but the fight has been very tough and my image in Spain has been severely damaged."

McLaren have attempted to play down the problems but the sport's governing body, the FIA, have pledged to take a hard line on any future incidents.

"Vodafone McLaren Mercedes have raced and tested on Spanish circuits for many years, and everyone connected with the team regards Spain and the Spanish people with great affection, Lewis included," a McLaren statement said

The FIA, however, have warned that Spain could even be stripped of its grands prix as a result of such incidents, with the country due to host two races this year, at Barcelona and Valencia.
A spokesman said: "FIA are surprised and disappointed at the abuse directed at Lewis Hamilton. An act of this kind is a clear breach of the principles enshrined in the FIA statutes, and any repetition will result in sanctions."

The management at the circuit have also warned spectators about their behaviour. Ramon Pradera, the circuit director, added: "We would like to make a plea to the fans to behave correctly. No type of offensive behaviour can be tolerated."

Aragonés Racist Fine Ridiculous - Henry

Thierry Henry yesterday called on Fifa, the world game's governing body, to order a greater punishment of Spain's national coach Luis Aragonés after his racist comments directed at the Arsenal striker.

Aragonés was fined 3,000 euros (£2,060) by the Spanish football federation earlier this week, a sum that Henry calls "absolutely ridiculous" after the game's anti-racist movment Kick It Out labelled "a tokenistic gesture".

Henry, who was called "a black shit" by Aragonés at a Spanish training session in October, told the Sun: "It's up to Fifa to step in - they are the only ones who can do something . . . they should look at this fine and make it a proper one. They must also tell the Spanish FA to get real.

"You really have to look at the Spanish authorities and they must take a long look at themselves. They obviously don't care about racism.

"It is laughable. They fined him for the sake of it, not because they felt he did something wrong."
The 66-year-old Aragonés did publicly apologise for any offence caused but later said, before November's friendly with England in Madrid, that his conscience was clear about issues of racism.

Manuel Almunia, a club-mate of Henry, sympathises with Aragonés. Arsenal's Spanish goalkeeper says he cannot see why the coach was fined 3,000 euros.

"All this has been exaggerated," Almunia told the sports daily Mundo Deportivo. "We all know Luis Aragonés. "He is a strong personality who was only trying to motivate his players. But racist, not at all. They've fined him 3,000 euros. Well, I don't understand it."

Say No To Racism In Sport

I am going to be investigating the use of racism in football and how it is represented in the media. As a result i will create a campaign poster on anti-racism in football.