OF RACISM AND SPORTS

The world of sports came under the microscope over the past week for two incidents which have racial connotations. The first news of racial talk this week came from America, specifically within the NBA circles.



Donald Sterling

The billionaire owner of the NBA franchise Los Angeles Clippers (LAC), Donald Sterling, was heard on a tape cautioning his girlfriend not to bring or hang around with ‘blacks’ (men) to/ at his games. This comment among others caused uproar within the NBA and outside of it, warranting Barack Obama, a well known NBA fan to call on NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver whom he described as a ‘good man’ to ‘address this’ since NBA is ‘steeped in African-American culture’.

Adam Silver has since delivered his verdict: a lifetime ban for Donald Sterling. a $2.5 million fine and conducting any business dealings on behalf of the LACs; a verdict NBA legend Magic Johnson, who has been harsher in his condemnation of Donald Sterling, is happy about.



NBA Commissioner Adam Silver

NBA experts speculated that Donald Sterling may be forced to sell his franchise which is estimated to fetch him a whooping $1 billion (Don Sterling purchased the team in 1981 for a sum of $ 12 Million), an amount some have described as profits rather than loss from racial comments. 

 

Spain is a known football nation and through the exploits of the two biggest clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid they have build a very formidable brand. But an ugly incident on Sunday night ignited talk about racism in football and whether enough is being done to eradicate or end it.

It happened to be a game between Barcelona and Villarreal. There was a corner to be taken by Barcelona and their Brazilian right back Dani Alves went over to take it. Before he could kick the ball, a fan threw a banana at him. This in football is a racial slur. Instead of remonstrating or getting furious, he rather picked the banana, peeled it and ate it. This won him a very great respect in the eyes of many football lovers globally for his bravery, maturity and advancing FIFAs ‘Say NO TO Racism’ campaign.

Dani Alves isn’t the only player to have been abused. Last year we saw another footballer, former AC Milan midfielder, Kevin- Prince Boateng walk off of the pitch during a game following the opposing fans racist chants. Mario Ballottelli of AC Milan wept from being abused. The action by KP Boateng resulted in him becoming a FIFA Ambassador against racism in football.

Racism is very high in the Eastern part of Europe than in the West and it is for this reason that it is highly unpardonable, unacceptable and very much despicable for this action on Dani Alves to be accepted. Remember Villarreal is a known team in the Spanish league and featured one of the longest serving black footballers, Marcus Senna. Senna, who was darker than Alves rose to become the teams captain. The fans never saw anything wrong with that yet are now displaying this side of their character.

Marcus Senna, former Villarreal captain

 

Sports is seen as a conduit to foster unity, friendship and raise down the imaginary walls of racism and discrimination aside the excitement it grants sports enthusiasts. Yet in this 21^st century when the world is more connected with technology serving as a skate board to understand, respect and appreciate humanity, many still harbor myopic sentiments about such things as ones skin colour and where s/he comes from.

The likes of Donald Sterling and the fans of Villarreal are out rightly shameful and must not be handled with kid’s gloves by who are the exact the punishment. Fines and suspensions and jail terms are good but then sterner sanctions must be slapped on culprits. Sports mustn’t be left to serve as a vehicle to spread hate, bigotry and offensive homophobia and racial abuse.

As Kanye West said in one of his lyrics ‘Racism is still alive they only concealing it’. Time for the veil of concealment to be lifted and confronted with the zeal it deserves.