By ROSS SUITOR
STAFF WRITER
Racism, such a terrible concept. Thinking someone is lesser than you because they have a different skin tone, other beliefs, or are associated with a discriminated group. Racism still lives in our lives every day. One main aspect that racism is rooted in is sport, specifically soccer. FIFA, the leading soccer organization in the world, has it’s main focus on the development of soccer everywhere. In order for soccer to develop everywhere, there cannot be racism. Racism keeps players from traveling to certain countries or teams. So FIFA created a campaign called ‘Say no to Racism’ in 2006. Many players and celebrities have joined in the cause to help fight racism in soccer. However, with all the good the campaign has done, the fight against racism is far from over.
Europe has become the center of world soccer. All of the best players from around the world are trying to play in Europe for the biggest clubs possible. Unfortunately, some European countries and their people aren’t happy when people of differnet races play in their country. Italy, one of the biggest soccer countries in the world, still suffers heavily from racism. There was a game only a couple of years ago where the team AC Milan were playing in a match against Pro Partia, a fourth tier side in Italy. During the middle of play, with about 25 minutes to go in the match, then AC Milan player Kevin Prince Boateng picked the ball up with his hands and punted the ball into the crowd closest too him. He then removed his shirt and started walking off the field. The rest of the players from both teams followed behind him. This was a great way to protest the racism by Boateng, but it just goes to show how far we are from racism being eradicated from soccer.
Players take a different approach on dealing with racism in soccer. What Boateng did was great and admirable. Bringing the game to a hault really gets the attention of everyone because it affects all fans from being able to view their team play. Other players choose to ignore the comments and signals and laugh at the stupidity of the racism. One Barcelona player, Dani Alves, showed everyone a great way to protest racism. Alves and his Barcelona team were playing in an away match against Villarreal. Barcelona had just earned a corner kick and were setting up to take it. Dani Alves was the one who would serve the ball in from the corner. As Alves lined up to kick the ball, a Villarreal fan threw a banana at Alves. The banana being a racist symbol for his darker skin tone. Dani then proceeded to pick up the banana, peel it, and take a bite off the top. Immediately after taking the bite, Dani dropped the banana and kicked the ball for the corner. Players, celebrities, and the FIFA president praised Alves for his actions. He took an anti-aggressive approach that got attention from all over the world. The opposite type of approach Boateng took. So, racism is still alive in soccer to this day, and it is far from leaving. But the fight against it is strong and continues to grow. We should all follow in the example set by Boateng and Dani Alves.