{"id":49,"date":"2013-02-25T07:29:00","date_gmt":"2013-02-25T07:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sjbealehrconsult-co-uk.php5.hostingweb.co.uk\/blog\/?p=49"},"modified":"2014-01-22T13:16:11","modified_gmt":"2014-01-22T12:16:11","slug":"racism-in-football-lessons-we-should-learn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sjbealehrconsult.co.uk\/blog\/racism-in-football-lessons-we-should-learn\/","title":{"rendered":"Racism in Football – Lessons We Should Learn"},"content":{"rendered":"

Racism in football has long been making the headlines. \u00a0The most recent case is\u00a0Nicolas Anelka a West Brom player who made the controversial quenelle gesture after scoring a goal against West Ham. \u00a0The quenelle gesture is an anti semetic sign and it is said Anelka was supporting Dieudonn\u00e9 M’bala M’bala\u00a0an anti Zionist French comedian who has recently been in the media for his comments. \u00a0Anelka has been banned by the Football Association. \u00a0Zoopla, a sponsor of West Brom has now withdrawn its support. \u00a0Racism has long been inherent in football, but there are lessons we should learn.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the beginning of the twentieth century Walter Tull was the first black man to play for Tottenham Hotspur. \u00a0It is believed that his glittering career was cut short by racism; he was dropped from the first team then sold to Northampton Town.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1914 Tull enlisted in the Footballers Battalion (Middlesex Regiment). \u00a0He was promoted three times after leading a raid across enemy lines. \u00a0He was then recommended for a Military Cross for outstanding bravery and leadership, however, he never received this. \u00a0His family were informed that he had been recommended by two fellow officers who broke the rules to do so. \u00a0According to the manual of Military Law infantry officers had to be of pure European descent. \u00a0Tull was killed in action in the Somme in 1918. \u00a0In 1999 Northampton Town unveiled a memorial in his honour. \u00a0Hopes are growing that finally he will be recognised for the sacrifice he made. \u00a0A play about his life is being unveiled at a theatre in Bolton.<\/p>\n

In December 2012 Liverpool’s Suarez was given an eight match ban and a \u00a340,000 fine after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United’s Evra. \u00a0In July ex-England captain John Terry was in a high profile racism case, but he was cleared of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand. \u00a0There is a long way to go to reduce racism in football. \u00a0Many management and boardroom positions are all white and all male, there is no diversity. \u00a0 There is evidence to show that homophobia is a bigger problem than discrimination.<\/p>\n

Racial discrimination is damaging to all organisations, not just the football industry. \u00a0It occurs when a person is treated less favourably because of their race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin. \u00a0The Equality Act makes it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against other employees because of these characteristics.<\/p>\n

ACAS describes four areas of discrimination:<\/p>\n