AT the FA Cup final, Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell was jeered every time he touched the ball. In the stands, one press photographer caught site of some fans abusing Leicester players. Supporters have been celebrating and protesting, causing some civil disturbance, … Continue reading Is everyone ready for the full, uncensored fan experience?
FOOTBALL has always been full of hypocrisy, from self-appointed socialists living in gated communities and driving marque vehicles to clubs trying to position themselves as representatives of a surreal people’s republic that charges its members astronomical sums to be a … Continue reading Anti-racism in football is more than a hashtag – and must go beyond scratching the surface
WE live in extremely troubled times, a confusing era where it often feels as though the lunatics have been handed the keys to the asylum. Powerful leaders that appear to behave like Bond villains, placard-waving crowds baying for blood, the … Continue reading Cancel games and take the teams off – the only solution to combat racism
WE live in extremely troubled times, a confusing era where it often feels as though the lunatics have been handed the keys to the asylum. Powerful leaders that appear to behave like Bond villains, placard-waving crowds baying for blood, the … Continue reading Cancel games and take the teams off – the only solution to combat racism
It had been a PR disaster week for Wigan Athletic and events off the field looked certain to keep the club in the headlines, for all the wrong reasons, for a few weeks to come. In 2013, when the Latics won the FA Cup, they were everyone’s darlings. Their manager, Roberto Martinez, was a sought-after commodity, and their Chairman, Dave Whelan, and his persona of “straight-talking good bloke”, was admired by everyone. Wigan were a great example of a small club that had “got it right”, we were told. Whelan and Mackay In the past week, they have hired Malky … Continue reading Calling in on Wigan Athletic….In a week of own goals
The events in recent weeks around accusations of racism (John Terry , Mark Clattenburg and that Letchworth-based man) and anti-semitism (West Ham crowd) have brought the subject very much to the forefront of media debate. Should we be surprised that such language exists at football matches? No. Prejudice has always existed at football grounds, among football people and basically, among the masses. Despite a huge percentage of professional footballers (indeed sportsmen) being black, you still hear people describe them as “spades”, “darkies” and other such insults. While black players of your own club are OK, those of the opposition are … Continue reading Anti-semitism and racism in football – it exists but ostriches prevail
