Racism is everywhere, including sports.
"There is no racism in football, and if ever anyone was racially abused in the field during a match, the victim must accept the racial abuse with a handshake, and the problem is solved."
This is the callous statement made by FIFA Boss Sepp Blatter during his recent interview with CNN. This statement has caused criticism worldwide against Blatter, who seems to be in this world but doesn't know what is going on in the world regarding racism in soccer.
No one could believe a man of the caliber of Blatter and overall soccer boss could ever make such a statement.
Racism and discrimination in soccer are strong like a tornado sweeping objects across its path. It is like incurable cancer, eating the flesh of its victims, yet Blatter doesn't know about this.
Real Zaragoza was fined 600 euros by the Spanish Football Federation after a section of the fans chanted racial abuse at Barcelona forward player Samuel Eto'o. 600 euros fine?
That is nothing. In regard to such cases and to avoid such things in football matches, fines should be between 10,000 and 20,000 euros. This will convince the world that sports officials and organizations are working hard to eliminate racism in soccer entertainment.
In Italy, an Ivorian defender with the team Messina threatened to stop a match in November 2005 after being a victim of football racism. In both Eastern and Western countries, English black players have been continuous victims of racial abuse on soccer fields.
What is the significance of this racial abuse? Is it because the black players are incredibly good, or just to stir racial hatred or bloodshed?
If the National Football Association, Ethnic Communities, and Anti-Racial Campaigners want to convince the world that they are trying their best or working hard to eliminate racism in football, then a "handshake" shouldn't be the solution.
Any footballer who abuses a black footballer with racial remarks must suffer a heavy fine that will go to the victim as compensation. This will serve as a lesson, and racism in football will be reduced or eliminated.
