History of Racism and Discrimination in Football
Timeline of Key Events
May 2013: FIFA's Stand Against Racism
FIFA launched its first global campaign to combat racism, promoting the message of “No Discrimination” in football. This campaign aimed to raise awareness and introduce strict policies to deter discriminatory behavior on and off the field.
2016: The Birth of “Taking the Knee”
The symbolic act of kneeling during the anthem gained prominence as a protest against racial injustice, inspired by American football player Colin Kaepernick. This movement spread globally, including into football, as a sign of solidarity against racism.
2020 UEFA Euro Final
After missing penalties in the final, England players Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka faced a wave of racial abuse online and in person. This sparked outrage and furthered the call for stronger action against racism in football and social media platforms.
United Against Racism in Football
United Against Racism in Football
Racism continues to cast a shadow over football, with incidents ranging from discriminatory chants to online abuse faced by players like Rio Ferdinand, Marcus Rashford, and Wilfried Zaha. Efforts such as FIFA’s “No Discrimination” campaign and the Premier League’s “No Room for Racism” action plan focus on education, increasing diversity, and raising awareness. While progress is being made, voices from the community, including Zaha, call for stronger action beyond symbolic gestures. By uniting through stricter enforcement, proactive education, and inclusive leadership, the football world can strive for a future free from racism.