Recent incidents highlight a rise in racism towards East and South East Asian players in football, as documented by Kick It Out. The abuse segment for these players has increased significantly, reaching alarming percentages. Educational initiatives and swift punitive actions are crucial in addressing these issues, ensuring accountability while promoting inclusivity and awareness within the sport.
A recent pre-season friendly in Marbella spotlighted a pressing issue within football when Marco Curto, a defender for Italian club Como, racially abused Wolverhampton Wanderers’ South Korean forward Hwang Hee-chan. This incident has been emblematic of a growing problem: the increasing racism faced by East and South East Asian players. Last season, the charity Kick It Out documented 473 cases of racist abuse in England’s professional leagues, with 12 percent directed at players of this heritage—a worrying trend slurred further by year-on-year increases in reported incidents.
Sam Okafor, CEO of Kick It Out, highlighted the alarming statistics, noting that over the last five seasons, 35 percent of player-specific abuse has involved East and South East Asian athletes. In just the last season, 48 percent of abuse targeted players from these communities. The backlash to Curto’s abuse was evident, with players like Daniel Podence reacting fiercely, leading to his sending off. FIFA subsequently sanctioned Curto with a 10-match ban due to discriminatory behavior.
Racial attitudes in football can sometimes extend beyond the players, as evidenced by comments made by Tottenham Hotspur’s Rodrigo Bentancur about teammate Son Heung-min. Though Son accepted Bentancur’s apology, the latter faces potential bans upon review by an independent commission for his remarks deemed offensive. Como’s bizarre defense of Curto’s actions, suggesting they were related to Jackie Chan, reflects a general lack of understanding regarding acceptable behavior, and Okafor emphasized the need for further education to combat racism.
The history of Frank Soo, recognized this weekend at England’s National Football Museum, illustrates the longstanding challenges faced by players of East Asian descent within the sport. Born to a British mother and Chinese father, Soo was the first player of Chinese heritage in the Football League and played a notable role during wartime. His legacy is now championed by the Frank Soo Foundation, which seeks to honor his contributions and support current players from East Asian backgrounds.
Alan Lau, founder of the Frank Soo Foundation, explains that the uptick in racist incidents could correlate with the inclusion of more high-profile players from East Asian communities, yet it reflects a broader public misunderstanding of racism. He underscores a cultural insensitivity that allows some forms of racial abuse to persist, which are not recognized by the public in the same way other forms of racism, such as monkey chants, are.
Racism in football extends into the stands where East and South East Asian fans frequently face discrimination. Lau points out that socio-economic factors contribute to resentment towards these fans, sometimes resulting in racism as a misguided response to their perceived presence in sporting arenas. Accessibility and affordability issues fuel this animosity, but it is imperative to distinguish economic grievances from racial prejudice.
Kick It Out’s data underscores a grim reality where incidents of player-specific abuse have consistently increased, particularly against East and South East Asian players whose reports have surged dramatically. Last season, while the average reporting of player-specific abuse was two per incident, for East and South East Asian abuse, it rose to an average of 8.6 reports per incident, indicating a growing awareness and willingness to report these issues.
Okafor reiterated that each reported incident necessitates thorough investigation, with appropriate sanctions—a mix of bans, fines, or educational measures. The severity of Curto’s 10-game suspension suggests a zero-tolerance stance against racism in football. Furthermore, Kick It Out aims to replicate previous educational projects to foster respect and understanding for East and South East Asian communities, alongside the continued support from the Frank Soo Foundation, demonstrating a commitment to combat racism in all forms.
The article reveals a concerning increase in racial abuse incidents faced by East and South East Asian football players, exemplified by a recent incident involving Hwang Hee-chan. Kick It Out’s statistics indicate a significant rise in reports, warranting urgent attention and action. Societal perceptions contribute to this issue, necessitating enhanced educational programs alongside stricter sanctions against offenders to cultivate a more accepting environment in football and beyond.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
