Dear all
I don't usually reply to these circulars in order not to clog up inboxes, but this one demands a response.
Clearly, the mutual back patting that the English game has indulged in over its 'excellent' record in tackling racism needs some serious revision, without taking away the gains that have been made in many respects.
However, I'm afraid the PFA statement, welcome though it is in its intent, has some serious shortcomings. It was rushed out without proper consultation and is a dogs dinner as a result. The privileging of racial discrimination over and above those relating to homophobia and other forms of discrimination is unfortunate, even if it is the current topic of most concern. Tackling discrimination in football must be comprehensive and the 'tagging on' of other forms of discrimination in Point 6 is insulting to those who suffer such discrimination. Also, there is the rather laughable failure to recognise that anti-Semitism and discrimination against Asian people IS racism, and not some subset of it. It appears that the PFA have responded to the legitimate concerns of their black members without considering the wider implications. Sexism in football doesn't even get a mention.
Kick it Out have indeed been given a good kicking due to no fault of their own. The weaknesses of pushing anti-discrimination work into the hands of an under-funded NGO are now clear for all to see. It has allowed those who are really responsible, especially the clubs, the Leagues, and the FA, to wash their hands of the issue and to evade their proper responsibility to be the organisations who should be taking the lead. Kick it Out have been made the surrogate target for something they have very little power over.
If the PFA want to take a lead on this, they need to withdraw the statement and then use their influence to bring together all the key organisations (including NGOs that are working in respect of the other forms of discrimination) into a round table discussion to develop a wel-funded action plan that is owned by everyone including clubs, governing bodies and Leagues.
Andy Harvey
Birkbeck,University of London
Tel: 07939 652029
On 26/10/2012 12:41, Nova Alexander wrote:
Sport&EU, The Association for the Study of Sport and the European Union can be found at http://www.sportandeu.comHEADLINE: TIME FOR A “ROBERTS RULE”
Author: Delroy Alexander
DATE: OCT. 26, 2012
It was only a few weeks ago that I was warning of a revolt among players of colour. I think it is fair to say that sections, black sections, of the game are in open rebellion.
Having spoken to some of the players, I think it’s obvious, they want some meaningful change.
Once again, the Professional Footballers Association’s chief Gordon Taylor has been amongst the first to act, issuing a new six point plan.
The plan calls for:
- Speeding up the process of dealing with reported racist abuse with close monitoring of any incidents.
- Consideration of stiffer penalties for racist abuse and to include an equality awareness programme for culprits and clubs involved.
- An English form of the 'Rooney rule' - introduced by the NFL in America in 2003 - to make sure qualified black coaches are on interview lists for job vacancies.
- The proportion of black coaches and managers to be monitored and any inequality or progress highlighted.
- Racial abuse to be considered gross misconduct in player and coach contracts (and therefore potentially a sackable offence).
- To not to lose sight of other equality issues such as gender, sexual orientation, disability, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and Asians in football.
Given Mr. Taylor’s members are the ones kicking out….oops….raising concerns, this is as it should be.
For some time it has been clear that younger players are unhappy in a number of areas when it comes to issues of race. Walking into dressing rooms with largely all white management staff is for some an uneasy reality. The demand for a “Roberts Rule” – as I now call the English version - is long overdue. The dearth of people of colour in top coaching and management jobs in the game is unacceptable.
“In the past players had to keep quiet about these sorts of issues because they wanted to stay around the game when they retired, even if it was only in a tired old backroom staff position,” one player put it to me. “We’re far more secure financially now so we don’t have to keep quiet and we are not going to. We’re not having it. It’s time for a real *********** change.”
Such views echo a growing number of black professional players. Jason Roberts’ uncomfortably frank assessments are hard to deny. What’s interesting is his strident, almost defiant, yet intelligent arguments are akin to his bustling game. That never say die attitude comes through. He is pushing and pushing hard and I suspect he has gained a loyal group of followers among younger players and powerful elite players.
Far more troubling than Jason’s pronouncements is the unacceptable way that Sir Alex Ferguson attempted to shut down debate on the issue. Not for the first time, the Legend has over stepped his mark on racial matters, something he could clearly use more education on. His inept attempt to silence Jason was totally uncalled for.
Sir Alex. This is a societal thing. A reality for young people of colour is that the world you command has been unquestionably unfair to us in many respects. We live in an increasingly diverse world and there is a great need for change and a wide array of opinions. Jason has every right to be heard and is only articulating what a lot of the players of colour are saying outside the white lines. They have said it for years behind closed doors.
Also, let’s hope Man U stalwart Rio Ferdinand doesn’t face sanction by the club for putting his boss in an “embarrassing” position by not wearing the Kick It Out shirt recently. The embarrassment was actually Sir Alex, trying to tell grown men of colour that he knows more about racial issues than they do and that he had the audacity to tell them how they should think on the matter.
The players are making the point that the game must change. Now! Unfortunately, Kick It Out, which has done years of laudable work educating players and fans about the need for mutual respect is a casualty. It was clear confidence was shaken during the Suarez affair, with Liverpool FC one of its principal partners responding appallingly. The fact that John
Terry was the principal in “racial slur gate,” had to lead to questions given his work for the organisation in the past.
Interestingly, many of the English game’s authorities are yet to speak on these matters. The Premier League, Football Association and Football League should jump on the PFA plan and endorse it as a first step. It’s not as though these measures are new to them.
One issue these governing agencies have is their own antiquated internal structures and chronic lack of diversity, which means they often find it difficult to accept change. Well, the players are increasingly realising they are the ones with the power. That’s why they should engage Jason more openly, embrace him, not ostracise him.
The most critical thing now is how the debate moves forward. I know there is serious talk about a black players group and there are some militant union campaigners pressing to get involved. And don’t think that agents aren’t loving this. There’s big money at stake. Every TV deal and contract hangs on the players performing. Any opportunity to strengthen their grip on the game will be seized on.
I for one, think we have reached that tricky part of the game. That point where we can see the cracks and fissures, but haven’t quite arrived at game saving solutions.
The PFA’s plan is a sound start. It needs to go further and fast. The game needs to get to grips with the obvious call from its young black professionals to have more of a say in its running.
The current tension is an inevitable part of the process of change. Resistance, concern, tension comes with the movement required to find a new order. US sports have long since gone through this. As our players become wealthier and more financially astute they are inevitably going to look to shift the playing field in their favour. After all, the game is nothing without those that run and kick that little sphere we all love.
Along with the Roberts Rule are we now seeing the beginnings of a US-style players union. Jason, what say you?
ENDS
Delroy Alexander- MB: 17585198190
Chairman, Sacred Sports Foundation
http://www.sacredsportsinc.com/conference/
Delroy Alexander is the Chairman of the Sacred Sports Foundation, a not for profit charity based in the St. Lucia. He is a seasoned sports administrator and is a former Chicago Tribune senior investigative business reporter and a Pulitzer Prize nominee journalist. Founded by former Peterborough, Lincoln City and Macclesfield Town manager Keith Alexander, the Sacred Sports Foundation uses sport to work with disadvantaged Caribbean youth. As well as having partnered with the St. Lucia Football Association, the Foundation signed a three year agreement with Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) and secured important grants from UNESCO and the Australian Government among others. In 2013, the Foundation will host a major conference, Sport in Black & White, focusing on actively looking for and implementing game changing solutions. We will be writing regularly on issues of importance to help spark the debate and to be a catalyst for change.
-- Mobile + 44 (0) 7939 652029 Home + 44 (0) 208 374 6323Sport&EU, The Association for the Study of Sport and the European Union can be found at http://www.sportandeu.com