Racism and Football

By RgQ

It is not merely a sport. It is the world sport, to some it is a tradition and/or a culture, and without a doubt our most favourite past-time. Be it you're alone, with a couple of friends, or even with a bunch of strangers you just met at the gym, there is nearly limitless ways on how and where you can play it. I am talking, of course, about the game of football (or soccer, whichever suits your fancy).

I can fondly remember my primary school days, when the recess period meant the time to go have a kickaround on the field, white shoes and all. Regardless that you just had your PE session earlier that morning playing football, the only boy-thing to do on that short half hour break was to go rampant on the field. On rainy days, we went on collecting old newspapers, bunch it up together with cellophane tapes and off we go at the back of the classroom. Empty cans got stamped on and kicked around while waiting for the bus home, at the same time plans were made on what time we should gather up at the field later that afternoon. Well, at least that what we used to do in our school.

As I grow older (and it became apparent that I have no football talent whatsoever), I realised some element of what had made the game fun had gone with the years, too. Gone were the days when you can just run up to bunch of people and says, "Hi there, may I join the game with you guys for a while?" without getting worried if it was safe or not to do so. Gone also was the days when playing on the same pitch with not 'one of your kind' never bother you a bit. At some point it made me wonder, "Why didn't I noticed there's so much difference in skin colour, religion, political belief, ethnicity and other nonsense in a football game back when I was ten?"

The answer, obviously, is because none of them matters when you are on the pitch.

Unlike what most people believe (or choose to believe, in some convenient cases), racism is not limited on races only. When you comment someone on playing like a Felda boy just because he was from Temerloh, you just committed racism. When you refused a girl her wish to play in your team just because she was a she, you just committed racism. However unintentional as it might be, to label someone else something just because s/he is not 'your kind' is racism.

In our globalising world, when you can go work with anyone anywhere in the world without getting worried of who you are (as long you have the qualifications and skills needed, that is), I would like to believe that there is no more barriers created by centuries of ignorance or prejudice left to look out for. But when now and then I hear news about racism in Earth's most popular game, players and fans alike, I can't help but wonder if our mentality is as modern as our technology.

Forget about racism in World Cup or major leagues elsewhere. Take a deep breath and look around. Can you confidently say that during lectures or on your lunch break at the cafeteria, there is absolutely no diversity in the groups of student around you? With thousands of students, each with unique background to boot, how is the right method for us to show our unity? And with so much difference, do we need to point them out even on the pitch? Most importantly, are we so much better than the next guy that we have the right to do so?

I hailed the Uniten Cup 2008 committee to mandate that each team should consists a minimal three players from different races in their line-up. While some says at least five would be the better number if you want to make any difference, their effort in implementing this rule is in no way can be dismissed as futile. Established teams like AZ-Alkmaar and Sao Paolo proved us again and again that multiracial teams can only excel when the players unite. This spirit of equality and sportsmanship will only benefit us, generation of tomorrow to later face the more than ever globalised world.

With less than two weeks to go until the first kick-off, I strongly encouraged every football fan out there to choose (if you are not already) your favourite team and together we "turun padang" and support them, rain or shine. Together, feel the adrenalin rushing while cheers of excitement echoes from every corner of the field. Let out loud one united voice, let it be heard. Let's kick racism out of football.