Recent incidents of racism in football, particularly in the English Premier League, have rocked the pillars of the game and everything it stands for — particularly at promoting unity in diversity.
Footballers are role models for the younger generation. The recent actions of some of them, however, have shattered the edifice of the principles that Fifa stands for — ‘united against racism' being one of its most important core values. Ironically, Fifa president Sepp Blatter himself faltered, failing to uphold this ideal.
Chelsea skipper John Terry and Liverpool's Luis Suarez have both been accused of on-field racist slurs, but equally disappointing has been the official action by their respective clubs, in publicly standing by their high-value players. Liverpool even went to the extent of printing T-shirts with an image of Suarez and instructed their squad to wear it during training. Chelsea considered it, but changed their mind later.
What these clubs should have done was issue a zero-tolerance policy against racism, given that they operate in culturally diverse England. Their actions were a mockery of the Football Association's judgement.
As expectations by clubs, fans, officials and players spiral out of control, football needs a harsh reality check — but it must first look within itself.
