Racism alive and kicking in the world game

Columnist

By Mike Tuckerman, 6 Mar 2009 Mike Tuckerman is a Roar Expert

Tagged:: Claudio Ranieri, Euro 2008, European Championship, football, World Football

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Claudio Ranieri has always struck me as a daft individual. The Fleet Street press memorably labelled him “The Tinkerman” because of his penchant for needlessly rotating his squad during his days as Chelsea coach. But maybe something like “The Lunatic” is a more appropriate handle.

Surely there’s a few bats loose in the belfry when it comes to Ranieri.

How else can one comprehend his inexplicable remarks to Rai TV after Lazio beat Juventus in the Coppa Italia on Tuesday night?

“I did not like the entire direction of the match. I found the official was tough with us, on the field it seemed as if he was Chinese, as it was always yellow cards with us,” complained Ranieri.

The remark went largely unnoticed in Italy – the Italian press are probably used to the tottering Juventus coach putting his foot in his mouth – but in China, his ill-advised statement has caused a furore.

And rightly so.

What on earth was Ranieri trying to say? Several theories have been proffered, from Ranieri making a statement about corruption in Chinese football, to the supposedly card-happy nature of Chinese referees.

But a sceptic – and I’m one of them – might suggest that Ranieri was linking the colour of the cards dished out by referee Paolo Tagliavento to the perceived colour of Chinese skin.

What makes Ranieri’s remark all the more incredible is the fact that next season’s Italian Super Cup match will be played in Beijing.

If Juventus do go on to win the Coppa Italia, Ranieri has single-handedly managed to put his team offside with just about every Chinese ticket-holder that piles through the gates.

And this in an age where European clubs froth at the prospect of parting Asian fans from their hard-earned cash.

The problem with Ranieri’s remark is not that it was made by a dim-witted fool, but rather that it’s tacitly accepted by the Italian football community.

Why wouldn’t it be? Just this week Roma fans were fined for directing racist chants towards Inter striker Mario Balotelli – and Balotelli is an Italian U-21 international!

Former Arsenal star Patrick Vieira has complained bitterly about racism in Serie A.

“Being a black player in Italy is difficult compared to other countries because you always receive abuse,” said Vieira in December last year. “I have been in Italy for four years and fans have always given me trouble.”

In an infamous case in 2005, ex-Messina defender Marco Zoro walked from the pitch with ball in hand after receiving incessant racist abuse from travelling Inter fans.

And the problem is not just confined to Italy.

In 2004, Spanish coach Luis Aragonés appeared unperturbed when he was caught on camera referring to Thierry Henry as a “black shit.”

Bemused by the subsequent outcry, Aragonés went on to win Euro 2008 with his native Spain.

At the U-21 European Championships in 2007, England’s Justin Hoyte and Nedum Onuoha were not only racially abused by Serbian fans, but allegedly by Serbian players as well.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the former Yugoslav republics and much of eastern Europe remain hotbeds of xenophobia.

It would be interesting to note what Dinamo Moscow midfielder Luke Wilkshire makes of the trip across town to face Spartak.

Fans at the Luzhniki Stadium routinely unfurl racist banners directed at their own players.

Eastern European expert Johnathan Wilson has argued that racism involving eastern European teams often prompts unhelpful sanctimony from those in the west.

Certainly socio-economic factors should be taken into account when it comes to the complex issue of racism in sport.

But Claudio Ranieri has no excuse.

He’s a well-paid, well-travelled individual in charge of a cosmopolitan group of young men.

He should know better than to make racially-based remarks – no matter how flippant or innocent their intention.

It’s ironic that just a night after Ranieri was making his harebrained comment, UEFA was launching yet another anti-racist initiative.

While the suggestion has been made that Serie A games be halted in the case of racist chanting, there’s no word yet on what the governing body will do the next time Claudio Ranieri decides to open his mouth.

Follow Mike on twitter @Mike_Tuckerman

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The Crowd Says (23) | Page 1 of Comments

Marlon said | March 6th 2009 @ 8:22am | Report comment

Whilst I agree that Ranieri ‘s comments about the “Chinese” ref were out of order, to call him a lunatic is rather over the top and shows a lack of knowledge towards the Italian Serie A and the current season. I am a very close follower of Italian football and Ranieri, and Juventus for that matter, have conducted themselves with style and respect for others in regard to the media and their comments. Juventus will fine Ranieri, a well deserved fine, but we should look at the event as a one off slip up by a coach that Gus Hiddink described as a “Gentleman of Football”. The same can not be said about Jose Maurinho who has conducted himself in a shameless manner throughout the year. Why don’t you write an article about his stupid remarks (outburst) on monday when he lashed out at Ancelotti, Spalletti and Ranieri along with their respective teams. Maurinho,whilst good for the game as an all round entertainer, has reached a point of arrogance and self promotion that can not only ruin the game, but help to ignite football violence. The relationship between Juventus and Inter has always been a rather hot one. After mondays comments by Maurinho, the so called “derby of Italy” has taken on a new meaning. Mike, a good effort, but Maurinho is the monster. Go after him.

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Kazama said | March 6th 2009 @ 9:00am | Report comment

Mike, I agree with this article and the assumption that Ranieri’s comment was a racist one. I think while racism is still unfortunately alive and well it is up to those with a public voice not to encourage these mentalities with daft comments like that but try to encourage a move in the opposite direction. Otherwise it will never be overcome.

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Barry White said | March 6th 2009 @ 9:13am | Report comment

Mourinho has earned the right to be arrogant. He is an intelligent individual who has won several trophies across Europe and while his comments at times are scathing he has never crossed the line in terms of racism. Ranieri is a bumbling fool who is cut deep because Mourinho always manages to pull the rug from under him.

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Marlon said | March 6th 2009 @ 10:00am | Report comment

Barry, when Maurinho has won as much as Fabio Capello, Marcello Lippi, Ferguson, Hiddink, Trapattoni and Carlo Ancelotti then he can be arrogant. Until that day he should get back in his corner. Whilst Maurinho has not as yet made racist comments, hit tantrum on monday shows a lack of intelligence, a complete disrespect for his fellow coaches and an arrogance that can be costly. Just ask Roberto Mancini what arrogance and over confidence in ones role can lead to.

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Slippery Jim said | March 6th 2009 @ 10:18am | Report comment

Marlon, Mourinho is a gifted psychologist. He always uses this tactic to put the pressure and attention on himself to take it away from his players. And he is called the Special One for a reason. His record speaks for itself, and includes being named the world’s best football manager by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) for both the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons.

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Pippinu said | March 6th 2009 @ 10:36am | Report comment

The irony is that the Chinese absolutley adore Italian football – they themselves are in the best position to be accepting of such behaviour or not.

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Lazza said | March 6th 2009 @ 11:05am | Report comment

There’s racism in World Football because there’s racism in the World. Let’s not get too precious, Cricket had it’s fair share in this country and it wasn’t that long ago that I’d go and watch an AFL game and hear the most disgusting comments directed against aboriginal players.

Some countries are a few years ahead in stamping it out, the rest will have to follow or face the consequences.

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True Tah said | March 6th 2009 @ 11:16am | Report comment

These countries where racism is rampart also happen to be monocultural backwaters, especially those in Eastern Europe, and the East Europeans would have to be amongst the most racist people in the world, they probably have minimal interaction with say African people. That futbol is the only major sport in these places would provide an extension for this fear of people with dark skin.

Australia’s past record may not be stellar in race relations, but it sure as hell is lot more advanced than plenty of these supposebly superior European nations. An African bloke can play in Australia without having crowds chanting monkey noises.

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David V. said | March 6th 2009 @ 2:24pm | Report comment

Racism is rife in football alright, only that some get away with it far more than others. And the English, more often than not, can be target of abuse from Italians, French, etc without the slightest hint of censure.

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Robbos said | March 6th 2009 @ 4:37pm | Report comment

I work with a lot of Chinese people & most are lovely people but they are very racist people as well, calling most Anglos ‘Ghost people’, because of the colour of Anglos. So i don’t think the Chinese are up in arms.

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