Racism alive and kicking in the world game
Columnist By Mike Tuckerman, 6 Mar 2009 Mike Tuckerman is a Roar Expert
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.
Recommend this story.
Follow Mike on twitter @Mike_Tuckerman
- Explore:
- Claudio Ranieri, Euro 2008, European Championship, football, World Football
March 6th 2009 @ 4:38pm
Robbos said | March 6th 2009 @ 4:38pm | Report comment
Of Course, this does not make it right.
March 6th 2009 @ 6:24pm
midfield general said | March 6th 2009 @ 6:24pm | Report comment
Unfortunately football sometimes holds up a mirror to the society. We can take solace in what happened in UK over the last thirty years. In 70′s and 80′s black players used to have bananas thrown at them along with verbal abuse, but evolution of multicultural society in UK has totally eradicated this poison, at least in football grounds. Groups like National Front has been relegated to the lunatic fringe in UK.
Don’t forget there was an ugly war in the Balkans not too long ago and my theoy is that these societies are yet to recover from it, and fascism is a manifestation of that. As for Spain and Italy, I don’t really know, but maybe there has always been an ultra right wing element in these societies – remember di Canio’s Nazi salute and `ultras’ are well known presence in football stadiums.
March 6th 2009 @ 6:46pm
Sam said | March 6th 2009 @ 6:46pm | Report comment
The Italians and Spanish to me have had a very bad attitude over the past few years to black Africans. I think it is a supremacy thing, and perhaps the same applies here with the Chinese situation. After meeting many Chinese people in the last few years, I have found them to be very courteous and polite people. I think in this case it is Ranieri’s attitude which stinks. It is something which doesn’t need to be said and will only cause problems down the track.
March 6th 2009 @ 6:58pm
Dave said | March 6th 2009 @ 6:58pm | Report comment
Mike
Always had great respect for Ranieri after the way he conducted himself in response to the shameless treatment he received from Chelski, so disappointing to hear of this incident. Certainly hope its a one off and he makes an apology.
As has been said above already as the world game football will reflect and mirror the full range of societal values. Unfortunately some of them are quite unpleasant but at least FIFA seem to be making significant efforts to try and eradicate the problem.
The issues in Italy, Spain and other southern Euro countries may well be linked to the increased level of so called ‘illegal’ immigration from Northern Africa
March 6th 2009 @ 7:36pm
Grant said | March 6th 2009 @ 7:36pm | Report comment
Great article, Mike. Racism is definitely a sore that needs to be treated (feel free to use that sometime).
Was very interesting to read about the Spartak Moscow fans producing banners against their own players. Great minds at work there…
And Dave, maybe it is a case of the illegal immigration of these countries playing a part. Or maybe it’s just the immigration that people don’t like, which in turn makes it plain old Xenophobia. The biggest problem is that such a prominent figure can come out and say something so offensive, so publicly and not show any remorse.
March 6th 2009 @ 7:42pm
The Answer said | March 6th 2009 @ 7:42pm | Report comment
I love the way people attack people for using a generalisation by using sweeping statements themselves, “lunatic”, “bumbling fool”. He has been employed by some of the biggest clubs in the world, you are writing on a blog based in Australia. I think I know who has more of an idea about the game.
Sam, you say “The Italians and Spanish to me have had a very bad attitude over the past few years to black Africans. I think it is a supremacy thing, and perhaps the same applies here with the Chinese situation. After meeting many Chinese people in the last few years, I have found them to be very courteous and polite people.”
I too have met many Spanish and Italian people who have been polite and courteous, probably so courteous they would dismiss your generalisation that they all have a problem with black Africans as merely the mumblings of an incredibly naive person who has probably lived a very sheltered life.
This isn’t the first time you have made such comments about the Spanish and Italians, the last time it was they were all cheats, now they are all racists as well.
Finally Mike, if the Chinese are so put off by Raineri’s comments why are they still piling through the gates at the Super Cup?
Probably they don’t care. It isn’t like they aren’t prone to a bit of racism themselves…….
March 6th 2009 @ 7:49pm
Sam said | March 6th 2009 @ 7:49pm | Report comment
The Answer
Stick to rugby champ. If you have seen what Italian and Spanish supporters have done over the past few years maybe you would see my point of view. Even an Italian player by the name of Di Cannio. If you approve of Ranieri’s comments then just come out and say so. I have European background so I know the attitudes of many Europeans. You really are a fool!
March 6th 2009 @ 7:56pm
The Answer said | March 6th 2009 @ 7:56pm | Report comment
Is that the Italian player Di Canio?
Sadly for you Sam, I watch plenty of European football, perhaps I’m more developed to be able to appreciate more codes of football. Yes, there have been incidents but to claim they are “all” like that is to fall into the same racist mindset of those you commit the acts. It also means people don’t look at fixing the problem because it is merely something “they all do”.
It is like saying all Australian football fans are hooligans because of the actions of a few Sydney FC or Victory fans or before them Sydney United and Bonnyrigg White Eagles fans.
March 6th 2009 @ 7:58pm
midfield general said | March 6th 2009 @ 7:58pm | Report comment
I agree with Answer, you have to be careful with sweeping generalizations. All societies are complex melting pots of attitudes and opinions. But as far as soccer is concerned, Australian fans are more highly evolved. it warmed my heart to see Jonas Salley receiving a standing ovation from Adelaide fans (you’re still a bunch of pissants). Different story in AFL, I’ve been to Collingwood games where I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, most malicious racial abuse shouted out to Aboriginal players.
March 6th 2009 @ 7:59pm
Sam said | March 6th 2009 @ 7:59pm | Report comment
The Answer
It seems by your last statemet that you accept racism ‘because it is merely something people do’. Yes, I thought so…