Thankfully racism in sport is a subject that rarely generates headlines. But Dani Alves from Barcelona and the Los Angeles Clippers have won praise from all over the world for making a stand against it.
First, let’s look at the Barcelona incident.
Against Villareal on Sunday, the Catalan giants had surged forward in an attacking raid. The ball was played in but deflected out for a corner, giving Barcelona a chance to press home their advantage.
As Dani Alves stepped up to the corner post to take the kick, a banana was thrown at his feet by a Villareal fan.
The incident is an example of the sporadic but disgusting displays in Europe in which fans taunt players from opposing teams. The ugly scenes typically involve the targeting of players with darker skin for ridicule by grunting and mimicking ape noises.
In this context, a harmless single piece of fruit lobbed at Alves’ feet takes a much uglier meaning.
So what did he do?
Displaying perfect composure under pressure, Alves didn’t break stride. He leaned over, picked up and peeled the banana, took a bite, brushed off his hands and served up a dangerous swinging corner.
He finished the job with a brilliant jab at the offender after the game, saying “I don’t know who threw the banana, but I want to thank him. It gave me the energy to put two more crosses in for our goals.” Barcelona won the match 3-2.
Now, to the Los Angeles Clippers incident.
The NBA finals series regularly draws viewers in excess of the population of Australia from a global audience. In the fifth playoff match between the LA Clippers and the Golden State Warriors those viewers saw an unusual spectacle.
The entire LA playing roster wore their training t-shirts inside out to obscure the logos on their uniforms.
The move was a silent, dignified, but very public, protest against the racist remarks team owner Donald Sterling allegedly made about his then girlfriend’s social circle.
Among other things, the voice that is said to belong to Sterling says on a recording: “It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people” and “The little I ask you is … not to bring them to my games”.
The problem of racism in sport is far from a remote issue in Australia, as events in the last year have shown.
The controversy surrounding Sydney FC midfielder Ali Abbas earlier this year as well last year’s Adam Goodes/Collingwood/Eddie McGuire incident are two such examples.
The problem is real, as has been shown by the adoption of guidelines in Europe that can penalise top-flight teams for fans’ racism. They can force them to play in deserted stadiums, docking them points or imposing financial penalties for repeated infractions by fans. The A-League, AFL and NRL have taken their own actions to both prevent and deal with racial vilification of their players.
The governing bodies of the sport are also targeting generational change. Each copy of the wildly popular FIFA video game franchise (which has sold over 100 million copies worldwide) carries the “Say No to Racism” message on billboards during in-game match play.
In both incidents from the last 24 hours, the parties involved should be commended for taking action that didn’t hurt fans, or the goals of their own teams, such as a boycott or walk-off. They should also be commended for drawing attention to the issue, through humour and silence, respectively.
The actions of Alves and the Clippers has been met with widespread support from fellow sportspeople, politicians, celebrities and in both print and social media.
That is because sport is a reflection of our society. In Australia, and elsewhere, there is no tolerance in the vast majority of the community for the idiotic notion held by a foolish minority. Vilifying or insulting a person based on the colour of their skin, culture or religion is never acceptable.
By using humour and a silent protest, Alves and the Clippers have shown that those who project their ignorant beliefs on others will rightly be ridiculed by society. In doing so they have joined a celebrated list of athletes who have demonstrated to sports fans everywhere that racism has no place in sport.
Raj Padarath
Roar Pro
Quite apart from inconsistency, there were a lot of reports around the team that Khawaja needed a bit of an attitude adjustment to be part of the long term set up. It was never defined what exactly, but at least it means his future is in his own hands.
James
Guest
Yes, just ask their major sponsors...
Ryan Ranger
Guest
Any there similar "certain factors" as to why Fawad Ahmed hasn't been selected for Australia since the ODI series in England?
Trent Masenhelder
Roar Guru
James - Interesting conspiracy theory. Can't agree with it, but interesting. Don't think anyone would argue that Bailey was incredibly lucky to keep his place throughout the series. But when you're winning, the team can cover for blokes out of form. Australia's batting lineup is by no means settled, and is ageing, so if Khawaja is as good as you say he is, I'm confident he'll find himself back in the team, without prejudice. Personally, I can't see it happening any time soon. And I've been a big fan of his.
James
Guest
Usman has never played more than 3 tests in a row. Cricket Australia's 'golden-boy' Bailey (who was selected off NO first-class cricket and/or form) was carried for 5 tests. How can he go out to bat the way he instinctively would, knowing that the knives would come unjustly at him. He fought his way back into the squad. Earned his spot on the attrocious losing Ashes tour. He made a gutsy 50 at Lords and received a disgusting decision in another test, and all of a sudden he's on the chopping block again. The MCC appeared to be finishing off what CA couldn't. The series was done and dusted, and Australia's most promising batsmen at the time is dropped for the test at The Oval? Very, very strange call.
Trent Masenhelder
Roar Guru
Spot on AR
AR
Guest
Wow. Usman Khawaja not selected for racial issues..? I thought it was just because he didn't make enough runs.
Trent Masenhelder
Roar Guru
James - sorry, can't agree that Khawaja is the most gifted batsman since Mark Waugh. He's talented, yes, but.. Khawaja has played nine Tests so it's not like he hasn't been given a go. And just two scores over 50 and average of 25 for a 'gifted' batsman isn't good enough. Five scores under 20, as well.
James
Guest
Lets not forget about Usman Khawaja who has not been selected for HIS country continually based on "certain factors", despite being clearly the most gifted Australian batsman since ME Waugh. These agendas have all but halted this fine young man's career, for now that is. Great article Raj, was a great read.
Trent Masenhelder
Roar Guru
Petty incident hey? This is the 21st century, where society has been educated around racism and discrimination. Sadly, Bob, there is a massive problem regards racism in sport, as there is in society. The taping of the conversation, whilst poor, isn't the primary issue or concern here. Time and again we’ve seen athletes say no to racism, only for authorities to let them down by not following their lead, slapping offenders on the wrist with a feather. UEFA, the NFL, and European Tour, are just some of the blundering bodies that have had the opportunity to make a strong statement – that racism is and will not be condoned. They all failed. At Euro 2012, UEFA fined Danish striker, Nicklas Bendtner, was fined $138,000 and banned for one game for promoting a betting agency on the waistband of his underwear while celebrating a goal against Portugal. As if the over-the-top sanction wasn’t enough, when you compare it to some of the fines UEFA has handed out for incidents relating to racism, it’s plain farcical. The Serbian Football Federation was fined $23,000 for racially abusing England’s Nedum Onuoha at the European Under-21 Championship in the Netherlands, while Porto was also slapped with a $23,000 fine after some of their fans subjected then Manchester City striker, Mario Balotelli, to prolonged racist abuse, during a Europa League tie. These incidents should not have happened. Nobody should be made to feel improper because of the colour of their skin. But, with governing bodies making ridiculous decisions such as the ones I've outlined, I guess these "petty incidents" will keep happening.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
It's ambush marketing, Raj. Clearly the banana industry are behind this.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
There has certainly been a level of dignified maturity exhibited in response to these incidents which has proven to be rather effective in highlighting the opposing attributes of the offenders.
Raj Padarath
Roar Pro
Obviously I and a few others disagree here Bob, could you explain what political agendas or ideologies you believe are being promoted?
Raj Padarath
Roar Pro
That's right AR, any proposed changes haven't been enacted yet, interesting to see Rugby Union players David Pocock and Roar writer Clyde Rathbone both involved in the debate in Canberra about it.
AR
Guest
We don't have those new found rights just yet...the "discussion paper" is currently being reviewed. But if the Govt gets its way, it'll be open slather for all! Yee haw!
AZ_RBB
Guest
Bob is exercising his new found right to be a bigot. Good on ya mate.
josh
Roar Rookie
Bob, you are way off the mark here.
Steve
Guest
How is being against racism a political agenda? Of course there is a problem of racism in sport, as in society as a whole. It's just that when racism is experienced on a professional sporting ground, potentially millions of people can see it on TV and online, as opposed to if it happens walking down George St. Bigots always seem to have a problem when the victims of racism fight back.
Bob Anderson
Guest
There is no "problem of "racism"" in sport. There is a problem of political agendas which view sport as another means to promote their ideology by politicizing and overpublicizing petty incidents and even illegal recordings of private conversations.