Racism in Soccer

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Soccer has been called “The Beautiful Game” for decades now. The name, thought to have been created by Stuart Hall in 1958, carries an air of respect for the sport around the world. However, in recent years, fans of soccer have brought shame to the name coined decades ago. These fans, and even players, have resorted to using racial slurs against their opponents in an effort to discourage and intimidate their targets. What was once a gentleman’s game has in part devolved into a hooligan’s game. Racist slurs and chants are used by a few individuals, and while it is a small minority using these words, it is an intolerable practice that needs to be eradicated through education and positive change in society. Luis Suarez, the Uruguayan striker who plays for English club, Liverpool, was accused and found guilty of calling French defender, Patrice Evra, a “negrito” during the 2011/12 season. The South American asserted that the word was not a slur in his home and he had still not acclimated to English life properly. From the beginning of the accusation until now, Liverpool supported Suarez and claimed the Uruguayan did nothing wrong. The English Football Association (FA) found Suarez guilty of racial abuse and banned the player for a meager 8 games. This type of ban deters the despicable act of abuse based on race. If the FA needed to make an example of a player, Suarez was their best bet. The FA showed players that no matter what status you are, superstar or reserve player, you will be held accountable for your actions. Or at least they could have. John Terry, who until recently was the captain of the English National Team, was accused of racial abusing Anton Ferdinand during a game between Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers in 2011. The former English skipper could be seen calling Ferdinand a racial slur. In England, racial abuse falls under intention to harass, alarm, or

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