This is how FIFA Defines "Political" in Ban on "political...slogans, statements or images" The rules of soccer are published in a document called The Laws of the Game. According to the Laws of the Game (2018/2019), Law 04, Section 5: "Equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images...For any offence the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA.” Whilst ‘religious’ and ‘personal’ are relatively easily defined, ‘political’ is less clear but slogans, statements or images related to the following are not permitted [*]any person(s), living or dead [*]any local, regional, national or international political party/organisation/group, etc.any local, regional or national government or any of its departments, offices or functions [*]any organisation which is discriminatory [*]any organisation who [whose] aims / actions are likely to offend a notable number of people [*]any specific political act / event [*]"When commemorating a significant national or international event, the sensibilities of the opposing team (including its supporters) and the general public should be carefully considered." So if I'm reading that correctly, this 'Black Power' action at the beginning of games is actually against the rules
[*]any organisation which is discriminatory which it surely is, in laymen's terms its we matter the rest of you can eff off
It is against the rules, but much like society in general the rules only really apply to white people
I think it's time they put symbolic gestures to bed and go about actual activism at this point. If they want to make a difference they ought to make a difference. At this stage the pre-game kneel doesn't mean much. If they don't, they should just stop.
I doubt supporting most things that Millwall fans do is ever right. Trump was against 'bending the knee' i doubt supporting his ideas is ever right.
The booing is a disgrace. It looks ****ing terrible for the country. 2020 has shone a spotlight on some very, very outdated and ignorant behaviour amongst people across the political spectrum. Not being arsed with people kneeling with change is one thing. Quietly and constructively disagreeing with it another. But actively protesting people who are protesting for racial equality... It just feels like these people are happily taking their place on the wrong side of history.
I have had the 'pleasure' if that is the right word of visiting the Old Den (cold blow Lane) and the New Den not far away from old. The fans definitely support their team which is good and they revel in being disliked (which i sort of admire them for) but the place is certainly National Front (in days gone by) and BNP friendly.. in that Millwall let's itself down badly.
There are a lot of black players in football and if their team mates want to display their unity and respect for their team mates good luck to them. Funnily enough it’s generally white people who have an issue with this.
This 'taking the knee' idea should have been done at the beginning of the season to make a point about solidarity, which I agree with and people would have respected (even Millwall fans, who, in the main, are disgusting), but the stupidity of continuing is pointless, and detracts from the original message please log in to view this image It's now so obvious to me that this is now regarded as a 'black power' message, which is racist and why it's not respected anymore. The idiocy of continuing with what is regarded by everyone that I've spoken to about it as such, is why I can understand the Millwall fans booing as they did. Black people are not superior to me because I'm 'white' so they (the doo-gooders wanting a cause to whinge or shout about) shouldn't be allowed to constantly promote their 'black power' message please log in to view this image As I said above, if they'd done it at the start to make a point, and not stupidly shoving it in our faces constantly, we wouldn't have had anything like what happened on saturday please log in to view this image
I agree Gordon. Does it need to be done every match? The first time it was a message of solidarity, now it's wearing a bit thin. Why not have a "kick out racism" weekend once a year? I'm sure that the general public/fans would get behind that and it would probably raise more awareness if FIFA implemented it worldwide. As to the raised clenched fist, well that is a political/racist gesture and should be banned for that reason alone.
I don’t necessarily agree with the last two comments. Yes there will come a time when this isn’t done anymore or it evolves into something else, but equally I think a commitment to equality each game that you play is a good thing and strengthens sport as a method of doing some good. What I do think is that racism is rife. I even feel it on this board and on this thread. The sense that it’s do gooders and not that society is still hugely unequal. You don’t have to look far to see racism embedded in our practices. Through the nature of my work and the localities I work in, I work a lot with BAME people and it’s awkward hearing these experiences. Minorities have to fight for change and challenge things or they stay the same, so I think that it’s important for us to reflect on the message even if it’s tough to hear.
I hear what you're saying mate and the 1st sentence of your 2nd paragraph is bang on. Sadly it comes from all sides and the raised fist is as much an offensive symbol as anything. It's been used by various "oppressed" peoples for the past 100 years. The thing is that when black (i know, i should use a more politically correct term) people use it, to most of us it symbolises black power which in itself is rascist.
Also for me, black folk who have had a poor background, education and are on low wages have more in common with the white working class who have had a poor background, education and low wages... they should be supporting one another not arguing,
The problem is is that BLM have a 'militant' wing. I'm all for equal rights, but having on one hand peaceful protests shoved down our throat, whilst on the other hand a violent arm of BLM causing trouble which is being largely brushed under the carpet, I think I would be tempted to boo. These protests need to distance themselves from their original source in order for them to continue without problems. Instead of the highly political, militant looking, race provoking BLM bending of the knee/fist in the air, a more peaceful representation of equal rights would be alot less controversial and would gather a lot more support amongst other races and the country as a whole.
This is what drives me insane. Rich versus poor is a far bigger rift in my eyes than that of race. If you balanced the disgraceful imbalance in life in the western world, race would become a far smaller topic because everyone regardless of race would have greater opportunities. There would just be less money sitting in banks gathering interest that realistically couldn't be spent in a dozen lifetimes. I don't know how this isn't the topic on everyone's lips. It astounds me.
I think though for many blacks people the fist is a display of unity between black people. It doesn’t threaten me in the slightest.Let’s fight for our rights together if you like. I generally think dialogue will achieve it more than a fight - but there are some white privileged who won’t relinquish it without a fight and I’d say our political cabinets and other senior bodies are full of white privileged. People like us are not the white privileged that are the target of the black power movement. We’re also **** on by the elite.
I guess that rather unpleasant people, mainly rich racists manipulate/fund some stooges to say you poor white folk have problems and it is the immigrants/ blacks whose fault it is... do not blame us rich folk. You just have to recall what Bonko said about Liverpool It is often a few countries or individuals within countries that fund the Islamic terrorists.
Great statement from the Colchester Chairman here: https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2020/december/club-statement/
When you say minorities have to fight for change does that mean defacing war memorials, tearing down statues & burning the union jack on the streets of our capital? In my opinion that is where the disdain and contempt for BLM has came from. Lets not forget the white man is in the minority in many places in Britain, try walking certain streets in Bradford, Leicester, Birmingham & London, Luton in particular is more like a foreign land and is very hostile in areas towards the white man. I am all for integration but it appears many of the BAME communities prefer to "take over an area by mass populating " then live as they do in their home lands. They then become no go areas and the police are afraid to confront these communities for fear of being labelled racist. The racist tag is far to easy to use these days and appears to be a get out jail card for many people. Some of the comments from BAME ex footballers are 100% racist and a downright disgrace, to label people as racist because they dont take the knee or agree with taking the knee is not even challenged because people are afraid of being labelled. Leave sport alone and let it serve its purpose to entertain.
Wow. This post is the best example of the need for campaigning for equality I’ve seen in a while. I’ve worked in almost all of those places you mentioned and I can honestly say I think the concept of white people being under threat is bollocks and is also a line used by racists and whites supremacists.
