What's everyone think about what happened yesterday in terms of players like Ferdinand, Roberts et al not wearing the kick it out shirt? I have to say I've never witnessed anything racist at a football match before. I personally think they should have worn it. A united front was more important than trying to make a point. Perhaps they should be more involved in the campaign rather than stating its not working. Did any non black players not wear the shirt? Does anyone know?
*insert Suarez and Terry joke here* Be interesting to see if Anton Ferdinand wears the shirt today, can't imagine he will. I think Rio looks a bit silly considering Evra chose to wear the shirt, Rio just looks a bit childish.
*insert Suarez and Terry joke here* Be interesting to see if Anton Ferdinand wears the shirt today, can't imagine he will. I think Rio looks a bit silly considering Evra chose to wear the shirt, Rio just looks a bit childish. Also slightly disturbed to see Terry's keeping the Chelsea captaincy, do they have no shame? Especially strange when you consider how obvious a replacement they have in Frank Lampard.
This is a subject that evokes a lot of passion amongst the football world. My feelings on racism are simply : there is simply no excuse for any racist behavior in any environment, be that football or any other world. Whether Rio Ferdinand or Jason Roberts decided to wear or not wear a t-shirt is of no relevance to anyone but them. It is a decision that they have taken in order to represent their views. They are players who have been on the receiving end of racism within football and have every right to express their views as they wish. For someone with the influence of Sir Alex Ferguson to criticise one of his own players for no towing the line he wants them to is frankly ridiculous. To fine him the same amount of money that John scumbag Terry got fined is outrageous, in fact it is the only part of this that should be being reported on. Manchester United have embarrassed their reputation as Liverpool have with regard to Suarez. The fact of the matter is racism will never be eradicated until the authorities make a realistic stand and stop handing out Bullsh*t fines and punishments. It is ridiculous that players and clubs are allowed to get away with it as they do. If they start to hand out 10 / 12 match fines it may make players think twice. If clubs are fined a lot of money or docked points it will make the clubs responsible for there clubs behavior, be that players or fans. But this will not happen. David James made some interesting points recently that there are schools of thought who suggest that these campaigns have a vested interest in racism remaining in the game. Take the 'Kick it out ' campaign. People within that organisation make some good money from what they do. If the campaigns are successful and racism is abolished what happens to those people ? They will be out of a job. It is more evidence that the world of football is self fulfilling, greedy and selfish world that is obsessed with getting every penny out of anyone it can. I love it when the football kicks off on a saturday because we can all enjoy the game for what it is, a brilliant, entertaining part of our lifes. All the stuff in between is simply nonsensicle, so much is wrong with the way football is run and if players like Rio Ferdinand and Jason Roberts are not allowed to express their opinions then I feel sorry for them. As for Fergie, he has a lot of respect in my eyes. Shame.
Frogman, I am with you. I understand its a free country and they can do what they like. I personally think a showing of solidarity is more powerful particularly after what happened in Serbia.
Although Kick It Out has made people more aware of racism in football I would say it is largely ineffective. They only receive funding of 500K a year with isn’t anywhere near enough to address the issue of racism. I go to a fair bit of football (all our home games and around 50% of the away games and have to admit I’ve never really noticed any problem but that’s not to say it doesn’t occur. Footballs fans come from a cross section of society as do footballers and for that reason I don’t think it will ever be irradiated from football as it will never be irradiated (sadly) from life. I think what has changed is people are now prepared to stand up or object to people with a racist attitude in football where as in previous years they may have tolerated it. With a number of players refusing to wear the t-****s it has given the cause more publicity in the media which can only be a good thing. Had they all towed the line we wouldn’t be talking about it. I think its easy enough for players to say that Kick It Out isn’t doing a good enough job but in that case they should address that issue and help the charity rather than criticise how effective is been. A number of players have boycotted wearing the shirts before it’s only because of Rio’s standing in the game that the press has taken notice. Lescott hasn’t worn the shirt since 2007 however due to his lower profile in the game no one has noticed. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...Ferdinand-wear-T-shirt.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
The comment above, about how the refuseniks should get more involved rather than complaining is a little unfair. Rio Ferdinand for one has put a lot of time into anti-racism campaigns over the years. Equally, just because those running Kick it Out will be out of a job if racism is ever kicked out, that isn't the same as 'evidence' that they're not really trying! Generally speaking, the people who get employed by those kind of organisations are only in that position because they've already demonstrated a genuine commitment to the cause. Like, I'm sure, the rest of you, I'm opposed to racism, but if I was up for a job interview I wouldn't last five minutes - I wouldn't be able to demonstrate anything to show that I'd seriously worked to oppose racism. The good thing about this is that it's going to get people thinking and talking about how best to tackle the problem. I think you could even argue that the players who didn't wear the shirts are at least having the courage to stand out - it's easy to wear a t-shirt when everyone else is doing it and everyone is expected to do it. It's also worth pointing out that the refuseniks seem to be protesting about what the authorities have done in recent cases, not protesting that there's anything wrong with the Kick It Out campain per se. I think their beef is with the FA and with the way certain clubs have seemed to unquestioningly back their own player regardless of the rights and wrongs of any particular case. What is undeniable is that if you take the long view, English football has come a long, long way in the last 30 years or so. The Kick it Out campaign deserves some of the credit for that. One final thought. Players aren't allowed to display political t-shirts etc. That rule was introduced after Robbie Fowler got in trouble for scoring and revealing a shirt supporting the striking Liverpool dock-workers. I'm not saying for a moment that players shouldn't wear Kick it Out t-shirts, but surely that's a political issue too. There's an inconsistency there. Anyway, those are my jumbled thoughts on it. I'm still getting my head around the whole thing, to be honest.
Today: And agreed with Captain on the nonsensical conspiracy theory that the bigwigs in charge aren't trying because if they did they'd be out of a job. Does anyone in the world think there will be a time when every trace of racism on the planet is eradicated for good? It would be nice, but it's not going to happen, not unless the human race is around long enough to have interbred into one colour/race/whatever. I'm struggling to see what the point of not wearing the shirt, and hitherto supporting the cause is. If the problem is the fines and punishments then why is nobody protesting against the FA? Surely Kick It Out just raises awareness and the like? From an outsider's view it must look like a total mockery and the Kick It Out campaign is now pretty impotent. So what happens now? What have the dissenters actually achieved? I don't know what their aim is, because their actions are, beautifully ironically, banking on an act of racism so the punishment can be suitably severe. On the Ferdinand thing, he should be allowed to express his view, but as I've said, there must be a better way. There's nothing wrong with wearing a shirt saying "Kick racism out of football", is there? It's daft, they're all fighting the same cause and should've all united for that one day to send a message. These footballers have no problem advertising their endless sponsors, who are probably guilty of more heinous crimes than KIO. Like I said, it's been made a mockery of. Also, there's no concrete source that Ferdinand has been fined, is there?
You're surely joking? That would be outrageous. They've bought extra attention to the perceived issue. I mean - we're all talking about it, aren't we. Would we be if they had all worn t-shirts like good boys? Probably not. They've achieved heightened awareness through taking a stand. Good for them, good for football.
From what I understand the Kick It Out campaign is now not only about Racism. It started off as Kick Racism Out, but is now about overall Discrimination in football. Discrimination against Disability, Homo-phobia, Racism, and Religion. I think certain players feel that the Campaigners have now too broad a subject, and have lost sight of the Racist aspects. Problem I think the campaign was set up to educate kids using days like the Kick It Out day at football grounds to show them that some of their heroes were taking a stand against Discrimination. Think there are only 5 professional people who run it, on a small budget, they don't have any powers to do anything about it. The problem I have with the players not wearing the shirt is that it is damaging to the campaign who go round schools trying to educate small kids, who may see their peers and maybe parents discriminating against people, by showing them footballers are backing their campaign against discrimination.
I think most of these players have a beef with the FA and understandably so. The JT four match ban was an absolute joke and the fact that Chelsea have backed him and said he will retain the captaincy shows how seriously Chelsea take it. The FA and clubs needs to come down harder on issues on racism. The only reason people have taken note is because Rio didn’t wear one and its pi55ed Sir Alex off. Lescott hasn’t worn the Kick It Out Shirt since 2007 but no one cares because he isn’t as high profile and his manager (being a decent guy) hasn’t objected to that as Lescott is a adult and therefore entitled to make up his own mind on the issue. Kick It Our are a charity to promote awareness of racism in football and to reduce racism in football. They have no powers at all. Ferdinand and other who refuse to wear the shirt are effectily saying they don’t care about it. They only person to come out and explain why he wasn’t wearing the t-shirt was Roberts. If they have an issue with punishments then they need address the FA not Kick It Out. I suspect a lot of them are in it for the personal publicity.
Thanks Super Brian, that helps to explain a few comments I half-heard on the radio in the last couple of days. That being the case, I'd like to retract me saying no one is unhappy with the Kick it Out campaign per se!
This would be the same Rio Ferdinand who happily retweeted a racist insult at Ashley Cole? How is his attitude to an anti-racism campaign relevant after that? I've seen nothing to suggest he's any worse (or less racist) than John Terry. Disgraceful hypocrite. That aside, there has to be freedom to wear or not wear the t-shirt. I disagree strongly with the stance of people like Roberts, but it is his right to take that stance. I've never experienced any racism in the past ten years at CC (before that I was too young to recall or really notice anyway). Long may that, and the awareness drive amongst the kids, continue.
Some interesting points of view. From what I have read, the ' Kick it out ' campaign is supported and funded by the ' game's governing bodies '. This, I take to mean, the FA and county FA's. The big question that seems to be arising is what these players involved with not wearing t-shirts have hoped to achieve. Jason Roberts had this to say regarding his decision to not wear a t-shirt: I am totally committed to kicking racism out of football but when there is a movement I feel represents the issue in a way that speaks for me and my colleagues, the I will happily support it. It is unfortunate that the Kick it out organisation seems to have most influence but is governed partially by the organisation that dishes out ridiculous fines for racialy motivated offences. Players like Jason Roberts and Rio Ferdinand are sending a message to the hypocrites at the FA, who on one hand support the Kick it out campaign but in the other hand choose to not deal with it adequately when issues arise. As TMHAF said they only receive £500k funding each year, if the FA and other governing bodies were that committed to this awful problem in football then surely with all the money in football today, a lot more funding should be made available. John Terry alone could donate double that and not notice. This is just another example of the FA and the likes of FIFA doing enough to appease the issue on the surface but not really doing anything of any worth.
No, think about it; they're annoyed at the relatively lenient punishments, yes? So they want more severe action. If there are no more racist incidents, then there will be no more punishments. But that is was KIO was all about! The only awareness they've raised is of their personal discontent, which, especially in the era of Twitter, seems needless.
Lets not confuse "governed by" with "supported and funded by". Two different things. Which makes the anti-KIO stance all the more baffling. Why isn't Jason Roberts creating his own movement the way he wants it?
Bidders, there is not too much difference between whether an organisation of this kind is governed by or supported and partially funded. The implication is still the same, if the governing bodies really wanted to ackle this issue then they have the authority to a: provide far more funds and b: give out far greater punishments for those who are found guilty. As for Jason Roberts creating his own movement, come on. I am sure that all footballers do their bit outside of the football arena to promote all manner of different causes. Just because he does have a high profile organisation promoting equal equality does not mean he should not have the right to voice his opinions. What needs to happen is that an independant organisation, free from the footballing authorities, should exist who then provide recommendations to the governing bodies. It is then down to the authorities to deal with it as they see fit.
I agree that an independent movement would be more influential. But all players need to be behind the message for it to work. For coloured players not to join in sends the completely wrong message out. Everyone needs to unite which in turn would hopefully provide the power to change things. Also, as already mentioned, the FA need to grow some balls and get tough on the issue too. I don't know of any company that would stand by an employee who was found of racially abusing someone in the workplace.
Well if that's the case, I ask again, if KIO is just another arm of the FA (which it isn't), why are the players railing against the branch trying to make a difference and not the FA, who actually deal with the punishments? It just stinks of self-promotion or sheer stupidity. Who better than Jason Roberts to represent Jason Roberts' views on the issue in a suitable movement? The point I'm making is all these players are taking the opportunity to have a moan or have their say, but they don't appear to have an actual opinion or solution, which makes it totally counter-productive. I'm all for having footballers have their say (as if they're gagged anyway) but if it's just a flippant moan then what is the point? I suppose we'll find out when the next racial incident arises (apart from the one at Sunderland, which has been ironically under the radar).
