or race, or religion or sexual orientation.
There was a strongly held view at one time (60s and 70s) that black players weren't up to top flight football. Say that today and people would laugh in your face.
Hmm.... I remember that Pele chap was considered to have potential - not at the "top level", obviously, but OK for the World Cup in 58, 62, and 70. Eusebio was quite promising too, in 66.
Luckily we had Reuben Agboola and "Chicken George" Lawrence, in the 80s,to show that black players COULD move up to the next level