Racism in Football: Questioning the Status Quo and the Need for Change

Racism continues to plague the beautiful game, not only in the men’s leagues but also in women’s football. While racism in football has garnered significant attention over the past few years, the sport is still grappling with how to effectively address it. The question we must ask is: Are the penalties being handed down for racial abuse strong enough? Are these incidents being taken as seriously as they should? And what about the mental health of the players who experience this kind of abuse? It’s time to question the status quo and demand real change.

Are Penalties Strong Enough?

Let’s start with the penalties—what happens when a player or a fan is caught engaging in racist behaviour? In theory, penalties exist to deter people from making racist remarks or actions. However, the question remains: Do these consequences do enough to address the gravity of the issue? Are they harsh enough to send a clear message that racism will not be tolerated?

Take, for example, the case of Khadija "Bunny" Shaw, the Manchester City player who was recently subjected to racist abuse on social media. Her case is by no means an isolated incident. Shaw, like many others, faced the emotional toll of online hatred, which forced her to step away from an important match. While Manchester City condemned the abuse and the police were involved, the fact remains that the abuse itself took place in the first place. And what’s the penalty? A few users may be banned from social media platforms, but the abuse is often cyclical, with little long-term impact on the perpetrators.

Football clubs and governing bodies have imposed fines and stadium bans on individuals who engage in racist behaviour. However, these measures have often been criticized for being too lenient. For instance, the European Football Association (UEFA) and FIFA have implemented match suspensions for clubs with fans engaging in racial abuse, but these sanctions don't seem to hold much weight for the offending supporters. A club might get fined a few thousand euros, and a fan might be banned from attending matches for a year or two. But is this really sending a message? Are these penalties truly preventing future incidents, or is it just a slap on the wrist?

The lack of severity in the penalties speaks volumes about how serious the football world is about eradicating racism. If racial abuse were truly taken seriously, the consequences would be much more significant. Clubs would face more than just a fine—they would face a loss of sponsorships, a reduction in ticket sales, and a tarnished reputation that could lead to long-term financial losses. For the perpetrators themselves, there should be lifetime bans from attending matches and stricter legal consequences. At the very least, these individuals should face charges for hate speech.

Are These Incidents Taken Seriously Enough?

When it comes to the seriousness of these incidents, one of the most troubling aspects is how often they’re brushed under the rug. In too many cases, incidents of racial abuse are dealt with quietly, with little fanfare or urgency. Players like Mapi León of FC Barcelona have faced racist allegations that were publicly discussed and, yet, did not receive the level of accountability we should expect. While some incidents result in players or clubs issuing public apologies, that doesn’t always equate to real, meaningful change.

The case of River Plate’s women’s team in Brazil—where players were arrested for alleged racist remarks—illustrates how the issue is often downplayed, especially in countries where racism might not be seen as an urgent societal problem. Although there was public outcry and legal action, the case shows that even when racism is confronted in the legal sphere, the general response is often too slow and insufficient.

Why is it that we only see true action when the media shines a spotlight on the issue? Why does it take a viral social media post for governing bodies to step in? The fact that so many instances of racism go unnoticed or are handled with indifference points to a much deeper issue within the football system itself—a reluctance to address the problem head-on and a failure to make it a priority.

The Mental Health Strain: What Support Is There for Players?

One of the most under-discussed aspects of racism in football is its toll on the mental health of players. Let’s pause for a moment and consider what players like Khadija Shaw and Mapi León, who have faced public racist abuse, must go through emotionally. Racism isn’t just a momentary insult—it can have lasting psychological effects. The constant barrage of abuse chips away at a person’s self-esteem and can lead to anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. Yet, when it comes to support for players, the response from football clubs and governing bodies is often inadequate.

While some clubs have made strides in providing mental health support for their players, it remains a patchwork effort. Not all clubs have the same resources, and not all players feel comfortable seeking help. Football has long been a male-dominated industry, and mental health, particularly in the women’s game, is still seen as a stigma to some extent. There is a growing awareness of the importance of mental well-being, but much more needs to be done.

When players like Shaw or León experience racist abuse, where is the immediate support they need to recover emotionally and mentally? Is there a counsellor or a trusted figure they can turn to within the club, or are they left to cope on their own? Far too often, the answer is the latter. Clubs and governing bodies need to have proper mental health services in place to support players who have been affected by racial abuse. This should include therapy sessions, counselling, and a solid support network to help players cope with the emotional consequences of such incidents.

Moreover, the lack of post-abuse care is concerning. Once the incident is over and the media attention fades, many players are left to pick up the pieces on their own. There should be an ongoing system of support that lasts long after the incident is reported and the abusers are punished. This support should also extend to players in lower leagues, where mental health resources might be even more scarce.

What Needs to Change?

The status quo is not working. Racism in football, both on the pitch and online, continues to thrive because the consequences for those who perpetuate it are too weak. It’s time for governing bodies, clubs, and social media platforms to take a stronger stand. Penalties need to be severe enough to send a clear message—racism will not be tolerated. Whether it's through stricter fines, longer bans, or legal action, the penalties for racial abuse must fit the crime.

Recommendations for Action:

1.    Stronger Legal Penalties: It's crucial that legal action against individuals engaging in racial abuse becomes the norm, not the exception. Social media platforms should actively monitor and report instances of racism, and perpetrators should face not only bans but also legal consequences. For the clubs themselves, the consequences should be financial—loss of sponsorship, match point penalties, or even relegation for repeat offenses.

2.    Increased Public Awareness and Media Coverage: Media outlets need to dedicate more attention to racial abuse cases—not just when they go viral, but as part of an ongoing effort to address the problem. Regular coverage and discussions of racial abuse in football should help maintain awareness and public pressure on governing bodies to act more swiftly and decisively.

3.    Improved Mental Health Support: Clubs should be mandated to provide robust mental health resources for their players. In addition to immediate counselling following a racist incident, there should be long-term mental health support for all players, especially those who experience ongoing abuse. This should include regular mental health check-ins, therapy, and a dedicated support team that players can turn to during and after their careers.

4.    Education and Training: There should be mandatory anti-racism education and workshops for all players, coaching staff, and fans. For players, this education should include how to cope with the emotional effects of racism, as well as how to respond to it on and off the pitch. For fans, campaigns should be aimed at raising awareness about how harmful racism is and encouraging more respect and inclusivity in stadiums and online.

5.    Unified Global Response: Racism in football is not just a UK problem—it is a global issue. We need a unified global response from FIFA, UEFA, and national football bodies to implement consistent, serious penalties for racial abuse. This should involve international collaboration to ensure that racist behaviour is met with the same level of seriousness worldwide.

6.    Support for Lower Leagues and Women’s Football: It's not just the top-tier men’s game that needs to be addressed; the problem of racism exists in lower leagues and women’s football as well. Clubs in lower divisions should receive financial support to help implement anti-racism measures and mental health programs. Women's football needs to be given equal attention, as players like Khadija Shaw and Mapi León face unique challenges in the fight against racism.

A Call for Change

Racism is a disease that continues to fester within the world of football, despite the progress that has been made in raising awareness. The solutions are clear: harsher penalties, better mental health support, ongoing education, and a unified, global effort to stamp out racism. It’s time for football to stop treating racism as a side issue and start addressing it with the seriousness it deserves.

Football is supposed to be the beautiful game, a sport that unites people from all walks of life. If we want to protect the integrity of the game and create a truly inclusive environment, it’s time to step up and ensure that racism has no place in football—now or in the future.