The Dark underbelly of Professional soccer
Soccer, most commonly known internationally as football, is the most popular sport worldwide. People from countries all over the world tune in to watch their teams compete. One might see fans walking around in the street or in a grocery store sporting their favorite soccer player jersey. It seems warming and may provide a soft sense of community. However, these fans that claim to idolize these soccer players may very well be the reason behind the restrictions and lack of freedoms faced by these athletes. Between the lack of optional movement, acts of violence and antisemitism, outward displays of homophobia, and more, these athletes are faced with challenges to their freedoms every day.
Lack of free movement
Unlike many other sports, many major league soccer teams don't necessarily have a draft. Worldwide, most teams trade players between various clubs. In North America, there is a greater emphasis placed on education, so these players often go to a university before entering their professional soccer careers [2]. Once the "drafting" process begins, players enter the SuperDraft, which is considered to be an entry draft. During this process, every franchise selects the rights to the available players. This alone begins the career of a player seen exclusively as a commodity. After the SuperDraft is the re-entry draft, where players that are already in the MLS may possible find a new league to play with. This process was introduced in 2000 as a way of providing more freedom/flexibility to players, however it is not a free-agency [2]. As a result of the lack of free-agency, it becomes more difficult for players to really choose where they are going, and it is very possible for some franchises to not take on any players from the re-entry draft [2].
Homophobia
Soccer players are often faced with the issue of expressing their sexual preferences if they are not heterosexual. These athletes are instructed to keep quiet and have been shunned by their fellow athletes for coming out as homosexual. Additionally, their own fans have expressed that they do not wish to hear about any preference other than heterosexuality, and believes that it does not belong in society in general. In 2009, a British public relations (PR) adviser had instructed to players not to reveal that they were homosexual to the public because soccer "remains in the dark ages, seeped in homophobia." [1]. It may be hard for one to believe that this particular situation faced by soccer players was as bad as it sounds, however there are some accounts by soccer fans that prove that it really was. For instance, a Sunderland fan stated "Football is no place for queers. They should come out and be pushed out of the game." [1]. These athletes are being told by their fans that their sexual preference means nothing and that they are nothing more than a tool for entertainment. These players' freedom to express their love for anybody not of the opposite sex are being infringed upon by their so-called "fans."
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Racism |
Justin Fashanu, Nottingham Forest.
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Racism within the sport of soccer has been present at least since the 1970's and have continued to persist today. It may seem unlikely, given that soccer is played in countries contained in Africa, South America, and Asia, but unfortunately, it exists. An excellent example of the hate faced by athletes that are not white within the game of soccer is the player Kenny Mower. He was a local of the England West Midlands, yet he was often met with boos and jeers when he stepped onto the field. The same noises awaited him when he touched the ball as well. These racial protests even turned to violence. "Fans hurled bananas at him, as visitors to a zoo might feed a chimpanzee." [1]. These types of actions occurred regardless of how well Mower played. One day, he decided to confront his antagonists, a group of people he had gone to school with. They claimed that he was their mate, however, that he should not be "playing for our club." [1]. These actions and words are blatant attempts to infringe on the rights and freedoms for people of color to engage in the sport of soccer. There have even been instanced in Eastern Europe in which fans in the stadium have held up a swastika flag while giving the Nazi salute and shouting "Sieg heil!" [3]. These people are simply just trying to play a game, and they are constantly met with backlash and attempts to deter them from continuing their passion through hurtful words and even violent actions.
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Ukrainian supporters of Karpaty Lviv hold a Nazi flag at a match in 2007.
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citations
Written Text:
[1] Cashmore, Ernest, and Jamie Cleland. Footballs Dark Side: Corruption, Homohobia, Violence and Racism in the Beautiful Game. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Pivot, 2014.
[2] Jenson, Weston. “RSL 101: What Is the MLS Draft System?” RSL Soapbox. RSL Soapbox, March 5, 2015. https://www.rslsoapbox.com/2015/3/5/8144897/rsl-101-what-is-the-mls-draft-system-understanding-the-intricacies-of.
[3] Longman, Jere. “Racism and Soccer Are in Play at a Big Event in East Europe.” The New York Times . The New York Times, May 30, 2012. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/31/sports/soccer/concerns-of-racism-precede-european-soccer-championships.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2.
Images:
Justin Fashanu photo: Justin Fashanu, Nottingham Forest. Peter Robinson. Public Domain.
Nazi flag photo: Ukrainian supporters of Karpaty Lviv hold a Nazi flag at a match in 2007. The ambassador said there were instances of 'intolerable behaviour'. Reuters. Public domain.
[1] Cashmore, Ernest, and Jamie Cleland. Footballs Dark Side: Corruption, Homohobia, Violence and Racism in the Beautiful Game. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Pivot, 2014.
[2] Jenson, Weston. “RSL 101: What Is the MLS Draft System?” RSL Soapbox. RSL Soapbox, March 5, 2015. https://www.rslsoapbox.com/2015/3/5/8144897/rsl-101-what-is-the-mls-draft-system-understanding-the-intricacies-of.
[3] Longman, Jere. “Racism and Soccer Are in Play at a Big Event in East Europe.” The New York Times . The New York Times, May 30, 2012. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/31/sports/soccer/concerns-of-racism-precede-european-soccer-championships.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2.
Images:
Justin Fashanu photo: Justin Fashanu, Nottingham Forest. Peter Robinson. Public Domain.
Nazi flag photo: Ukrainian supporters of Karpaty Lviv hold a Nazi flag at a match in 2007. The ambassador said there were instances of 'intolerable behaviour'. Reuters. Public domain.