what do you folk think of the UK reaction to the racism of the spanish fans? My stand is this: racism is wrong, wherever it exists. but I think that this is an over-reaction. A bit of the pot calling the kettle I think, I have seen racism from our terraces. This doesn't justify the racism in any way wahtsoever, but one way of redeeming your bad name is to leap on the wrong-doings of others and bring attention to it. Point out the problem, do something about it - tackle racism wherever it exists. But surely the way we and our tabloids have reacted this week is an over-reaction bordering on the usual typical tabloid moral panic outrage that sells papers?
I find the outcry by the tabloids bloody hypocritical considering they are the most right wing and reactionary in Europe. Having said that I do think what happened is proof of how far we have come in terms of getting racism out of the British game. Our local club Norwich for instance has banned most racists from the ground which is amazing considering we have one of the most racist communities in the country. I am a little confused by the chants from the Spanish crowd as whenever I've been to Spain I've found the people I've met to be some of the most leftwing in Europe. Maybe I just attract the minorities.
Had a good chat about this in the pub last night... someone was putting forward the idea that it is a deliberate ploy by the right wing press to create further divisions between us and europe... particularly at a time when the "special relationship" with Amerikkka is creating a cause for concern in increasing numbers of people... we've hated France for a while, now we can hate Spain... and conveniantly forget how Bush is fucking us over... Fly...
I think racism is a problem. i coem from Blackpool, which is the home of racist punk music. And Blackpool is 99% white, and very "traditional" in its attitudes. i know plenty of racists. As for football, i thought we had progressed to a level where this kind of behaviour wasn't done anymore. Guess I was wrong.
There's been a lot of improvement of non-racism in football in a few areas, but mostly in Britain. On the European mainland however it's very, very widespread even in the more westernised and supposedly more libral European nations (France, Spain and Germany).
yeah, liberal in terms of good social policy, but we are far ahead of most places in the world in terms of sex equality, racist attitudes, homophobia etc..... but still a long way to go!
