Racism in Football: Why the Beautiful Game Must Confront Its Ugliest Problem | OneFootball

Football prides itself on being ‘the beautiful game’, a sport that unites billions across continents, cultures, and languages. Yet, beneath the glamour of the Premier League, the roar of the crowd, and the joy and relief of a last-minute winner, there remains an ugly, stubborn stain that tarnishes the game that we all love: racism. That stain reappeared on full display tonight during Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth at Anfield. In the first half, Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo was subjected to racist abuse from a supporter in the stands.

The match was briefly halted, officials acted swiftly, and the perpetrator was ejected before being placed under police investigation. Semenyo, displaying remarkable composure, went on to score both of Bournemouth’s goals, turning what could have been a day marred entirely by hate into one marked also by resilience and professionalism. But make no mistake, this should never have happened at all.

A Recurring Problem in the Modern Game

Incidents like last night’s are not isolated. Racism in football has a long, ugly history. The taunts faced by pioneers like Laurie Cunningham and Cyrille Regis in the 1970s to the torrent of online abuse aimed at Black players after England’s Euro 2020 final defeat. Despite progress, campaigns like Kick It Out and the Premier League’s No Room for Racism, the problem persists in stadiums and on social media. In many cases, action feels reactive: a comment heard, an offender removed, a press statement issued. But prevention still lags behind.

The Premier League and FA operate zero-tolerance policies, and tools like steward training, CCTV, and reporting apps have made it easier to catch offenders. Online abuse is being tracked and investigated more than ever before. Yet this keeps happening and gaps remain. Bans are inconsistent; not every offender receives a stadium ban or legal sanction, essentially getting away with their vile behaviour.

There’s no centralised public record of racist incidents across the leagues; there should be. It seems as though once the police and clubs have done their bit, that’s it, forgotten about. Black, Asian, and minority ethnic voices are still lacking in coaching and leadership positions, from the very top of the game all the way down to grassroots level, not that this should matter. A person shouldn’t be judged on first impression by the colour of their skin or where they’re from.

The Steps Football Must Take

If football truly wants to rid itself of racism, words and campaigns must be backed by consistent action. That means automatic lifetime bans for offenders, alongside prosecution where possible. Public accountability and publishing annual reports on racism cases and outcomes would soon make people think before acting on what they say. Expand education and embed anti-racism learning in grassroots football and school partnerships. Diversity in leadership would help create stronger rules to ensure more minority representation in coaching, officiating, and administration. This may be easier said than done, but it is something that can be worked towards.

Why This Matters Beyond the Pitch

Racism in football isn’t just a football problem; it’s a massive problem in society that is brought into football stadiums, playing out under the floodlights for all to see. The stadium can either be a mirror of society’s prejudices or a model for how to dismantle them. Antoine Semenyo’s response last night, answering hate with excellence, was inspiring. Not only did he handle the initial situation with dignity, but he also picked himself up and single-handedly dragged his side back into the game, which does feel a little irrelevant given the seriousness of the earlier incident.

Inspiration should not have to be forged in the fire of abuse. Every player deserves to step onto the pitch with the only challenge being their opponent’s skill, not their prejudice. The sport owes it to its players, its fans, and its future to ensure that the next generation inherits a game where racism is not merely condemned after it happens but prevented before it can occur. Because until football is truly inclusive, it can never truly be beautiful.