Now that the United States has been eliminated from World Cup play, we can all go back to ignoring soccer for another four years.
Before you put your jersey, away ask yourself this question: Why wasn’t the racially charged environment at the World Cup discussed more, let alone reported?
There have been several well-documented episodes of racially motivated acts. They have been displayed by the European Neo-Nazi movements that brought their sick act to Brazil.
The Guardian,among other outlets, published numerous documented reports about a variety of actions that have taken place at the World Cup. Yet, not a peep out of any of the other outlets in this country that claim to cover sports. I guess racism falls out of that category.
Here are a few incidents that expands racism beyond just being black.
• No action for racist chants by fans at a Croatian match. The Telegraph added that Croatian fans had a banner with the coat of arms of a “fascist regime under Nazi control during World War II” at their game versus Brazil.
• No action for racist chants at a Russian match. The Telegraph added that Russian fans at the match versus South Korea had banners with a variation of the Celtic Cross associated with Neo-Nazism and white supremacy.
• No action against Mexican fans chanting “puto” during their game against Cameroon.
• No action against fans in “black face” when Germany played Ghana.
These are just a few incidents. There are more that are never reported because it has become accepted by most who reside in that part of the world.
What even stands out more is that FIFA (the world-governing soccer body) formed an anti-racism task force to combat this issue in Europe. It has fallen on deaf ears there and certainly in Brazil, as racism is alive and well in the world. While fans, at times, are mean-spirited and vicious when it comes to the games and their dislike for the other team, this takes it to a level that is unacceptable.
While we see it in the United States in a different manner, the actions that we see by fans in soccer would not be tolerated by the NFL, NBA and MLB. The NHL still has issues they are working through, as Boston Bruin fans have shown the way in how to be a faceless racist. The players and leagues will not stand for it on the level we see abroad.
So the next time you go all in on the World Cup and talk about how cool and great it is, ask yourself why you are into a sport whose governing body looks the other way when it comes to rampant racism. They have four years to fix it and, somehow, I am already betting against them.
Silly season
Welcome to the “silly season” of basketball. It’s that time of the year when free agency comes into play and everyone is wondering just where is LeBron James going? Options are a plenty as every city thinks they have a shot.
What is amusing here is the speculation that is taking place by a number of people who we have never heard of on ESPN and other outlets. One thing is for sure here – the teams that are not in it for his services are the teams you continue to hear a lot about.
We have not heard a word from Miami, the Lakers, or Clippers. Cleveland cannot get out of its own way, and the rest of the league is just glad to hear their name in the conversation.
After James makes a selection on where he will play, the next questions will be: Who else will be playing with him? How long will the contract be?
James already has money, so why tie yourself up with a long-term contract that could go south with an injury or poor play? Short-term will be better here.
Once James decides, the scramble will begin for what is left on the free agent market. For those of you trying to keep up, my advice to you is that this will be all over no later than Monday. Until then, keep wishing.
