baystatebear
Well-Known Member
I came upon a recent article in the Daily Mail's sports section, stating that 'Racism spotters' were to be planted in the crowds at the upcoming England fixtures with the Czech Republic and Bulgaria
It seems that representatives from 'The Fare' network (previously known as Football Against Racism in Europe), will be placed in the stands in order to quickly detect any acts of racism. These 'Spotters' will be provided with a hotline to a main observer who will be in direct contact with the formal UEFA delegate, who presumably, will recommend appropriate sanctions on the 'guilty' party(s).
Whilst I oppose the racist barracking of black players, I find there is something creepy about inserting anonymous individuals whose task it is to reporting to other anonymous individuals about behaviour they deem to be offensive. Why are so-called 'spotters' needed? If, for e.g., a black player who hasn't been involved in any on-field controversy during the course of a game, is suddenly, without provocation, subjected to widespread, orchestrated abuse, then it can logically be inferred that the abuse directed at him is 'racist' in intent, we surely don't need teams of 'spotters' to tell that this is the case.
How long can it be before demands are made to insert 'Spotters' in Ibrox, each of whom will be armed and ready to dial in to the SFA's appointed delegate, reporting on widespread incidents of 'vicious anti- Irish Catholic' racism, all manner of bigotry, real or imagined, directed by Rangers supporters at opposing players and fans - with of course, sanctions to follow.
The idiotic idea described in the DM article, is I fear, the thin end of a large wedge that will eventually change the entire experience of going to a football match - and not for the better.
It seems that representatives from 'The Fare' network (previously known as Football Against Racism in Europe), will be placed in the stands in order to quickly detect any acts of racism. These 'Spotters' will be provided with a hotline to a main observer who will be in direct contact with the formal UEFA delegate, who presumably, will recommend appropriate sanctions on the 'guilty' party(s).
Whilst I oppose the racist barracking of black players, I find there is something creepy about inserting anonymous individuals whose task it is to reporting to other anonymous individuals about behaviour they deem to be offensive. Why are so-called 'spotters' needed? If, for e.g., a black player who hasn't been involved in any on-field controversy during the course of a game, is suddenly, without provocation, subjected to widespread, orchestrated abuse, then it can logically be inferred that the abuse directed at him is 'racist' in intent, we surely don't need teams of 'spotters' to tell that this is the case.
How long can it be before demands are made to insert 'Spotters' in Ibrox, each of whom will be armed and ready to dial in to the SFA's appointed delegate, reporting on widespread incidents of 'vicious anti- Irish Catholic' racism, all manner of bigotry, real or imagined, directed by Rangers supporters at opposing players and fans - with of course, sanctions to follow.
The idiotic idea described in the DM article, is I fear, the thin end of a large wedge that will eventually change the entire experience of going to a football match - and not for the better.