Racism in association football#United Kingdom

Racism in association football (soccer) is the abuse of players, officials, and fans because of their skin colour, nationality, or ethnicity. Some may also be targeted because of their association with an opposing team. However, there have been instances of individuals being targeted by their own fans.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yZfYh7n2qTMC&q=Sport+and+National+Identity+in+the+Post-War+World |title=Sport and national identity in the Post-War World |via=Google Books |access-date=19 March 2010|isbn=9780415283014 |last1=Smith |first1=Adrian |last2=Porter |first2=Dilwyn |year=2004 |publisher=Psychology Press }}{{cite web |url=http://www.le.ac.uk/so/css/resources/factsheets/fs6.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051201005726/http://www.le.ac.uk/so/css/resources/factsheets/fs6.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 December 2005 |title=Fact Sheet 6: Racism and Football |access-date=17 February 2008 |publisher=University of Leicester}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8318117.stm |title=Police probe into abuse of Edu |work=BBC News |date=22 October 2009 |access-date=19 March 2010}}

The topic of racism in association football has been widely covered by the media as well as academic studies.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/19083629.bradford-academic-footballs-big-racism-problem/|title="Physical bananas now virtual": Bradford academic on shift in football racism|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=12 February 2021 }}

In response to racist incidents at association football matches, in May 2013, FIFA, the international governing body of association football, announced new measures to deal with racism in the sport.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22728162|title=Fifa racism measures could see teams expelled or relegated|date=31 May 2013|work=BBC Sport}}

In October 2018, German player Antonio Rüdiger, who has been a victim of racist abuse stated that authorities needed to do more to deal with racism in the sport.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45970660|title=Antonio Rudiger: Football chiefs 'need to do more' on racism|work=BBC Sport|date=29 October 2018}}

In April 2019, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said referees should stop games if a racist incident occurs,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47791839|title=Racism in football: Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin calls for referees to stop games|work=BBC Sport|date=2 April 2019}} whilst FIFA President Gianni Infantino called for "harsh sanctions" to deal with racism in the sport.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47919253|title=Racism in football: Fifa's Gianni Infantino calls for harsh sanctions|work=BBC Sport|date=13 April 2019}}

In April 2019, Raheem Sterling, called for racist abuse to be punished with an automatic nine-point deduction for clubs, instead of handing out fines to the individuals directly performing the abuse.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/48020270|title=Raheem Sterling: Manchester City and England star calls for nine-point deduction for racist chanting - CBBC Newsround|newspaper=BBC Newsround |date=23 April 2019 }}

In April 2019, the Professional Footballer's Association launched a social media campaign to make a stand against racial abuse calling upon social media organizations and the game's authorities to take action against racism.{{Citation|last1=Singh|first1=Amandeep|title=An Analysis of Demographic and Behavior Trends Using Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram|date=2019|work=Social Network Analytics| pages=87–108| publisher=Elsevier| isbn=9780128154588| last2=Halgamuge| first2=Malka N.|last3=Moses|first3=Beulah|doi=10.1016/b978-0-12-815458-8.00005-0|s2cid=149636843|doi-access=free|pmc=7149696}}

In November 2019 Leon Balogun said there needed to be a collective response from players to racism.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50658573|title=Nigeria's Leon Balogun says fight against racism is a collective responsibility|work=BBC Sport|date=5 December 2019}}

Fatma Samoura, a black Muslim woman who occupied the position of Secretary General of FIFA from June 2016 to 31 December 2023, has said that her "last battle, and one that [she] will continue to fight even after [her] retirement from FIFA, is to make sure that we will root racism out of football".{{cite web | last=Holmes | first=Tracey | title=FIFA secretary-general Fatma Samoura focused on culture, equality and breaking the FIFA mould | website=ABC News (Australia) | date=11 July 2023 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-12/fifa-boss-fatma-samoura-focused-on-culture-equality/102583090 | access-date=12 July 2023}}

{{See also|Racism in Africa}}

Prior to Senegal's group-stage match against Japan in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, business magnate Alan Sugar tweeted a photo of the Senegal team with the caption: "I recognise some of these guys from the beach in Marbella. Multitasking, resourceful chaps".{{Cite news|url=https://gulfnews.com/sport/football/worldcup-2018/racist-tweet-likely-to-fire-up-senegal-against-japan-1.2241044|title=Racist tweet likely to fire up Senegal against Japan|last=AFP|date=23 June 2018|work=GulfNews|access-date=15 October 2018}} The tweet was criticised for being racist, with Osasu Obayiuwana, the associate editor of the New African magazine claiming that Sugar was playing "to a racist stereotype" and that "no Senegalese or African will see this as funny".{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jun/20/lord-sugar-under-fire-over-racist-senegal-world-cup-team-tweet|title=Alan Sugar under fire over 'racist' Senegal World Cup team tweet|last=Belam|first=Martin|date=20 June 2018|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=15 October 2018}} Sugar quickly apologised for the remark, tweeting "I misjudged me {{sic}} earlier tweet. It was in no way intended to cause offence, and clearly my attempt at humour has backfired. I have deleted the tweet and am very sorry".

In March 2022, the Egyptian national team said they had been racially abused by Senegal fans.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60925012|title=Egypt complain of racial abuse by Senegal fans|work=BBC Sport }}

During the 20th century until 1991, South Africa had segregation policies and segregated football leagues in which the South Africans designated "black" race were not allowed to play in the Football Association of South Africa.Alegi, Peter and Chris Bolsmann. "From Apartheid to Unity: White Capital and Black Power in the Racial Integration of South African Football, 1976–1992." African Historical Review, vol. 42, no. 1, January 2010, p. 1. EBSCOhost, During the mid-1950s attempts by mainly South African blacks to integrate the sport were stifled by FASA. In 1961 the FASA was suspended by the International Federation of Association Football for not complying with desegregation policies. During 1963 the ban was briefly lifted until it was reinstated in 1964 and remained in place for 28 years. In 1973 the South African games were held, and attempts by the South African government to keep the games segregated and the teams racially determined and confined led to the International Federation of Association Football to pull its support from the event. They were drawn in due to the promise of it being a multiracial event, but upon discovering that the teams were racially determined and the sports events themselves had segregated attendance, FIFA backed out. The South African Football Association (SAFA) was formed in December 1991 right before the end of Apartheid on South Africa, and has no racial requirements for play and entry.

Following the defeat of Tunisia's national football team to Equatorial Guinea in the 2015 African Cup of Nations, at least twelve attacks were reported to have occurred in the capital and the southern city of Sfax. Some of these attacks were even against darker skinned Tunisians due to their resemblance to the sub-Saharan country. This was extended to social media through posts which focused on enslaving blacks and letting them be killed by Boko Haram, a radical group.The Associated, Press. 'Wave of Hate' against Africans After Tunisian Soccer Defeat. AP English Worldstream - English, Associated Press DBA Press Association, 2 March 2015.

Hanif Adams, the owner of Lusaka Dynamos, was subject to racist remarks due to his Indian heritage while running for president of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ). Some individuals have been cited saying that a foreigner should not run FAZ. An individual when asked for reasoning stated that, "For the sake of national pride and patriotism, Faz should be run by indigenous black Zambians and not Indians or Pakistanis." Lusaka Dynamos neglected to back down from the race and told BBC Sport, "I am very disappointed for people bringing race issues into matters of football or any matter concerning the development of any country."{{cite news |first=Kennedy |last=Gondwe |title=Faz presidency marred by racial abuse. |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7262763.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=25 February 2008 |access-date=5 August 2008}}

Football racism and violence have decreased considerably during the 1990s through appropriate legislation such as the Football Offences Act (1991) which made racist chanting unlawful. However, racist chanting has not completely disappeared and much current abuse is linked to Asians, resulting in many still feeling intimidated. Institutionalized racism plays a large part in reducing prospects for footballing recruits from Asian communities.McGuire, Brendon, et al. "Young Asian Males: Social Exclusion and Social Injustice in British Professional Football." Culture, Sport, Society, vol. 4, no. 3, November 2001, p. 65. EBSCOhost. In a study conducted by Bains and Patel, it was recorded that over 90 percent of the Asian Heritage respondents saw both institutional racism and the existence of racist supporters as being barriers to entry into the professional game.Johal, Sanjiev. "Playing Their Own Game: a South Asian Football Experience." Race', Sport and British Society (2001): 153-69. Many cases of segregation have been recorded resulting in many Asians playing in 'Asian only leagues', thus distancing themselves further from mainstream society and popular culture.Saeed, Amir and Daniel Kilvington. "British-Asians and Racism within Contemporary English Football." Soccer & Society, vol. 12, no. 5, September 2011, pp. 602-612. EBSCOhost. Subjection to overt racist abuse from coaches, players and spectators is a primary common denominator for many Asian footballers leading to feelings of isolation and exclusion from after-training socializing and ritual young male bonding.

Researchers who wrote the Asians Can't Play Football report somewhat presciently uncovered a culpable order of ignorance and thinly disguised racism that had proscribed any sustained South Asian progression in the game. Numerous problematic stereotypes still have a firm hold over the Asian identity. The standard stereotype of South Asian people is one of the submissive, naturally placid and physically frail individual. It has been stated that the Asian build is not that of a footballer and that the stereotype of "weak Asian" is influenced by notions of 'race' and issues of national identity. Common stereotypes list the Asian pupil as typically seen as physically frail, lacking in stamina and likely to underachieve. A 'Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) survey highlighted that there were only 10 Asian players at Premier League academies' 48 and in 2006, there were 'only four Asian players in the professional game'. These stereotypes exist because there is an under-achievement and if they subsist, 'scouts, coaches, and managers' will not visit places of high Asian population. What unites most South Asian teams is the common experience of racism and a particular racism that is parasitically exacted through football.

{{See also|Racism in China|Football in China}}

On 4 August 2018, Demba Ba was the victim of alleged racial abuse by Changchun Yatai player Zhang Li.{{Cite web|last=O’Brien|first=Sean|date=5 August 2018|title=Demba Ba victim of alleged racial abuse|url=https://talksport.com/football/407652/demba-ba-racial-abuse-chinese-super-league/|access-date=5 February 2021|website=Talksport}}

In June 2020, Odion Ighalo revealed that in one game in China he got called all sorts of names and reported it to the FA, but he did not press forward with it because he “don’t like to drag issues out”.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=6 June 2020|title=Ighalo reveals he was racially abused in China|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/12001250/odion-ighalo-on-racism-manchester-united-striker-ready-to-walk-off-if-he-gets-abused-again|access-date=5 February 2021|website=Sky Sports}}

{{See also|Football in Hong Kong}}

There were reports of targeted racial attacks against the Philippine national team while they competed at Mongkok Stadium in a friendly against Hong Kong. The event was held on 4 June 2013. Hong Kong fans reportedly called their counterparts "slaves", threw bottles at them and booed at the Philippine national anthem. Hong Kong lost the friendly match to the Philippines, 1–0. At the end of the game, Hong Kong fans reportedly threw debris at the Philippine team and gallery, occupied mostly by wives and children of the players.{{cite web|url=http://sports.inquirer.net/103391/racist-issue-mars-azkals-win-vs-hk|title=Racist issue mars Azkals win vs HK|date=5 June 2013 |access-date=24 September 2014}}

Benny Chan, spokesman of the Hong Kong Football Association, announced that the football body will release an official report to FIFA and the public after its investigation is completed. Philippine football officials are likewise waiting for the report before filing a complaint to FIFA.{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.ph/sports/football/news/hkfa-probes-claims-of-racist-abuse-in-home-friendly-against-azkals|title=HKFA probes claims of 'racist abuse' in home friendly against Azkals - SPIN.PH|date=24 September 2014|work=Sports Interactive Network Philippines|access-date=24 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109030850/http://www.spin.ph/sports/football/news/hkfa-probes-claims-of-racist-abuse-in-home-friendly-against-azkals|archive-date=9 November 2014|url-status=dead}}

{{See also|Racism in India|Football in India}}In May 2020, Indian captain Sunil Chhetri faced racist comments during his Instagram Live session with Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli.{{Cite web|date=19 May 2020|title=Chhetri faces racist comments during an Instagram Live session|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/indian-football-captain-sunil-chhetri-faces-racist-remark-during-instagram-chat-with-virat-kohli/story-9qvcuam59Hl3YphbB0KyEJ.html|access-date=20 February 2021|website=Hindustan Times}}

{{See also|Football in Japan}}

In March 2014, J1 League club Urawa Red Diamonds had to play to an empty stadium; their fans had been banned following racist banners displayed in previous matches.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26704368|title=Urawa Reds play to empty stadium after fans banned for racist banner|date=23 March 2014|access-date=27 March 2014|work=BBC Sport}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wsc.co.uk/wsc-daily/1175-march-2014/11347-quick-response-to-racist-displays-in-japan|title=Quick response to racist displays in Japan|date=23 March 2014|access-date=27 March 2014|publisher=When Saturday Comes|archive-date=25 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325124309/http://www.wsc.co.uk/wsc-daily/1175-march-2014/11347-quick-response-to-racist-displays-in-japan|url-status=dead}}

{{See also|Football in Malaysia}}

In February 2019, Antonio German left Malaysian club Selangor one month into a one-year contract; he later said he left the club due to racism.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49335642|title=Antonio German: Former QPR striker says racism forced him out of Malaysian club|work=BBC Sport|date=17 September 2019}}

{{See also|Football in the Philippines}}

The Philippine Football Federation filed a complaint with GMA Network over a comment made by news anchor Arnold Clavio over controversial remarks directed at the Philippines national football team. A popular radio and television newscaster and program host of morning news show Unang Hirit, Clavio was quoted as saying that foreign-born players are not Filipinos (emphasizing the fact that they were not born in the Philippines). Clavio later retracted this statement, insisting that he had not intended to offend anyone.{{cite web|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/03/15/12/pff-files-complaint-vs-clavio-azkals-comment|title=PFF files complaint vs Clavio for Azkals comment|work=ABS-CBNnews.com}}

Another racial incident occurred during a friendly match between the Philippines and Indonesia on 5 June 2012. A number of Indonesian fans were observed to be chanting "Hindi kayo Pilipino!" ("You are not Filipinos!") at Filipino players of non-Philippine ancestry.{{cite web|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/06/05/12/indonesian-fans-hurl-racist-abuse-azkals|title=Indonesian fans hurl racist abuse at Azkals|work=ABS-CBNnews.com}}

{{See also|Football in South Korea}}

Federico Valverde was accused of making a racist gesture by pulling his eyes back into a slit when celebrating a goal, at the Under-20 World Cup in South Korea.{{cite web|title=Real Madrid midfielder denies celebration was racist after Korean outcry over controversial gesture|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/world-cup-u20-uruguay-federico-valverde-celebration-racist-korean-outcry-a7774101.html|website=Independent|date=5 June 2017|access-date=24 April 2018}}

In the 2018 FIFA World Cup, South Korea was a target of racism by Mexican television hosts following South Korea's win over Germany. After Germany's defeat, the two Mexican hosts, on-air, were seen pulling their eyes back into a slit. The hosts, following the incident, were fired by Telemundo, the television network they were employed by. After the same match, Mexican soccer supporters rushed to the South Korean embassy to celebrate. The supporters were also seen pulling their eyes back.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44652806|title=TV hosts suspended over racist gesture|date=29 June 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=15 October 2018|language=en-GB}}

{{See also|Racism in Europe}}

{{POV|date=July 2021}}

In European association football, there is racism operating at the institutional and fan cultural levels. In England, the upper levels of authority are majority white and give jobs as coaches or other positions to other already-known white men rather than making public job postings. Stereotypes about coaches of colour, that they are more physical than intellectual, limit the accessibility of people of colour into the football industry. There are also legislative restrictions that limit the number of 'non-citizens' within a team in ⅓ of the countries in the EU, specifically targeting certain minorities. Therefore, there is 'invisible centrality of whiteness' that permeates the upper levels of the football system.{{Cite journal|last=Bradbury|first=Steven|date=April 2017|title=Institutional Racism, Whiteness and the Under-representation of Minorities in Leadership Positions in Football in Europe|url=https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/24548|journal=Soccer and Society 14.3|volume=14|issue=3|pages=296–313|doi=10.1080/14660970.2013.801262|s2cid=144166062}}

The stereotypes also apply to the players and prevent them from being treated well during matches, as seen in the racist chants heard during matches. South Asian players are considered "static" and "homogenous" while black players are considered to be "'difficult', 'bad tempered' and 'lacking in social etiquette" by clubs in Netherlands.{{Cite journal|last1=Muller|first1=Floris|last2=Van Zoonen|first2=L.|last3=De Roode|first3=L.|date=April 2017|title=Accidental Racists: Experiences and Contradictions of Racism in Local Amsterdam Soccer Fan Culture|journal=Soccer and Society|volume=8|issue=2–3|pages=335–350|doi=10.1080/14660970701224608|s2cid=142712446}} Minority groups are expected to leave behind their cultural identities when joining a team and are encouraged to conform to the dominant norms perpetuated by white culture. And once the players are able to break into the system, it is difficult for them to work their way up into management or coaching. Within local areas such as Amsterdam, a sort of neighborhood nationalism develops that also contributes to this discrimination towards players of different origins.

There have been a few groups who have attempted to assuage the problem of racial discrimination in European football such as the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) who held a seminar in Amsterdam encouraging racial equality in the industry with attendees from countries across Europe. A campaign called 'Let's Kick Racism Out of Football' was launched in 1993 in Britain to also increase awareness and facilitate dialogue about the issue.{{Cite journal|last1=Cleland|first1=Jamie|last2=Cashmore|first2=Ellis|date=April 2017|title=Fans, Racism and British Football in the Twenty-First Century: The Existence of a Colorblind Ideology|url=https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/12124|journal=Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies|volume=40|issue=4|pages=638–654|doi=10.1080/1369183X.2013.777524|s2cid=144178675}}

In July 2024, Albania was one of seven countries who were sanctioned by UEFA following racism from their fans during Euro 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cgerp2d5pn5o|title=Euro 2024: Uefa sanctions seven nations for racist chants|date=24 July 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

In July 2024, Austria was one of seven countries who were sanctioned by UEFA following racism from their fans during Euro 2024.

{{See also|Football in Azerbaijan}}

In November 2020, UEFA fined Azerbaijani club Qarabağ FK €100,000 after the club's PR and media manager Nurlan Ibrahimov made a hate speech on social network calling to "kill all the Armenians, old and young, without distinction" amid the Nagorno-Karabakh war.{{cite web|title=Armenian Football Federation Complains About Qarabag 'Hate' Post|url=https://www.barrons.com/news/armenian-football-federation-complains-about-qarabag-hate-post-01604170205|work=Barron's|date=31 October 2020|access-date=26 November 2020}} UEFA also announced that it has life banned the Qarabağ official for the "racist and other discriminatory conduct” targeting Armenians.{{cite web|title=UEFA To Investigate Qarabag 'Hate' Post Targeting Armenians|url=https://www.barrons.com/news/uefa-to-investigate-qarabag-hate-post-targeting-armenians-01604337304|work=Barron's|date=2 November 2020|access-date=3 November 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1758476/sport|title=UEFA ban Qarabag official for Armenia comments|work=Arab News|date=4 November 2020|access-date=5 November 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/soccer/uefa-gives-soccer-official-life-ban-for-racist-behavior/2020/11/26/1f68f1f4-2ff7-11eb-9dd6-2d0179981719_story.html|title=UEFA gives soccer official life ban for racist behavior|newspaper=Washington Post|date=26 November 2020|access-date=26 November 2020|archive-date=6 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206091406/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/soccer/uefa-gives-soccer-official-life-ban-for-racist-behavior/2020/11/26/1f68f1f4-2ff7-11eb-9dd6-2d0179981719_story.html|url-status=dead}} Subsequently Ibrahimov was declared wanted in Armenia.{{cite web|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/11/27/armenia-puts-qarabag-fk-press-officer-nurlan-ibrahimov-on-wanted-list/|title=Armenia declares Qarabag FK press officer Nurlan Ibrahimov wanted|work=Public Radio of Armenia|date=27 November 2020|access-date=29 November 2020}}

{{See also|Football in Belgium}}

Oguchi Onyewu, an American of Nigerian descent, has been punched and shouted at by racist fans while playing for Standard Liège.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/worldcup/2006-06-01-intolerance-cup_x.htm |title=Concerns raised over racism during Cup |access-date=17 February 2008 |date=2 June 2006 |first1=Kelly |last1=Whiteside |first2=Johnnie |last2=Whitehead |work=USA Today}} He has also had incidents with other players, such as Jelle Van Damme, who, according to Onyewu, repeatedly called him a "dirty ape" during the 2008–09 Championship playoff, even after Onyewu relayed the information to the referees.{{Cite news |first=Michael |last=Adubato |title=Onyewu: We'll Make Liege Proud |url=http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=4745 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524170847/http://yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=4745 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=24 May 2009 |work=Yanks-Abroad.com |date=22 May 2009 |access-date=22 May 2009 |quote=I almost ended up fighting him (Van Damme). He called me a monkey several times. The league has these anti-racism campaigns, but when I told the referee what Van Damme was saying, he chose not to do anything about it. I also told the journalists after the game last night about this.}} Van Damme denied the accusations following the match, and claimed that Onyewu had called him a "dirty Flemish".{{Cite news |first=Greg |last=Seltzer |title=S365 Exclusive: No Onyewu Slur Look Pending |url=http://www.soccer365.com/us_news/story_22509121747.php |work=Soccer365.com |date=22 May 2009 |access-date=22 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524053256/http://soccer365.com/us_news/story_22509121747.php |archive-date=24 May 2009 }} Approximately two weeks later, on 2 June 2009, it was announced by Onyewu's lawyer that he was suing Van Damme in an effort to end on-field racism in European football.{{Cite magazine |title=U.S.' Onyewu sues over alleged racist slur |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/06/02/onyewu.slur.ap/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605085356/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/06/02/onyewu.slur.ap/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 June 2009 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |agency=Associated Press |date=2 June 2009 |access-date=2 June 2009}}

Zola Matumona left FC Brussels after he accused club chairman Johan Vermeersch of making racist remarks towards him during a crisis meeting at the struggling club. He is reported to have told Matumona to "think about other things than trees and bananas".{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7076565.stm |title=Matumona quits club over racism |access-date=17 February 2008 |date=3 November 2007 |work=BBC Sport}}

In December 2021 Anderlecht head coach Vincent Kompany was racially abused by Club Bruges fans during a match.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59720595|title=Kompany suffers abuse at Club Bruges|work=BBC Sport }}

{{See also|Racism in Bulgaria|Football in Bulgaria}}

In 2011 England national team players Ashley Young, Ashley Cole and Theo Walcott were subjected to racist abuse by Bulgarian fans.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50060759|title=Bulgarian football and its problem with racism|first=George|last=Wright|work=BBC News|date=15 October 2019}}

In 2013 fans of Levski Sofia unveiled a banner wishing 'happy birthday' to Adolf Hitler. In 2018 Levski Sofia were fined after fans, including children, were seen making Nazi salutes.

In September 2019 the England national team said they were going to prepare a plan for dealing with possible racist abuse during a forthcoming game in Bulgaria.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49672083|title=England: Gareth Southgate says team will plan how to respond to racism|work=BBC Sport|date=12 September 2019}} The plan was later reiterated by player Tammy Abraham,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49980927|title=Tammy Abraham: England prepared to walk off over racist abuse|work=BBC Sport|date=9 October 2019}} while Southgate said he understood why Bulgarian footballing authorities had been offended.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50004806|title=England: Gareth Southgate understands Bulgaria reaction to racism concerns|work=BBC Sport|date=10 October 2019}} Bulgaria national team manager Krasimir Balakov responded by saying racism was more of a problem in England than Bulgaria.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50036774|title=Euro 2020 qualifying: Bulgaria coach believes England has 'bigger' racism problem|work=BBC Sport|date=13 October 2019}} The match, which resulted in a 6–0 England victory,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49955900|title=Bulgaria 0-6 England: Racism overshadows dominant Euro 2020 qualifying win|work=BBC Sport |date=14 October 2019}} was marred by racist chants and salutes from some Bulgarian fans, and was halted twice as a result.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50048932|title=Bulgaria v England: Euro 2020 qualifier halted twice due to racist behaviour from fans|work=BBC Sport|date=15 October 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50050410|title=England stand tall on shameful night of racism in Bulgaria|work=BBC Sport|date=14 October 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50050477|title=Racist abuse in Bulgaria-England game 'clear as day' - Tyrone Mings|work=BBC Sport|date=14 October 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/oct/14/six-minutes-added-time-racism-england-bulgaria-euro-2020|title=England's vile and disturbing night in Sofia will live long in sporting infamy|first=Barney|last=Ronay |newspaper=The Guardian |date=15 October 2019|location=Stadion Vasil Levski|via=www.theguardian.com}} England player Jordan Henderson said the players wanted to make the Bulgarian fans "suffer" for their racist abuse with a big defeat.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50064013|title=Bulgaria racist abuse: England wanted to make home fans 'suffer' - Henderson|work=BBC Sport |date=15 October 2019}}

The Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told Borislav Mihaylov, the head of the Bulgarian Football Union, to resign, which he did later that day.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50054475|title=Bulgaria v England racism: Bulgarian Football Union president Borislav Mihaylov resigns|work=BBC Sport |date=15 October 2019}} National team manager Balakov claimed not to have heard any racist chanting,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50050684|title=Bulgaria coach Krasimir Balakov 'didn't hear' racist abuse in England loss|work=BBC Sport|date=14 October 2019}} while goalkeeper Plamen Iliev defended the fans, saying they had been well behaved.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/oct/15/bulgaria-goalkeeper-plamen-iliev-praises-home-fans-and-says-england-players-overreacted-euro-2020|title=Bulgaria goalkeeper praises home fans and says England players 'overreacted'|first=Metodi|last=Shumanov|newspaper=The Guardian |date=15 October 2019|via=www.theguardian.com}} Balakov also later resigned his role as national team manager.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50212951|title=Bulgaria fans' racism: Racist abuse of England players leads to stadium ban|work=BBC Sport |date=29 October 2019}}

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said they would "wage war on the racists",{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50059719|title=Bulgaria v England: 'Football family' must 'wage war on the racists' says Uefa president|work=BBC Sport|date=15 October 2019}} and would decide on a punishment for Bulgaria.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50202399|title=Uefa to decide Bulgaria punishment for racist abuse in England qualifier|work=BBC Sport|date=27 October 2019}} The next day UEFA announced that the Bulgarian FA would be fined 75,000 euros and forced to play two matches behind closed doors.

Four fans were later arrested by police,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50066016|title=Bulgaria v England: Police arrest four following racist abuse at Euro qualifier|work=BBC Sport|date=16 October 2019}} and were fined and banned by the Bulgarian FA.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50081437|title=Bulgaria authorities fine and ban four fans over racist abuse of England players|work=BBC Sport|date=17 October 2019}} Five more fans were then arrested.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50096560|title=Bulgaria police arrest five more fans over racist abuse of England players|work=BBC Sport|date=18 October 2019}} By 29 October 2019 there had been 12 arrests.

In May 2022, the players of CSKA Sofia had bananas and bottles thrown at them by fans who were angered after the team lost the Bulgarian Cup Final against archrivals Levski Sofia. Subsequently, four of CSKA's black players refused to play in their team's next match against Botev Plovdiv.{{Cite news|url=https://www.24chasa.bg/sport/article/11618734|title=Четирима отказаха да играят за ЦСКА заради бананите по тях, клубът с декларация|language=Bulgarian| work=24chasa.bg|date=19 May 2022|accessdate=21 June 2022}} In June 2022, CSKA Sofia's manager Alan Pardew confirmed that he is leaving the club, citing as one of the principal reasons the racism directed at the players and his assistant Alex Dyer by a small group of organized fans.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bgonair.bg/a/7-sport/267478-alan-pardyu-napuska-tsska-zagovori-za-rasistki-fenove-i-sabotazhi|title=Алън Пардю напуска ЦСКА, заговори за расистки фенове и саботажи|language=Bulgarian| editor=Petrov, Todor| work=bgonair.bg|date=1 June 2022|accessdate=21 June 2022}}

{{See also|Football in Croatia}}

Henri Belle moved to Croatia at the beginning of 2011, signing with Istra 1961. He drew attention to himself both by good games and through receiving racist taunts from Bad Blue Boys.{{cite web|url=http://www.vecernji.hr/sport/nogomet/boysi-rasplakali-kamerunca-bellea-degutantnim-hukanjem-clanak-378454|title=Boysi rasplakali Kamerunca Bellea degutantnim hukanjem|work=Večernji.hr|date=18 February 2012|access-date=24 September 2014}}

In April 2018, Dinamo Zagreb were punished for the racist actions of their fans.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47777718|title=Europa League: Dinamo Zagreb punished by Uefa for fans' racism|work=BBC Sport|date=1 April 2019}}

In July 2024, Croatia was one of seven countries who were sanctioned by UEFA following racism from their fans during Euro 2024.

{{See also|Racism in France|Football in France}}

On 14 April 1990, during a 1989-90 season match between Girondins de Bordeaux and Olympique Marseille, the Cameroonian goalkeeper Joseph-Antoine Bell was victim of racist acts at his return at Stade Vélodrome when he played for Bordeaux. During the entire match, some Marseille ultras threw bananas towards him{{Cite web |title=8 octobre 1954 : Naissance de Joseph-Antoine Bell |url=http://www.poteaux-carres.com/article-C5920061002172940.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008061255/https://www.poteaux-carres.com/article-C5920061002172940.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 October 2022 |access-date=9 November 2022 |website=archive.wikiwix.com }}{{Cite news |date=17 April 1990 |title=FOOTBALL : Marseille bat Bordeaux (2-0) Joseph-Antoine Bell sauve l'honneur |language=fr |work=Le Monde.fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1990/04/17/football-marseille-bat-bordeaux-2-0-joseph-antoine-bell-sauve-l-honneur_3959632_1819218.html |access-date=9 November 2022}} and taunted him with monkey chants and the racist chant "Joseph tu pues, va te laver le cul!" ("Joseph you stink, go wash your ass!") on the notes of Serge Gainsbourg's song Couleur café.{{Citation |last=Bromberger |first=Christian |title=«Bordelais, j'ai niqué ta mère...»: OM-Bordeaux (14 avril 1990) |date=13 October 2015 |url=http://books.openedition.org/editionsmsh/4086 |work=Le match de football: Ethnologie d’une passion partisane à Marseille, Naples et Turin |pages=71–102 |series=Ethnologie de la France |place=Paris |publisher=Éditions de la Maison des sciences de l’homme |language=fr |isbn=978-2-7351-1817-5 |access-date=9 November 2022}} This incident revealed to the broad daylight the rise of racism in the French stadia during the late 1980s, to incite the French club officials to look into said problem to remediate.{{Cite web |last=Borde |first=Alexandre |date=19 August 2014 |title=Légendes du football africain #5 : Joseph-Antoine Bell |url=https://www.lepoint.fr/sport/legendes-du-football-africain-5-joseph-antoine-bell-19-08-2014-1857601_26.php |access-date=9 November 2022 |website=Le Point |language=fr}}

In January 2005, as part of an anti-racism initiative in Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain's players wore all-white jerseys and the opposing Lens players wore all-black during a French league match. The move backfired after racist elements among PSG's crowd in the Kop of Boulogne sung "Come on the whites". The racist overtone was exacerbated by monkey chants from the Boulogne crowd whenever a Lens player touched the ball.{{cite news |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/9189866/Major-racist-incidents-in-European-soccer |title=Major racist incidents in European soccer |access-date=11 March 2009 |date=6 February 2009 |work=Fox Sports }}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

On 23 November 2006 in a game between Paris Saint-Germain and Haopel Tel Aviv, a police officer, as well as many players on the field were targets of racial slurs. The police officer being chanted at threw teargas into the stands and shot his gun, killing one and injuring another.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ajcgermany.org/atf/cf/%7B46AEE739-55DC-4914-959A-D5BC4A990F8D%7D/DB%20Racism%20in%20European%20Soccer%20-%20for%20ajc.pdf|title=Antisemitism and Racism in European Soccer|last=Pallade|first=Yves|date=May 2007|website=American Jewish Community|access-date=16 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429211450/http://www.ajcgermany.org/atf/cf/%7B46AEE739-55DC-4914-959A-D5BC4A990F8D%7D/DB%20Racism%20in%20European%20Soccer%20-%20for%20ajc.pdf|archive-date=29 April 2009|url-status=dead}}

On 18 April 2007, Lyon player Milan Baroš was accused of racially abusing Rennes' Stéphane Mbia by implying that Mbia smelt.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/6573067.stm |title=Baroš in racism row over M'Bia |access-date=5 August 2008 |date=20 April 2007 |work=BBC Sport}} On 4 May, he was found guilty of the gesture, but found not guilty of racism, and was banned for three league matches.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/6623671.stm |title=Baroš banned for M'Bia incident |access-date=5 August 2008 |date=4 May 2007 |work=BBC Sport}}

On 17 September 2007, Libourne's Burkinabe player Boubacar Kébé was abused by fans of Bastia; he was red-carded for retaliating.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6998552.stm |title=Kebe in racist abuse claim|access-date=17 February 2008 |date=17 September 2007 |work=BBC Sport}} In February 2008, Bastia was again at the centre of controversy when their fans unfurled a racist banner which read as "Kébé, on n'est pas raciste... La preuve on t'encule!" (Kébé, we are not racists... we'll fuck you to prove it!),{{Cite web |date=29 August 2019 |title=Insultes, Homophobie, Racisme… : les banderoles les plus polémiques |url=https://www.cnews.fr/sport/2019-08-29/insultes-homophobie-racisme-les-banderoles-les-plus-polemiques-873851 |access-date=28 September 2023 |website=CNEWS |language=fr}} again aimed at Kébé, which delayed the kick-off of the match by three minutes.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7260682.stm |title=Bastia face sanctions for racism |access-date=5 August 2008 |date=23 February 2008 |work=BBC Sport}}

On 17 February 2008, Abdeslam Ouaddou of Valenciennes was racially abused by a fan from opponents Metz; Metz and the Ligue de Football Professionnel announced that they would be suing the fan in question. The match referee did not see the incident, and so booked Ouaddou for challenging the fan.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7249413.stm |title=Referee unaware of Ouaddou abuse |access-date=21 February 2008 |date=5 August 2008 |work=BBC Sport}} Valenciennes Chairman Francis Decourrière later demanded that the match be replayed "in front of children from Valenciennes and Metz".{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7255470.stm |title=Racism row club wants replay |access-date=21 February 2008 |date=5 August 2008 |work=BBC Sport}} Following this incident, the French Football Federation made steps to introduce harsher punishments.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7268977.stm |title=French officials to combat racism |access-date=5 August 2008 |date=28 February 2008 |work=BBC Sport}}

In March 2008, Bastia's Frédéric Mendy claimed he had been racially abused by Grenoble fans.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7274052.stm |title=Mendy in racist abuse claim |access-date=1 March 2008 |date=5 August 2008 |work=BBC Sport}}

In November 2013, former defender and the France national team's most-capped player, Lilian Thuram, has said white players need to show solidarity with players who receive racist abuse, saying, "The action of not saying anything – somehow – it makes you an accomplice."{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24844331|title=Lilian Thuram wants white players to make a stand against racism|date=6 November 2013|access-date=27 March 2014|work=BBC Sport}}

On 13 November 2020, during the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Marseille, the PSG striker Neymar risked to be suspended for 10 matches after racially abusing Marseille's Japanese fullback Hiroki Sakai twice by calling him a "fucking Chinese" after telling Sakai to "go away"{{Cite web |date=30 September 2020 |title=Sale a la luz el vídeo de Neymar llamando "chino de mierda" a Sakai |url=https://www.20minutos.es/deportes/noticia/4400068/0/video-neymar-chino-mierda-sakai/ |access-date=9 November 2022 |website=20minutos |publisher=SPORTYOU |language=es}}{{Cite web |date=30 September 2020 |title=" Chinois de m*** " : Neymar Jr. accusé à son tour de racisme |url=https://www.lepoint.fr/sport/football/chinois-de-m-neymar-jr-accuse-a-son-tour-de-racisme-30-09-2020-2394361_1858.php |access-date=9 November 2022 |website=Le Point |language=fr}}{{Cite web |last=Mouv' |first=Team |date=30 September 2020 |title=Neymar : les images où il insulterait Sakai de "chinois de merde" dévoilées |url=https://www.radiofrance.fr/mouv/neymar-les-images-ou-il-insulterait-sakai-de-chinois-de-merde-devoilees-9100011 |access-date=9 November 2022 |website=Mouv' |language=fr}}{{Cite web |date=30 September 2020 |title=PSG-OM : cette vidéo prouve que Neymar a bien insulté le Japonais Hiroki Sakai (deux fois) |url=https://www.gqmagazine.fr/lifestyle/article/psg-om-cette-video-prouve-que-neymar-a-bien-insulte-le-japonais-hiroki-sakai-deux-fois |access-date=9 November 2022 |website=GQ France |language=fr-FR}} after Marseille player Álvaro González called Neymar ("fucking monkey"{{Cite web |date=21 September 2020 |title=PSG-OM : voici la vidéo qui prouve qu'Alvaro aurait bien traité Neymar de "singe" |url=https://www.gqmagazine.fr/lifestyle/article/psg-om-voici-la-video-qui-prouve-qu-alvaro-aurait-bien-traite-neymar-de-singe |access-date=9 November 2022 |website=GQ France |language=fr-FR}} after the latter called Gonzalez a "fucking faggot".{{Cite web |date=16 September 2020 |title=Les propos homophobes de Neymar contre Alvaro lors de PSG-OM pourraient lui coûter très cher |url=https://www.gqmagazine.fr/lifestyle/article/les-propos-homophobes-de-neymar-contre-alvaro-lors-de-psg-om-pourraient-lui-couter-tres-cher |access-date=9 November 2022 |website=GQ France |language=fr-FR}}

On 8 December 2020 a Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir was suspended after the fourth official allegedly used a racist term towards Istanbul assistant coach, Pierre Webó. The incident occurred 14 minutes into the game. Istanbul players left the pitch in protest with PSG players following. The match was abandoned and was scheduled to recommence on 9 December.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55219529|title=PSG and Istanbul players walk off|work=BBC Sport }}

On 29 November 2021 after a 1-0 win from Troyes, South Korean striker Suk Hyun-jun was racially abused by reserve players of Marseille, who were caught saying "Le samouraï nous a decoupé deux fois" ("The samurai cut down us twice"), when the South Korean striker made a late tackle on Marseille player Pape Gueye, which was followed by "Il va faire des sushis" ("He [Suk] is going to make some sushi [out of him]"), around 10 minutes before the end of the match.{{Cite web |title=OM-Troyes : l'ESTAC dénonce des propos racistes à l'égard de Hyun-Jun Suk |url=https://www.footmercato.net/a8854235362427328425-om-troyes-lestac-denonce-des-propos-racistes-a-legard-de-hyun-jun-suk |access-date=9 November 2022 |website=Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot Transfert |date=30 November 2021 |language=fr}}{{Cite web |title=Ligue 1: Troyes dénonce des "propos racistes" contre Suk face à l'OM |url=https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/ligue-1/ligue-1-troyes-denonce-des-propos-racistes-contre-suk-face-a-l-om_AV-202111300512.html |access-date=9 November 2022 |website=RMC SPORT |language=fr}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/01/football/suk-hyun-jun-racial-abuse-spt-intl/index.html |website=cnn.com|title=South Korean footballer Suk Hyun-jun racially abused during Ligue 1 game, Troyes alleges |date=December 2021 }} Three days later Marseille condemned the incident stating "Olympique de Marseille joined the Troyes club in strongly condemning the remarks made towards Suk Hyun-jun... OM also offers its full support to the Troyes player".{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/marseille/story/4537044/marseille-condemn-supporters-for-racist-abuse-at-troyes-striker-suk-hyun-jun-as-ligue-1-fan-trouble-continues|title=Ligue 1 fan trouble: Marseille condemn racism|date=2 December 2021|website=ESPN.com}}

In September 2022, during a friendly match between Brazil and Tunisia in Paris, Brazilian striker Richarlison had bananas thrown at him by fans.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63056129|title=Banana thrown at Brazil's Richarlison in racist attack|work=BBC Sport }}

In December 2022, Kylian Mbappé, Kingsley Coman, Randal Kolo Muani, and Aurélien Tchouameni were racially abused after their team's loss in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64031272|title=France's Coman and Tchouameni racially abused|work=BBC Sport }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/france-fra/story/4835664/france-federation-condemns-racist-abuse-of-mbappe-coman|title=FFF condemns racist abuse of Mbappe, Coman|date=20 December 2022|website=ESPN.com}}[https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/worldcup/french-minister-fifa-probe-world-cup-loss-1.6694928 French Minister FIFA probe World Cup loss] CBC.

In April 2023, PSG manager Christophe Galtier was accused of making racist comments whilst Nice manager, which he denied.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65276573|title=PSG boss Galtier denies making racist comments|work=BBC Sport }} In July 2023 it was announced that he would face trial in December.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66073429|title=PSG boss Galtier to face trial over alleged racism|work=BBC Sport }} At the trial he denied the allegations.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67732242|title=Galtier denies making racist remarks at French trial|work=BBC Sport }} Galtier was acquitted of the charges by the court.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67796530|title=Ex-Nice boss Galtier acquitted of racism allegations|work=BBC Sport }}

After the match between France and Argentina on the 2024 Paris Olympics, the social media accounts of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Loïc Badé were attacked with racist language and imagery.{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/jo-paris-2024/video/jo-2024-les-bleus-eliminent-l-argentine-le-racisme-contre-des-joueurs-francais-redouble-sur-les-reseaux-sociaux_237884.html|title=JO 2024 : Les Bleus éliminent l’Argentine, le racisme contre des joueurs français redouble sur les réseaux sociaux|date=3 August 2024|website=Huffington Post}}

In September 2024, PSG player Nuno Mendes was subjected to racism following a match,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cj311n5410lo|title=Nuno Mendes: Paris St-Germain condemn online racism towards defender|date=15 September 2024|website=BBC Sport}} and in November 2024, Nantes player Sorba Thomas was also racially abused following a match.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cqj0w4geddjo|title=Sorba Thomas: Nantes condemn alleged racist abuse of Wales and Huddersfield winger|date=11 November 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

{{See also|Racism in Germany|Football in Germany}}

In 1994, Borussia Dortmund star Júlio César threatened to leave the club after he was refused admission to a local nightclub because of him being black.

FC St. Pauli fans responded decisively to outbreaks of racism in the German game. With the slogan, Gegen rechts ('Against the Right'), a combination of fans and students took to the club's terraces in 1992 to protest against politically motivated racism.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

In December 1992, three months after the Rostock-Lichtenhagen riots, all the teams in the German League followed the St. Pauli lead and, over one weekend, all players played in shirts displaying the slogan "Mein Freund ist Ausländer" ("My friend is a foreigner"). The German Sports Youth's 1995 "No Chance for Hatred" campaign has promoted activities against racism and xenophobia on a national scale, encouraging local clubs to participate. This campaign has not spurred German football authorities into further action.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

In 1996, Merkel 1996 reports that they vehemently refuse to acknowledge that racism is a major problem, and dismiss racist abuse as isolated incidents which are unrelated to the sport. Most of their measures are concerned with law and order — reducing violence at matches — but anti-racist action is very sparse.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

Racism in German football is much more subtle than in other parts of Europe; monkey chanting have been replaced with codes, such as the number 88, which stands for "HH" or "Heil Hitler" ("H" is the eighth letter of the alphabet in both German and English). Some teams, for example Hannover 96, have banned such symbols from their stadiums.{{cite news |url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,799673,00.html |title=Fighting Racism in the Soccer Stadium |access-date=5 August 2008 |date=6 March 2003 |work=Deutsche Welle |first=Andreas |last=Tzortzis}}

In December 2005, in a game between FC Energie Cottbus and Dynamo Dresden, Cottbus displayed a large banner with the word "Juden" lined with the two stars of David. The "d" in "Juden" was based on the emblem of Dynamo Dresden. No penalties on this act of antisemitism were imposed nor was the banner confiscated, though it was quite publicized in the media.{{Cite book|title=Antisemitism and Racism in European Soccer| last1=Pallade| first1=Yves| last2=Villinger| first2=Christoph| last3=Berger| first3=Deidre| publisher=AJC Berline Office|year=2007|pages=5}}

On 25 March 2006, in a match between Sachsen Leipzig and Hallescher FC, Leipzig's Nigerian midfielder Adebowale Ogungbure was spat at and called a "nigger" and "ape" by opposition fans, who later aimed monkey noises at him. In retaliation he placed two fingers above his mouth in reference to Hitler's mustache and performed a Nazi salute.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/04/sports/soccer/04racism.html |title=Surge in Racist Mood Raises Concerns on Eve of World Cup |access-date=25 June 2014 |date=4 June 2006 |work=The New York Times |first=Jere |last=Longman}} Ogungbure was arrested by German police, as it is illegal to make Nazi gestures for political or abusive purposes, but criminal proceedings were dropped 24 hours later.{{cite news |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,409517,00.html |title=Player Silences German Racists With Hitler Salute |access-date=17 February 2008 |date=3 April 2006 |work=Der Spiegel |first=Eva |last=Lodde |author2=Mike Glindmeier |author3=Jens Todt}}

In April 2006, in a match between St. Pauli and Chemnitzer FC, visiting Chemnitz fans stormed Turkish-owned stores chanting "Sieg Heil" and waving imitation Nazi flags. Some shouted, "We're going to build a subway from St Pauli to Auschwitz."

Ghana-born German international striker Gerald Asamoah has frequently been the target of racist abuse. On 10 September 2006, Hansa Rostock were investigated for racist abuse in a friendly game{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/5332318.stm |title=Asamoah targeted by racist taunts |access-date=5 August 2008 |date=10 September 2006 |work=BBC Sport}} and were subsequently found guilty; the team was fined $25,000.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/5345382.stm |title=Rostock fined for Asamoah abuse |access-date=17 February 2008 |date=14 September 2006 |work=BBC Sport}}

On 19 August 2007, it was announced that Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller would be investigated by the German Football Association (DFB) after apparently calling Asamoah a "black pig".{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6954005.stm |title=Asamoah in racist abuse claim |access-date=17 February 2008 |date=19 August 2007 |work=BBC Sport}}

On 4 February 2007, a racist German football fan was apprehended by fellow fans during a match between Energie Cottbus and VfL Bochum, and faces a lifetime ban.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6329959.stm |title=German fans single out 'racist' |access-date=17 February 2008 |date=4 February 2007 |work=BBC Sport}} Racist chants in Cottbus are said to be commonplace.

Torsten Ziegner was given a five-match ban in October 2008 for racially abusing Nigerian player Kingsley Onuegbu during a match against Eintracht Braunschweig.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7695544.stm|title=German player banned for racism|access-date=28 October 2008|date=28 October 2008|publisher=BBC}}

On 22 July 2018, Mesut Özil (of Turkish origin) announced his retirement from the German national team, citing racism. He Tweeted in his statement posted on Twitter, Özil wrote: "In the eyes of Grindel and his supporters, I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose."{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/22/mesut-ozil-retires-german-national-team-discrimination|title=Mesut Özil walks away from Germany team citing 'racism and disrespect'|last=Bryant|first=Tom|date=23 July 2018|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=24 July 2018}} The incident followed controversy in the German media following his photo with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/23/mesut-ozil-accused-betraying-germanys-turkish-community-support/|title=Mesut Ozil accused of betraying Germany's Turkish community with support for Erdogan after he resigns from national team|last=Huggler|first=Justin|date=23 July 2018|work=The Telegraph|access-date=24 July 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}

In February 2020, an entire stadium chanted “Nazis out” during a game between Preussin Munster and Wurzburger Kickers after a fan made monkey noises towards defender Leroy Kwadwo.{{Cite web|last=Grez|first=Matias|date=17 February 2020|title=Stadium unites after racist incident|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/17/football/germany-racism-leroy-kwadwo-wurzburger-kickers-preussen-munster-spt-intl/index.html|access-date=6 February 2021|website=CNN}} On 20 March 2021, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham received racist abuse on Instagram after his side drew 2–2 with FC Köln.{{Cite web|date=20 March 2021|title=Jude Bellingham reveals racist abuse received on Instagram|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/mar/20/jude-bellingham-reveals-racist-abuse-received-on-instagram|access-date=21 March 2021|website=The Guardian}} In May 2021, Hertha Berlin sacked Jens Lehmann after a racist WhatsApp message to Dennis Aogo was made public.{{Cite web|date=5 May 2021|title=Hertha Berlin sack Jens Lehmann after racist WhatsApp message|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11893/12297412/jens-lehmann-hertha-berlin-fire-former-arsenal-goalkeeper-for-racist-whatsapp-message|access-date=29 May 2021|website=Sky Sports}}

In 2022, during WELT-TV's coverage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, German former footballer and pundit Jimmy Hartwig was criticised on social media by fans after two videos of him were published. In the first video, where he analysed Germany's early exit from the tournament with the WELT-TV host Carsten Hädler, Hartwig uttered the words "ching chang chong" followed by a bow, perceived as racism against East Asians, with a presumably Japanese Twitter user accused Hartwig of hypocrisy, by telling in a post that "Jimmy Hartwig says he is against racism based on his own experiences, but it's a pity that he did not hesitate discriminating against Asians with "ching chang chong"".{{Cite web |date=5 December 2022 |title="Ching, Chang, Chong": Ex-Fußballprofi Jimmy Hartwig erntet Shitstorm für Äußerung im TV |url=https://www.t-online.de/region/frankfurt-am-main/id_100092646/-ching-chang-chong-ex-fussballprofi-jimmy-hartwig-erntet-shitstorm-fuer-aeusserung-im-tv.html |access-date=1 February 2025 |website=t-online |language=de}} The second video was when Hartwig and two other commentators, commenting about the last two group stage matches, said that Germany did not had a chance of winning the World Cup and that he hoped that Spain won, referring to Spain as "the toreros" and Japan as "the rice department" ("Reisabteilung"). The WELT management company removed the videos from YouTube and Hartwig posted an apology on his Instagram.{{Cite web |title=ドイツ元プロサッカー選手、自国番組でのアジア人差別発言を謝罪 「本当にごめんなさい！」 |url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/nl/articles/2212/07/news143.html |access-date=1 February 2025 |website=ねとらぼ |language=ja}}

In June 2024, national team manager Julian Nagelsmann criticised national broadcaster ARD for a poll regarding the ethnicity of national team players, with Nagelsmann saying it was "racist".{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cw4437m0gkpo|title=Julian Nagelsmann: German football coach condemns broadcaster's 'racist' survey|date=3 June 2024|website=BBC News}}

In July 2024, the under-18 team of English club Liverpool twice walked off the pitch during Bundesliga Cup matches against Hoffenheim and Frankfurt, due to racism directed towards one of their players.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cv2g3np5p9do|title=Liverpool U18s walk off pitch twice after alleged racist abuse in Germany|date=21 July 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

In November 2023, Aberdeen player Pape Habib Guèye was allegedly racially abused by PAOK Salonika fans.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67375512|title=Aberdeen's Gueye racially abused during PAOK draw|work=BBC Sport }} UEFA said they would investigate the matter.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67412818|title=Uefa to investigate Gueye racism allegations|work=BBC Sport }}

{{See also|Racism in Hungary|Football in Hungary}}

On 8 June 2021, prior to a friendly game between Hungary and the Republic of Ireland, the Irish players had been booed by Hungarian fans prior to kick-off for taking the knee in a symbolic gesture against racism.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57411682|title=Ogbene calls for Uefa action over booing|work=BBC Sport }}

On 2 September 2021, England players Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham were both racially abused in Hungary’s World Cup qualifier game with England and fans loudly booed the English players prior to kick off for taking the knee to protest against racism.{{Cite web|date=2 September 2021|title=Hungary v England: Visiting players racially abused at Puskas Arena|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58428699|access-date=3 September 2021|website=BBC Sport}} Hungary’s players and manager Marco Rossi had asked supporters to respect England’s gesture before the match. England's taking of the knee was again booed by Hungary fans (primarily children) in June 2022.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61692552|title=England's anti-racism gesture jeered in Hungary|work=BBC Sport }}

In July 2024, Hungary was one of seven countries who were sanctioned by UEFA following racism from their fans during Euro 2024.

{{See also|Racism in Italy|Football in Italy}}

In 1984, during a Derby della Mole match, Juventus supporters racially abused Torino's Brazilian midfielder Léo Júnior by displaying banners with racist phrases. In retaliation, Torino's fans responded with a banner with written Meglio negro che juventino ("Better [being a] negro than a Juventus fan").{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/do-you-remember/people=252326/index.html|title=Junior, from the pitch to the box|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910053714/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/do-you-remember/people=252326/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 September 2015}}{{cite web |title=Cori razzisti, da Leo Junior a Balotelli ecco quando la curva odia il nero {{!}} Torino la Repubblica.it |url=http://torino.repubblica.it/dettaglio/cori-razzisti-da-leo-junior-a-balotelli-ecco-quando-la-curva-odia-il-nero/1620683 |website=torino.repubblica.it |access-date=8 October 2021 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407092054/https://torino.repubblica.it/dettaglio/cori-razzisti-da-leo-junior-a-balotelli-ecco-quando-la-curva-odia-il-nero/1620683 |url-status=dead }} In In that same year, Júnior also suffered another incident of racism. After Torino played an away match against AC Milan, Milan's supporters repeatedly shouted insults and spat at him while he was going out of the field with his mother and his godfather.{{cite web |title=RAZZISMO ALLO STADIO JUNIOR PROTESTA - la Repubblica.it |url=https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1985/04/03/razzismo-allo-stadio-junior-protesta.html |website=Archivio - la Repubblica.it |date=3 April 1985 |language=it}}

In 1989, after Udinese paid Standard Liège £ 1.500.000 to sign Israeli striker Ronny Rosenthal, the team directors were under pressure from Hooligans Teddy Boys, an extremist fringe of the Udinese's ultras, which sent blackmail letter signed with a swastika to club president Giampaolo Pozzo to not sign a Jewish footballer and vandalized the club's headquarters with antisemitic writings such as Non vogliamo ebrei al Friuli ("We don't want Jews at the Friuli"), "Rosenthal, vai al forno" ("Rosenthal, go to the oven").{{cite web |title='EBREO NON TI VOGLIAMO' - la Repubblica.it |url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1989/07/18/ebreo-non-ti-vogliamo.html |website=Archivio - la Repubblica.it |date=18 July 1989 |language=it}} and Rosenthal Go Home, this latter being accompanied by a skull with crossed bones.{{cite web |title=L' estate di Ronny Rosenthal |url=https://ilnobilecalcio.it/2019/08/27/l-estate-di-ronny-rosenthal/ |website=Il Nobile Calcio |language=it-IT |date=27 August 2019}} As a result of this intimidatory behaviour, Udinese signed Abel Balbo instead.{{cite web |last1=Ghezzi |first1=Riccardo |title=La storia di Rosenthal, il calciatore israeliano ripudiato dall'antisemitismo degli ultras dell'Udinese |url=http://www.linformale.eu/la-storia-di-rosenthal-il-calciatore-israeliano-ripudiato-dallantisemitismo-degli-ultras-delludinese/ |website=L'Informale |language=it-IT |date=12 August 2017}}

The media outcry resulted in a parliamentary interrogation, and later, Rosenthal sued the club for moral damages:{{cite web |title=CALCIO NEWS - la Repubblica.it |url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1993/06/10/calcio-news.html |website=Archivio - la Repubblica.it |date=10 June 1993 |language=it}} in 1995, the Italian judicial authorities found the club responsible of discriminatory behaviour, sentencing it to a compensation of 61 million lire.{{cite book |last1=Morando |first1=Paolo |title='80: L'inizio della barbarie |date=14 January 2016 |publisher=Gius.Laterza & Figli Spa |isbn=978-88-581-2408-6 |pages=127 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tM2ODAAAQBAJ |language=it}} This was not the first time a player was threatened by said fringe of Udinese's ultras: In October 1986, Udinese's Peruvian striker Geronimo Barbadillo was target of racial abuse by said fans, who vandalized the perimeter walls of his residence with insults such as "Negro di merda, vattene" (Fucking nigger, go away") and sending death threats to him and his family via telephone after the club was consensually negotiating the termination of his contract to sign with Daniel Bertoni.{{Cite web |title=Guida al razzismo nel calcio italiano |url=https://lavialibera.it/it-schede-278-calcio_campionato_seriea_razzismo |access-date=28 September 2023 |website=lavialibera.it |language=it}}{{Cite web |date=18 July 1989 |title='EBREO NON TI VOGLIAMO' - la Repubblica.it |url=https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1989/07/18/ebreo-non-ti-vogliamo.html |access-date=28 September 2023 |website=Archivio - la Repubblica.it |language=it}}{{Cite book |last=Gherpelli |first=Lamberto |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-Y5YDwAAQBAJ&dq=barbadillo+udinese+negro+vattene&pg=PT144 |title=Che razza di calcio |date=2 May 2018 |publisher=Associazione Gruppo Abele Onlus - Edizioni Gruppo Abele |isbn=978-88-6579-190-5 |language=it}}

Black footballers playing in the Serie A top flight in 1992–93 were also racially abused. Two black Dutch players, Ruud Gullit and Aron Winter, have spoken out against such racist taunts. Their complaints spurred a day of action on 13 December 1992, with the slogan "No al razzismo!" ("No to racism") being paraded by all players in the two Italian divisions.

On 28 April 1996, when Dutch player Maickel Ferrier signed with Hellas Verona, the club's ultras (which are not new to racism behaviour), protested against the signing by hanging a black mannequin (to represent Ferrier) with a banner with a message in Veronese dialect written "El negro i ve la regalà. Dasighe el stadio da netarǃ!" (The nigger was given to you. Give him the stadium to clean!!) at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi.{{cite web |date=4 April 2019 |title=Una brutta storia di razzismo: il manichino del giocatore impiccato in curva |url=http://www.ilbazardelcalcio.com/2019/04/una-brutta-storia-di-razzismo-e.html |access-date=28 September 2023 |language=it}}

Paul Ince also complained about open abuse during his spell with Inter Milan in Italy between 1995 and 1997.

On 27 November 2005, Marco Zoro attempted to stop the Messina–Inter match by leaving the field with the ball after being tormented by racist taunts from some Inter supporters. He was eventually convinced to keep playing by other players, notably by Inter's Adriano. These facts then brought strong and unanimous condemnations by the whole football community within Italy, and a five-minute delay for an anti-racism display for all the matches to be played in the next week in the country. The actions of the Inter supporters were also brought to the attention of the European football governing body UEFA and the EU.

In April 2009, Inter's Mario Balotelli, an Italian footballer of Ghanaian descent, was subjected to racial abuse from Juventus fans.{{cite news|url=http://football.uk.reuters.com/seriea/news/LJ467490.php |work=Reuters |access-date=21 May 2009 |date=19 April 2009 |title=Juve president slams own fans for racist chants |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717041904/http://football.uk.reuters.com/seriea/news/LJ467490.php |archive-date=17 July 2009 }} They were handed a one-game home fan ban as a result.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8008928.stm |publisher=BBC|access-date=21 May 2009 |date=20 April 2009 |title=Juve punished over racial abuse }} At UEFA Euro 2012 playing for Italy, he fell victim to monkey chants during a match against Spain.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18409916|title=Euro 2012: Uefa investigates allegations of racism by fans|work=BBC Sport|date=12 June 2012}}{{cite web|last=Rosenburg|first=Joseph|title=Racism in Soccer.|date=18 October 2012 |url=http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2012/10/18/racism-in-soccer/}} After Italy defeated England in the quarter-finals, Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport published a cartoon depicting Balotelli as King Kong on top of Big Ben.{{Cite web|title=Euro 2012: Gazzetta's King Kong cartoon enrages Mario Balotelli camp|website=TheGuardian.com|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/jun/26/euro-2012-mario-balotelli-king-kong|date=26 June 2012}} After his move from Milan to Liverpool in August 2014, he was the target of more than 8,000 abusive posts on social media between that time, and by March 2015, more than 4,000 of these posts were racist in nature.{{Cite web|title = Mario Balotelli racism abuse statistics shock Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers|url = http://www.espnfc.us/liverpool/story/2404161/mario-balotelli-racism-abuse-statistics-shock-liverpool-boss-brendan-rodgers|website = ESPNFC.com|date = 17 April 2015|access-date = 22 October 2015}}

On 3 January 2013, then-Milan midfielder Kevin Prince-Boateng, as well as the remainder of his Milan teammates, walked off the pitch early in a friendly match against lower league side Pro Patria after enduring racial abuse from fans of the latter.{{Cite web|title = AC Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng leads team off pitch in protest at racist chanting in friendly match with Pro Patria|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/sportvideo/9778415/AC-Milans-Kevin-Prince-Boateng-leads-team-off-pitch-in-protest-at-racist-chanting-in-friendly-match-with-Pro-Patria.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130103225645/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/sportvideo/9778415/AC-Milans-Kevin-Prince-Boateng-leads-team-off-pitch-in-protest-at-racist-chanting-in-friendly-match-with-Pro-Patria.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = 3 January 2013|website = Telegraph.co.uk|access-date = 9 November 2015}}

On 11 May 2014, bananas were thrown at Milan's Kévin Constant and Nigel de Jong, both black, by Atalanta fans during their Milan's 2–1 defeat.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27363859|title=AC Milan: Bananas thrown at players by Atalanta fans|date=11 May 2014|access-date=13 May 2014|work=BBC Sport}} Atalanta were later fined €40,000.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27374486|title=Atalanta fined over banana incident in Italy's Serie A|date=12 May 2014|access-date=13 May 2014|work=BBC Sport}}

On 12 June 2015, Croatian national team supporters marked a swastika on the soccer pitch prior to their match against the Italy national team. As a punishment, The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) ordered a £70,000 fine to the Croatians. On top of the fine, the Croatian team was forced to play their next two home matches in an empty stadium.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/club/croatia/477/blog/post/3564475/croatia-road-to-the-world-cup-final-filled-with-controversy-scandal|title=Croatia's controversy-filled road to the final|work=ESPN.com|access-date=15 October 2018|language=en}}

In April 2019, Juventus forward Moise Kean was subject to racist chants by Cagliari fans.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47793676|title=Moise Kean: Juventus teenage striker suffers racist abuse at Cagliari|work=BBC Sport |date=3 April 2019}} Juventus teammate Leonardo Bonucci was heavily criticised after stating that Kean was partly to blame by his celebration which caused further jeers,{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/136548/bonucci-stands-kean-comments|title=Bonucci stands by Kean comments|publisher=Football Italia|date=3 April 2019}} by England international Raheem Sterling who deemed the comments 'laughable',{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47798392|title=Moise Kean: Raheem Sterling says Leonardo Bonucci racism comments laughable|work=BBC Sport |date=3 April 2019}} compatriot Mario Balotelli, English singer Stormzy,{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/136554/balotelli-bonucci-lucky-i-wasnt-there|title=Balotelli: 'Bonucci lucky I wasn't there'|publisher=Football Italia|date=3 April 2019}} and former Juventus player Paul Pogba.{{cite web|url=https://www.football365.com/news/sterling-pogba-defend-kean-over-bonucci-50-50-criticism|title=Sterling, Pogba defend Kean over Bonucci '50-50' criticism|publisher=football365|date=3 April 2019}} Bonucci implied that Kean's celebration caused further jeers, stating to Sky Sport Italia: "Kean knows that when he scores a goal, he has to focus on celebrating with his teammates. He knows he could've done something differently too. There were racist jeers after the goal, Blaise heard it and was angered. I think the blame is 50–50, because Moise shouldn't have done that and the Curva should not have reacted that way. We are professionals, we have to set the example and not provoke anyone." Later, he made a post on Instagram which read "Regardless of everything, in any case... no to racism." In response to the criticism, the following day, Bonucci posted on Instagram: "After 24 hours I want to clarify my feelings. Yesterday I was interviewed right at the end of the game, and my words have been clearly misunderstood, probably because I was too hasty in the way I expressed my thoughts. Hours and years wouldn't be enough to talk about this topic. I firmly condemn all forms of racism and discrimination. The abuses are not acceptable at all and this must not be misunderstood."{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/04/04/football/leonardo-bonucci-moise-kean-juventus-racism-italy-spt-int/index.html |title=Leonardo Bonucci says he was 'too hasty' with Moise Kean racial abuse comments |publisher=CNN |author1=Aimee Lewis |date=4 April 2019 |access-date=4 April 2019 }}

In August 2019, Romelu Lukaku was racially abused by Cagliari opposition fans.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49546433|title=Romelu Lukaku: Inter Milan striker racially abused in Cagliari game|work=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2019}} He later said that the sport was "going backwards" on racism.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49554260|title=Romelu Lukaku: Ex-Man Utd striker says 'we are going backwards' on racist abuse|work=BBC Sport |date=2 September 2019}} An Inter fan group called Curva Nord later said that the monkey chants from opposition fans were a sign of respect towards Lukaku.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49576840|title=Romelu Lukaku: Monkey chants a form of 'respect' and 'not racist' say Inter Milan fans group|work=BBC Sport |date=4 September 2019}} Italian TV pundit Luciano Passirani was later banned for making racist comments about Lukaku.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49713647|title=Italian TV station bans pundit Luciano Passirani for racist Romelu Lukaku comment|work=BBC Sport |date=16 September 2019}} On 15 September 2019, Franck Kessie was reportedly racially abused by Hellas Verona fans during a match with AC Milan. On 16 September 2019, Hellas Verona released a statement on their Twitter account and denied the happening.{{cite web|url=https://sempremilan.com/hellas-verona-respond-to-accusations-of-racist-chants-against-kessie|title=Hellas Verona respond to accusations of racist chants against Kessie|access-date=16 September 2019|website=sm|date=16 September 2019 }} Later that month, Piara Powar of anti-discriminatory body Fare said that "the rot is deep" when discussing racism in Italian football.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49738276|title='Racism rot is deep' in Italian football, says anti-discriminatory body Fare|work=BBC Sport |date=18 September 2019}}

In September 2019, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the Italian FA should issue stadium bans for racist fans/clubs.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49793650|title=Racism in football: Italy should issue stadium bans - Gianni Infantino|work=BBC Sport |date=23 September 2019}} Later that month Roma said they had banned a fan for racially abusing Juan Jesus.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49849571|title=Roma ban fan for life after racist abuse of defender Juan Jesus|work=BBC Sport |date=27 September 2019}}

In October 2019, Lazio were punished with a fine and a closed stadium after fans had been racist.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50066775|title=Racism in football: Uefa punish Lazio with partial stadium closure for fan behaviour|work=BBC Sport |date=16 October 2019}} In the same month, Sampdoria and England Under-21s midfielder Ronaldo Vieira was the target of alleged monkey chants from Roma fans in the 0-0 draw between the two sides.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50118919|title=Ronaldo Vieira: Sampdoria midfielder racially abused by Roma fans|date=20 October 2019|access-date=21 October 2019|language=en-GB}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50118919|title=Ronaldo Vieira: Sampdoria midfielder racially abused by Roma fans|work=BBC Sport |date=20 October 2019}}

In November 2019, Mario Balotelli was racially abused by opposition fans from Hellas Verona; he kicked the ball into the crowd and threatened to walk off the pitch.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50281847|title=Hellas Verona 2-1 Brescia: Mario Balotelli threatens to walk off pitch after racist abuse from fans|work=BBC Sport |date=3 November 2019}} Balotelli later described the fans as "small minded".{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50295523|title=Mario Balotelli: Brescia striker angry at racist abuse from 'small-minded' fans|work=BBC Sport |date=4 November 2019}} Hellas Verona banned the club's ultra leader from its games until June 2030, after a subsequent interview with him in which he openly called Balotelli racial slurs.{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/146076/verona-ban-racist-ultras-leader|title=Verona ban racist ultras leader|publisher=Football Italia|date=5 November 2019}}

In December 2019 the Corriere dello Sport newspaper was criticised by AS Roma for using a 'Black Friday' headline accompanied by photographs of black players Romelu Lukaku and Chris Smalling.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50668979|title=Romelu Lukaku & Chris Smalling: 'Black Friday' headline 'terrible' - Roma|work=BBC Sport |date=5 December 2019}} Later that month Serie A launched an anti-racism campaign featuring cartoon monkeys,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50814275|title=Serie A uses monkeys in anti-racism posters|work=BBC Sport |date=16 December 2019}} which was criticised, with club AC Milan distancing itself from the campaign.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50820915|title=Serie A anti-racism campaign: Monkey artwork condemned by AC Milan and Roma|work=BBC Sport |date=17 December 2019}} Serie A later apologised.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50831337|title=Serie A anti-racism campaign: League apologises for monkey artwork|work=BBC Sport |date=17 December 2019}}

On 12 September 2021, Tiémoué Bakayoko and Franck Kessie were targets of racial abuse by Lazio fans after Milan's 2-0 win. The incident was reported to be examined by the Italian Football Federation after a complaint from Milan. Bakayoko responded on Instagram: "To some Lazio fans and their racist cries towards to me and my brother [Kessie]. We are strong and proud of our skin colour. I have all my confidence in our club to identify them."{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12410885/tiemoue-bakayoko-and-franck-kessie-lazio-fans-investigated-for-alleged-racism-towards-ac-milan-players|title=Tiemoue Bakayoko and Franck Kessie: Lazio fans investigated for alleged racism towards AC Milan players|website=Sky Sports}}

On 4 October 2021, following Napoli's 2-1 win against Fiorentina, Kalidou Koulibaly along with several other black players of Napoli including Victor Osimhen and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa were subjected to monkey chants. Fiorentina's general manager Joe Barone had publicly apologised to the players targeted. Koulibaly posted on Twitter calling for those who perpetrated the racial abuse to receive lifetime bans.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/04/napoli-fiorentina-racist-abuse-kalidou-koulibaly|title=Napoli's perfect start overshadowed as racist abuse rears its ugly head|website=The Guardian|date=4 October 2021 }}

In October 2021 during an under-21 European Championship between Sweden and Italy, Swedish player Anthony Elanga was allegedly racially abused by an opponent. Italy denied the allegation in a statement: "With regards to the Swedish FA's claim and published by various media outlets, the FIGC deny in the strongest way possible the one of our under-21 players, during the Italy-Sweden game played in Monza yesterday, aimed a racist insult at an opposition player - an incident which, as far as we are aware, has not been founded by any match official or UEFA delegate".{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/manchester-united-engman_utd/story/4496774/man-uniteds-anthony-elanga-claims-he-was-racially-abused-by-opponent-in-sweden-italy-clash|title=Man Utd teen alleges racist abuse in U21 clash|date=13 October 2021|website=ESPN.com}}

On 20 March 2022, Milan players Fikayo Tomori and Mike Maignan were racially abused by Cagliari supporters after a 1-0 victory; Milan manager Stefano Pioli said both players told him they overheard racial abuse from the Cagliari end.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/ac-milan/story/4622838/ac-milan-players-racially-abused-by-cagliari-fans-pioli|title=Pioli: Cagliari fans racially abused Milan players|date=21 March 2022|website=ESPN.com}} Cagliari striker João Pedro claimed the allegations are false and defended his club's fans.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ex-chelsea-star-fikayo-tomori-26512441|title=Ex-Chelsea star Fikayo Tomori reports racist abuse in AC Milan vs Cagliari|first=Tom|last=Blow|date=20 March 2022|website=Mirror}}

In January 2023, Lazio were ordered to close part of their stadium due to racist chants from their fans.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64181999|title=Lazio told to close stand after fans' racist chants|work=BBC Sport }}

In April 2023, Romelu Lukaku suffered racist abuse from Juventus fans after scoring a late equaliser.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/05/romelu-lukaku-inter-demands-serie-a-action-racist-abuse-juventus|title=Inter's Romelu Lukaku demands action after racist abuse at Juventus|date=5 April 2023|newspaper=The Guardian}} Juventus were punished with a one-match partial stadium closure as punishment.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65198675|title=Juve handed one-match partial stadium closure|work=BBC Sport }}

In June 2023, the Italian FA announced a ban of the number 88 on player shirts, due to anti-semitic connotations.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66037831|title=Italian FA bans 88 on shirts in anti-Semitism drive|work=BBC Sport }}

In January 2024, after Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was allegedly racially abused by Udinese fans, he and his teammates walked off the pitch.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68045160|title=Maignan and Milan walk off after alleged racist abuse|work=BBC Sport }} Following the incident, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said teams whose fans are racist should automatically forfeit games.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68046422|title=Forfeit games when fans are racist - Fifa boss|work=BBC Sport }} Udinese also had to play their next game behind closed doors.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68070713|title=No fans at Udinese game over Maignan racist abuse|work=BBC Sport }} Initially one Udinese fan was banned for life,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68060176|title=Udinese fan banned for life after racist abuse|work=BBC Sport }} before a further four received similar punishments.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68086367|title=Four Udinese fans banned for life over Maignan abuse|work=BBC Sport }}

In March 2024, Napoli player Juan Jesus was allegedly racially abused by Inter Milan player Francesco Acerbi, although no punishment was given due to lack of evidence.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68669594|title=Lack of punishment for Acerbi 'astonishing' - Napoli|work=BBC Sport }} Napoli's player later took the knee in protest.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68698493|title=Napoli players take knee in support of team-mate Jesus|work=BBC Sport }}

In July 2024, South Korean player Hwang Hee-chan was allegedly subjected to racism from a Como player in a pre-season friendly.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0351zlzddmo|title=Hwang Hee-chan: Wolves forward target of an alleged racist remark by Como player friendly, says boss Gary O'Neil|date=15 July 2024|website=BBC Sport}} His club Wolves complained,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cy79pnxv4veo|title=Hwang Hee-chan: Wolves to formalise complaint after alleged racism during Como friendly|date=16 July 2024|website=BBC Sport}} and the South Korean FA contacted FIFA regarding the incident.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cgrl8e2l7jeo|title=Hwang Hee-chan: Korean FA writes to Fifa after alleged racist abuse of Wolves player|date=19 July 2024|website=BBC Sport}} In October 2024, Como player Marco Curto was given a 10-game ban by FIFA for the incident.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5y065y1jnxo|title=Hwang Hee-chan: Como player Marco Curto banned for racist abuse of Wolves player|date=7 October 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

{{See also|Racism in Lithuania|Football in Lithuania}}

On 24 March 2007, in a match between France and Lithuania, a banner was unfurled by Lithuanian supporters that depicted a map of Africa, painted with the French flag colors (blue, white and red), with a slogan of "We Support French Diversity."{{cite web |url=http://www.farenet.org/default.asp?intPageID=7&intArticleID=1290 |title=Racist banner exhibited at Lithuania-France Euro 2008 qualifier |access-date=17 February 2008 |date=30 March 2007 |publisher=Football Against Racism in Europe |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721201215/http://www.farenet.org/default.asp?intPageID=7&intArticleID=1290 |archive-date=21 July 2011 }}

{{See also|Football in Montenegro}}

In a match between Rangers and Zeta in August 2007, Rangers players DaMarcus Beasley (an African American) and Jean-Claude Darcheville (a black Frenchman) were subjected to racist abuse by Zeta players{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/6934106.stm |title=Rangers welcome inquiry by Uefa |access-date=5 August 2008 |date=8 August 2007 |work=BBC Sport}} and Zeta were later fined £9,000.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/7017762.stm |title=Gers opponents fined over racism |access-date=5 August 2008 |date=28 September 2007 |work=BBC Sport}}

In March 2019, during a match between Montenegro and England, several England players were allegedly subjected to monkey chants from Montenegro fans.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47700628|title=England to report racist abuse of players in Montenegro|work=BBC Sport |date=26 March 2019|access-date=26 March 2019}} UEFA charged the Montenegro FA with racist behaviour.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47705811|title=Montenegro face racist behaviour charge in Euro 2020 qualifier against England|date=26 March 2019|access-date=26 March 2019|work=BBC Sport}} Ex-player John Barnes said calls for players to walk off the pitch wouldn't work.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47713460|title=Montenegro v England: Tackling racism in society must come first, warns Barnes|date=26 March 2019|work=BBC Sport}}

As of April 2019, UEFA has punished Montenegro for their fans' racial abuse to some of the black players in the England national team. It occurred in a Euro 2020 qualifier between the two sides. The punishment includes paying a 20,000 euro fine and being forced to play their next qualifying match behind closed doors in an empty stadium. The Football Association has commented by saying that they hope the punishment "sends out a message"{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/2019-04-26/montenegro-will-play-next-match-in-empty-stadium-as-punishment-for-racist-abuse-of-england-players/|title=Montenegro punished by UEFA over fans' racist abuse of England players|website=ITV News|date=26 April 2019 }} to those who feel inclined to racially abuse others.

{{See also|Racism in Netherlands|Football in Netherlands}}

In the 1980s Stanley Menzo was subjected to racist abuse from fans.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59462361|title=The former Ajax keeper who struck back at racist abusers|work=BBC Sport }}

In a 1991 interview, Heerenveen manager Fritz Korbach racially abused two black players, calling Bryan Roy "a short fucking negro" and Romário "that coffee bean of PSV").{{cite news|url=http://www.nrc.nl/sport/article1747419.ece/Pap,_Wesley_praat_ook_zo_hoor_|title=Pap, Wesley praat ook zo hoor|work=NRC Handelsblad|date=30 November 2006|access-date=29 October 2009|language=nl|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025051450/http://www.nrc.nl/sport/article1747419.ece/Pap,_Wesley_praat_ook_zo_hoor_|archive-date=25 October 2008}} Furtherly, Korbach also insulted Simon Tahamata, who was of Moluccan descent, calling him a "train hijacker".{{Cite web|url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/fritz-korbach-moet-vooral-uit-de-media-blijven|title=Fritz Korbach moet vooral uit de media blijven|website=www.vi.nl|date=12 November 2007 |language=nl}} During UEFA Euro 1996, the Afro-Surinamese Dutch player Edgar Davids was sent home after publicly alleging discrimination within the team's organization.

In 2004, a Dutch match between ADO Den Haag and PSV was abandoned after 80 minutes due to racist chanting from some members of the crowd.{{cite news|first=Jason|last=Gee|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/oct/18/newsstory.sport|title=Racist chanting stops match|work=The Guardian|date=18 October 2004|access-date=31 December 2012}}

In November 2006, Kenneth Perez received a five-game ban for shouting 'kankerneger', ('cancerous negro') at black linesman Nicky Siebert.{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/other-sport/2006/11/27/dane-apologises-for-racist-remark|title=Dane apologises for racist remark|work=The Star Online|date=27 November 2004|access-date=19 October 2019}}

In November 2011, Guyon Fernandez received a six-game ban for hitting opposition player Rens van Eijden.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/news/2011/November/08/fernandez-hit-for-six/n13340/|title=Fernandez hit for six|date=8 November 2011|access-date=13 November 2014|publisher=Soccerway}} Fernandez claimed he was reacting to racist abuse from Van Eijden.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/news/2011/November/09/fernandez-claims-van-eijden-abuse/|title=Fernandez claims van Eijden abuse|date=9 November 2011|access-date=13 November 2014|publisher=Soccerway}}

During the 2012–13 KNVB Cup quarter-final match between FC Den Bosch and AZ Alkmaar, American AZ Alkmaar forward Jozy Altidore was the target of racist chants. Den Bosch's director, Peter Bijvelds, blamed "malicious supporters making a scandalous mess of the evening". He said Den Bosch, AZ and the referee considered abandoning the match, but decided against it.{{cite news|title=Jozy Altidore suffers racial abuse during AZ Alkmaar-FC Den Bosch Dutch Cup quarterfinal|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/u-s-soccer-star-altidore-targeted-racist-fans-article-1.1250689|access-date=7 October 2015|work=NYDailyNews.com|agency=The Associated Press|publisher=Daily News, L.P.|date=29 January 2013}}

In November 2019 Ahmad Mendes Moreira was subjected to racism from opposition FC Den Bosch fans. Den Bosch initially tried to claim the sounds were crows, but later apologised for the claim.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50457235|title=Ahmad Mendes Moreira: Den Bosch apologise for 'crow sounds' statement|date=18 November 2019|work=BBC Sport}} A few days later, Dutch international Georginio Wijnaldum celebrated an international goal by gesturing at his skin colour in support of Mendes Moreira,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50486585|title=Georginio Wijnaldum: Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman backs midfielder's gesture|date=20 November 2019|work=BBC Sport}} and later that month it was announced that players in the Dutch top two divisions would not play for the 1st minute of the next weekend's games in protest at racism.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/50506276|title=Footballers in the Netherlands will protest against racism - CBBC Newsround|newspaper=BBC Newsround |date=22 November 2019 }}

In October 2024, Loum Tchaouna was racially abused in a match against Twente.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cj4vd57l9gzo|title=Lazio's Loum Tchaouna taken off after being racially abused in Europa League win over Twente|date=25 October 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

{{See also|Football in Norway}}

{{expand section|John Carew|date=January 2012}}

In one case, young player Caleb Francis was severely abused in his debut match for Kongsvinger IL. The abuse halted and nearly broke his career, but he returned to Kongsvinger's senior team after two years,{{cite news|first=Sturla|last=Sjem|title=Mobbeofferet som ikke lot seg knekke|date=21 May 1991|work=VG|page=23|language=no}} and had a long career.

Several other players have experienced racism, often while playing national or club matches abroad. These players include Daniel Braaten{{cite news|title=Nordiske fotballspillere mot rasisme|date=19 December 2005|agency=Norwegian News Agency|language=no}} and Pa Modou Kah.{{cite news|title=Hetset av en hel sving|date=16 October 2002|work=VG|language=no}}

Top-tier club Vålerenga Fotball famously played their with the slogan "Vålerenga Against Racism" instead of a shirt sponsor in the 1997 season.{{cite news|title=Kaasa fra mobbeoffer til helt|date=29 April 1997|work=Dagbladet|language=no}} An official campaign, initiated by the footballers' trade union, is called "Give Racism the Red Card".

{{See also|Racism in Poland|Football in Poland}}

According to The Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism and Racism, football stadiums in Poland are a recruiting ground for extremist organisations.{{cite web |url=http://www.tau.ac.il/Anti-Semitism/asw2001-2/poland.htm |title=Antisemitism And Racism |publisher=Tau.ac.il |access-date=19 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404043228/http://www.tau.ac.il/Anti-Semitism/asw2001-2/poland.htm |archive-date=4 April 2008|date=2001}}{{cite web|url=http://www.polityka.pl/archive/do/registry/secure/showArticle?id=3346274 |title=Polityka — Archiwum — Artykuł |publisher=Polityka.pl |access-date=19 March 2010}} {{as of|2001}}, neo-fascist symbols were a common sight there.{{cite web|author=Mihir Bose |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/mihirbose/2008/04/polish_footballs_racism_proble_1.html |title=BBC Sport | Mihir Bose |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |access-date=19 March 2010}}

During the Extraordinary Congress of the International Football Federation (FIFA), held in Buenos Aires from 6–7 July 2001, the problem of racism in Polish football was discussed and Polish national football association was called to join the struggle against racism. The problem of anti-Semitism in Polish football has drawn international criticism. Poland was named as one of the worst offenders, in British Member of Parliament John Mann report, which describes anti-Semitic incidents in 18 countries across Europe. It was noted that Polish fans routinely call each other "Jews" as a term of abuse.[http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1203847451790&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull]{{dead link|date=September 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}.

In April 2008, ŁKS Łódź player Arkadiusz Mysona wore a shirt which said "Śmierć żydzewskiej kurwie" ("Death to Widzew-Jewish Whore", which is word play used by the LKS Łódź supporters, who call fans of their local rivals "Jews") after a match in the Polish Ekstraklasa.{{cite web|url=http://www.sport.pl/pilka/1,79005,5169217.html|title=Śmierć żydzewskiej k.....|access-date=27 June 2008|date=30 April 2008|publisher=sport.pl}} Mysona said afterwards that the shirt was given to him by a fan and he had not checked it.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

In 2003, the Polish anti-racist "Never Again" Association organized a tournament with the slogan "Let's Kick Racism out of the Stadiums", imploring the Polish Football Association to act against racism in the sport.{{cite book|author=Joanna B. Michlic|author-link=Joanna Michlic|title=Poland's Threatening Other: The Image of the Jew from 1880 to the Present|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t6h2pI7o_zQC&pg=PA264|year=2006|publisher=U of Nebraska Press|isbn=0-8032-5637-X|page=264}}{{cite book|author=Christos Kassimeris|title=Anti-Racism in European Football: Fair Play for All|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RTA2AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA45|year=2009|publisher=Lexington Books|isbn=978-0-7391-3822-9|page=45}} In 2012, ahead of UEFA Euro 2012, the Polish anti-racist "Never Again" Association launched one of the most extensive anti-racist campaigns in football,[https://www.dw.com/cda/en/crusaders-in-the-crowd-fighting-polands-right-wing-football-ultras/a-19330835 Crusaders in the crowd: Fighting Poland's right-wing football ultras], Deutsche Welle, 15 June 2016 as a long-standing partner of the Fare network.{{Cite journal|url=http://journals.sfu.ca/jd/index.php/jd/article/viewFile/31/30|author=Jurczyszyn, Lukasz|title='Respect–Diversity Football Unites' UEFA/FARE Program at EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. Between Pro-diversity Project and Security Policy Towards Far-right Groups| journal=Journal for Deradicalization |volume=4|pages=226–255}} The BBC Panorama program toured football matches in Poland before UEFA Euro 2012, jointly held in Poland and Ukraine. The journalists recorded "a chorus of anti-Semitic chanting" and witnessed "black football players enduring monkey chants from the terraces".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18192375 |title=BBC News - Sol Campbell warns fans to stay away from Euro 2012 |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=28 May 2012 |access-date=3 June 2012}}

In March 2025, the Football Association of Ireland reported a racist incident in an under-17 match in Poland.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c3rne5pd7j0o|title=Republic of Ireland U17s: FAI wants Uefa action after 'racist incident' in Poland game|date=24 March 2025|website=BBC Sport}}

{{See also|Racism in Portugal|Football in Portugal}}

In 2015, Portuguese international player Renato Sanches was targeted with monkey chants by Rio Ave supporters while leaving the pitch in a Benfica match at Vila do Conde. The player jokingly responded to the chants by clapping and making a monkey pose.{{cite news|url=https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/primeira_liga/artigo/2016/04/25/renato-sanches-alvo-de-provocacoes-racistas-em-vila-do-conde |title= SAPO Desporto - Renato Sanches foi alvo de provocações racistas em Vila do Conde |newspaper= Sapo Desporto |publisher=desporto.sapo.pt |date=25 April 2016 |access-date=23 August 2016}}

In 2017, former Benfica footballer Nélson Semedo was racially insulted in a match at Vitória de Guimarães.{{Cite web|url=https://www.publico.pt/2020/02/17/desporto/noticia/nelson-semedo-insultos-racistas-hoje-fez-marega-saido-campo-1904502|title=Nélson Semedo sobre insultos racistas: "Hoje teria feito o mesmo que fez o Marega. Teria saído de campo"|first=Filipa Almeida|last=Mendes|date=17 February 2020|website=PÚBLICO}} He did not leave the pitch and chairs were thrown at him after he reacted to the racial slurs.[https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/taca-da-liga/artigos/nelson-semedo-foi-alvo-de-insultos-e-comentarios-racistas Nélson Semedo foi alvo de "insultos e comentários racistas"] SAPO Desporto (in Portuguese)

In 2020, former Porto footballer Moussa Marega left the pitch after he was subjected to racists insults at Vitória de Guimarães.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=17 February 2020|title=Marega walks off after racist abuse|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200217-porto-striker-marega-walks-off-pitch-after-racist-abuse|access-date=4 February 2021|website=France24}}

{{See also|Football in Republic of Ireland}}Cyrus Christie revealed that he was subjected to racist abuse whilst on international duty with Republic of Ireland outside the training ground when he first joined up, and also revealed that he was receiving racist abuse after games.{{Cite web|last=Goodwin|first=Adam|date=13 August 2020|title=Christie opens up on racist abuse|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12020/12047668/cyrus-christie-reveals-racist-abuse-while-on-republic-of-ireland-duty|access-date=4 February 2021|website=Sky Sports}}

In March 2023, the Irish under-15 national team were subject to racist abuse.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65072145|title=FAI condemns 'vile and horrific racial abuse' aimed at U15 boys team|work=BBC Sport }}

{{See also|Racism in Romania|Football in Romania}}

The publicized display of portraits of Romania's World War II leader and convicted war criminal Ion Antonescu and racist slogans by football hooligans during Liga I's 2005–2006 season prompted UEFA intervention (see Racism Breaks the Game).Mihir Bose, [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2364962/Johansson-worried-by-Romanian-racist-antics.html "Johansson Worried by Romanian Racist Antics"], in The Daily Telegraph, 7 September 2005

On 15 November 2019, Swedish player Alexander Isak suffered allegedly racist abuse from Romanian fans during a match between the two countries. The match was initially halted, but continued after Isak and the referee consulted on the matter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11862456/alexander-isak-sweden-striker-subjected-to-racist-abuse-by-romania-fans|title=Sweden vs Romania halted as Alexander Isak suffers racist abuse by fans in European Qualifier|website=Sky Sports}} UEFA investigated and found there had been no racism.{{Cite web|url=https://www.frf.ro/nationale/masculin/echipa-nationala/decizia-comisiei-de-disciplina-uefa-nu-au-existat-manifestari-rasiste-la-partida-romania-suedia/|title=Decizia Comisiei de Disciplină UEFA: Nu au existat manifestări rasiste la partida România – Suedia | Federația Română de Fotbal|date=14 December 2019 |accessdate=28 March 2023}}

In July 2024, Romania was one of seven countries who were sanctioned by UEFA following racism from their fans during Euro 2024.

In November 2024, Romania were ordered to play their next home match behind closed doors, due to anti-Hungarian racism from fans in a previous match.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ckgdp1z19p2o|title=Romania awarded 3-0 win after Kosovo walk-off|date=20 November 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

{{See also|Racism in Russia|Football in Russia}}

Cameroonian player André Bikey suffered racist abuse while playing for Lokomotiv Moscow.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6567053.stm|title=Bikey embraces English culture|access-date=17 February 2008|date=18 April 2007|publisher=BBC}}

Brazilian footballer Antonio Geder of Saturn Moscow was received with monkey chants at Petrovsky Stadium in a match against Zenit Saint Petersburg.{{cite web|url=http://www.proz.com/?sp=profile&eid_s=48653&sp_mode=port|title=Racism in football|access-date=16 March 2009|date=18 April 2007|publisher=Luciano Monteiro}}

In March 2008, black players of French side Marseille, including André Ayew, Ronald Zubar and Charles Kaboré, were targeted by fans of Zenit Saint Petersburg;{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7294360.stm|title=Marseille to decide on complaint|access-date=13 March 2008|date=13 March 2008|author=Joachim Barbier|publisher=BBC}} Zenit fans were later warned by police in Manchester not to repeat their behaviour ahead of the 2008 UEFA Cup Final.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7397379.stm|title=Racism warning for Zenit support|access-date=12 May 2008|date=12 May 2008|publisher=BBC}} Later on, Zenit coach Dick Advocaat revealed the club's supporters were racist. When they attempted to sign Mathieu Valbuena, a Frenchman, many fans asked "Is he a negro?" Additionally, Serge Branco, who played for Krylia Sovetov Samara, accused Zenit's staff of racism: "Each time I play in St Petersburg I have to listen to racist insults from the stands. Zenit bosses do not do anything about it which makes me think they are racists too."{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2299242/Zenit-fans-are-racist-admits-Dick-Advocaat.html|title=Zenit fans are racist, admits Dick Advocaat|access-date=11 July 2009|date=3 May 2008|work=Daily Telegraph|author=Will Stewart | location=London}}

On 20 August 2010, Peter Odemwingie, a Russian-born Nigerian international, joined English Premier League team West Bromwich Albion. Shortly after signing, photographs showed Lokomotiv Moscow fans celebrating the sale of Odemwingie through the use of racist banners targeted at the player. One banner included the image of a banana and read "Thanks West Brom".{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8951098.stm | work=BBC News | title=Odemwingie attacks 'racist' fans | date=27 August 2010}}

On 12 February 2011, Roberto Carlos signed a contract with Russian Premier League club Anzhi Makhachkala. In March, during a game away at Zenit Saint Petersburg, a banana was held near the player by one of the fans as the footballer was taking part in a flag-raising ceremony.{{cite news |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Russian-fan-presents-Roberto-Carlos-with-a-racis?urn=sow-wp265 |title=Russian fan presents Roberto Carlos with a racist banana |first=Brooks |last=Peck |date=23 March 2011 |work=Yahoo! Sports |access-date=23 July 2011}} In June, in a match away at Krylia Sovetov Samara, Roberto Carlos received a pass from the goalkeeper and was about to pass it when a banana was thrown onto the pitch, landing nearby. The 38-year-old Brazilian picked it up and threw it by the sidelines, walking off the field before the final whistle and raising two fingers at the stands, indicating this was the second such incident since March.{{cite news |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gziDwP58fE8Z6qoSoC1SyRaP-c-Q |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223131918/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gziDwP58fE8Z6qoSoC1SyRaP-c-Q |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 February 2012 |title=Roberto Carlos banana attack alarms Russia |first=Maria |last=Antonova |date=23 June 2011 |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=24 June 2011}}

In December 2012, Zenit fans published a manifesto demanding that the club exclude all non-white and homosexual players from the club's roster. The demands were refused by the club, which released a statement saying that "the team's policy is aimed at development and integration into the world soccer community, and holds no archaic views". Until the summer of 2012, Zenit was the only team in the Russian top flight never to have signed a minority player.{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1268282/zenit-st.-petersburg-fans-demanding-all-white,-non-gay-team?cc=5901 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121219230258/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1268282/zenit-st.-petersburg-fans-demanding-all-white,-non-gay-team?cc=5901 |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 December 2012 |title=Zenit rebuffs fans' demands |date=17 December 2012 |publisher=Associated Press |work=ESPN FC |access-date=18 December 2012}}

In October 2013, Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré received racist abuse from opposition fans whilst playing against CSKA Moscow in Russia. The club's stadium was partially closed as punishment.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24647259|title=Manchester City's Yaya Toure wants action on racist chants|date=23 October 2013|access-date=27 March 2014|work=BBC Sport}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24654499|title=CSKA Moscow: Uefa opens racist chants case after Man City match|date=24 October 2013|access-date=27 March 2014|work=BBC Sport}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24670047|title=Yaya Toure: Fifa & Uefa must act over football racism|date=25 October 2013|access-date=27 March 2014|work=BBC Sport}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24749146|title=Yaya Toure: CSKA Moscow punished for racist chants|date=30 October 2013|access-date=27 March 2014|work=BBC Sport}} Touré suggested that black players might boycott the 2018 FIFA World Cup, to be held in Russia, if racism continued in the country.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24660581|title=Yaya Toure: Black players may boycott 2018 Russia World Cup|date=25 October 2013|access-date=27 March 2014|work=BBC Sport}}

In September 2014, Dynamo Moscow defender Christopher Samba was racially abused playing in the Moscow derby against Torpedo Moscow. As a result, Torpedo were forced to close part of their stadium,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29330275|title=Torpedo Moscow: Partial fan ban over racism at Christopher Samba|date=25 September 2014|access-date=28 September 2014|author=Rafael Saakov|work=BBC Sport}} although Samba was also banned for two games for swearing at the racist fans.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29391257|title=Samba banned for his reaction to racist abuse in Moscow|date=27 September 2014|access-date=28 September 2014|author=Rafael Saakov|work=BBC Sport}}

In a friendly match between Russia and France in Saint Petersburg on 17 April 2018, monkey chants were directed at members of the French team.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2018/04/17/fifa-russia-racism-scandal-world-cup-monkey-chants-france/524903002/|title=Russian soccer faces racism scandal over monkey chants toward French players|website=USA TODAY}} The noises were picked up by television cameras and reported by photographers at the side of the pitch. As a result, "disciplinary actions have been opened against the Russian Football Union (RFU) for this incident", a FIFA statement read.{{cite web|last1=Rogers|first1=Martin|title=Russian soccer faces racism scandal over monkey chants toward French players|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/soccer/2018/04/17/fifa-russia-racism-scandal-world-cup-monkey-chants-france/524903002/|website=azcentral}}

In March 2019 Pavel Pogrebnyak was accused of racism after saying it was "laughable" for black players to represent the Russian national team.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47622840|title=Russian striker Pavel Pogrebnyak's comment on black players 'smells of racism'|date=19 March 2019|work=BBC Sport}}

{{See also|Racism in Serbia|Football in Serbia}}

In October 2006, 37 Borac Čačak fans were arrested and eight faced criminal charges after racially abusing the club's Zimbabwean player Mike Temwanjera during a first division match.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6053480.stm|title=Arrests over Zimbabwean abuse|access-date=17 February 2008|date=16 October 2006|publisher=BBC}} Borac Čačak was at the centre of more controversy in March 2008 when a Ghanaian player, Solomon Opoku, was attacked by fans; six fans were later arrested, with four being later charged.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7287445.stm|title=Ghanaian injured in racist attack|access-date=10 March 2008|date=10 March 2008|publisher=BBC}}

On 29 November 2006, Hajduk Kula coach Nebojša Vučićević racially insulted Red Star Belgrade's Senegalese defender Ibrahima Gueye.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6195486.stm|title=Senegal defender in racism storm|access-date=17 February 2008|date=29 November 2006|publisher=BBC}} The coach responded to the accusation: "I told my players several times to put pressure on the black guy, I don't see anything wrong with that."

During a match against England's under-21 side, an unnamed Serbian under-21 player was accused of racially abusing the black English defender Justin Hoyte, while the Serbian fans were alleged to have racially abused England's Nigerian-born full-back Nedum Onuoha.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6753585.stm|title=Uefa probes England & Serbia U21 |access-date=17 February 2008|date=18 June 2007|publisher=BBC}}

Following racist abuse from Montenegrin club Zeta fans, DaMarcus Beasley, during his stint with Scottish side Rangers, recalled previous instances of racism whilst playing away in Belgrade from fans of Red Star.{{cite web|url=http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/football.cfm?id=1242342007|title=Beasley wants hard line on racist chants|access-date=17 February 2008|date=8 August 2007|work=Edinburgh Evening News|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116015538/http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/football.cfm?id=1242342007|archive-date=16 November 2007}} Red Star, however, has been defended by some of its black players, such as Segundo Castillo and Franklin Salas, with Castillo saying that, "Red Star fans are not racist."{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6965826.stm|title=Kosanovic blasts Rangers striker|access-date=17 February 2008|date=27 August 2007|publisher=BBX}} Rangers boss Walter Smith stated he had not heard the abuse, having been absorbed in the game.

In 2017, a group of fans at a game between FK Rad and Partizan Belgrade held up a racist banner and directed monkey sounds towards Everton Luiz, a Brazilian player.{{cite web|last1=Lapchick|first1=Richard|title=Racist acts in sport were on the rise in 2017|url=http://kwese.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/22041345/racism-continued-rear-ugly-head-sports-2017|website=KweseESPN|publisher=ESPN|access-date=24 April 2018|date=11 January 2018}} Efforts to stop the taunts failed and the opposing team joined in the racist actions, leaving Luiz in tears.

In November 2019 Partizan Belgrade manager Savo Milosevic said there was no racism problem in Serbia after his team were punished for racist actions by fans.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50325379|title=No racism problem in Serbia, says Partizan Belgrade manager Savo Milosevic|date=6 November 2019|work=BBC Sport}}

On 18 February 2021, AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic was subjected to racist abuse by an individual seated in the VIP box during a Europa League match against Red Star Belgrade.{{Cite web|date=24 February 2021|title=Ibrahimovic racially abused during Europa League clash with Red Star Belgrade|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11863/12227404/zlatan-ibrahimovic-uefa-opens-investigation-after-ac-milan-striker-racially-abused-at-red-star-belgrade|access-date=25 February 2021|website=Sky Sports}}

In June 2024, during the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, Serbian fans were accused of racism towards England players.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0jjy31pv1po|title=Euro 2024: Uefa investigating claims of racism towards England players|date=17 June 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

In July 2024, Serbia was one of seven countries who were sanctioned by UEFA following racism from their fans during Euro 2024.

{{See also|Racism in Slovakia|Football in Slovakia}}

On 4 April 2007, football supporters from Slovan Bratislava displayed a banner which contained the words "Alles Gute Adi" and a smiley-head face of Adolf Hitler during a match against Senec; racist chants were also heard. Three days later, on 7 April, Slovan Bratislava fans were responsible for directing monkey chants at Artmedia Bratislava's Karim Guédé.{{cite web|url=http://www.farenet.org/news_article.asp?intNewsID=877|title=Public display of Nazi propaganda at Slovak First Division match|access-date=17 February 2008|date=25 May 2007|publisher=Football Against Racism in Europe |archive-url = https://archive.today/20070928061739/http://www.farenet.org/news_article.asp?intNewsID=877 |archive-date = 28 September 2007}}

In July 2024, Slovenia was one of seven countries who were sanctioned by UEFA following racism from their fans during Euro 2024.

{{See also|Racism in Spain|Football in Spain}}

In the 1992–93 La Liga season, the Rayo Vallecano goalkeeper Wilfred Agbonavbare was the target of racist abuse from Real Madrid fans, such as chants as Negro, cabrón, recoge el algodón! ("Nigger, motherfucker, go to pick some cotton!"){{cite web |last1=Bort/SD |first1=J. M. |title="Negro cabrón, recoge el algodón" y otros precedentes racistas en el fútbol español |url=https://www.levante-emv.com/deportes/2021/04/04/racismo-futbol-precedentes-caso-diakhaby-46087548.html |website=Levante-EMV |language=es |date=4 April 2021}} and a middle-aged man from Madrid saying on live TV that "that fucking nigger from Rayo" and the referee Juan Andújar Oliver were to blame for Real Madrid's defeat, much to the amusement of the teenage fans who shouted "Ku Klux Klan".{{cite web |last1=Padilla |first1=Toni |title=Wilfred, el portero del Rayo convertido en símbolo de la lucha contra el racismo |url=https://es.ara.cat/deportes/wilfred-portero-rayo-vallecano-simbolo-lucha-racismo_1_3631770.html |website=Ara en Castellano |language=es |date=26 January 2021}} In the same live TV report, a 13-year old Real Madrid fan furiously took the microphone and spat, making a verbal threat to the Nigerian goalkeeper saying "Sunday we'll go to beat to death the nigger, that son of a bitch, in Vallecas".{{cite web |last1=Manero |first1=Felipe de Luis |title=El problema |url=https://ctxt.es/es/20210401/Firmas/35607/racismo-futbol-Cadiz-Valencia-Mouctar-Diakhaby-Juan-Cala-Felipe-de-Luis-Manero.htm |website=ctxt.es {{!}} Contexto y Acción |language=es}} When asked about the abuse suffered, Wilfred stated "That's normal, I am dark-skinned and having made many saves, I expected people to shout at me. But I am a footballer and this is nothing, I am very focused on [playing] my match".{{cite web |title=Cinco años sin Willy |url=https://as.com/futbol/2020/01/27/segunda/1580130506_538866.html |website=AS.com |language=es |date=27 January 2020}}{{cite web |title=The Tragic Story of Wilfred Agbonavbare |url=https://breakingthelines.com/historical/11056/ |website=Breaking The Lines}} The Bukaneros, a far-left ultras group from Rayo Vallecano, dedicated to Wilfred a graffiti with the dedication "For your defense of the Sash against racism, we will not forget you".

Since 1996, after his transfer from Real Madrid to FC Barcelona, many supporter groups of Barcelona's rivals (Ultras Sur being the first) "abused" Luis Enrique (even though he does not have African ancestry himself) with the rhyming chant "Luis Enrique, tu padre es Amunike" (Luis Enrique, your father is Amunike),{{cite web |title=Liga Santander: LaLiga denuncia los insultos a Luis Enrique en Leganés |url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/primera-division/2016/09/21/57e28819468aeb187e8b45cc.html |website=Marca.com |language=es |date=21 September 2016}} which referenced the Nigerian striker, who then, was his teammate for the culés.{{cite web |title=Amunike: "¿Soy el padre de Luis Enrique? No, pues no tengo tiempo para chorradas" |url=https://www.abc.es/deportes/futbol/abci-amunike-padre-luis-enrique-no-pues-no-tengo-tiempo-para-chorradas-202011190107_noticia.html?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.es%2Fdeportes%2Ffutbol%2Fabci-amunike-padre-luis-enrique-no-pues-no-tengo-tiempo-para-chorradas-202011190107_noticia.html |website=abc |language=es |date=19 November 2020}}{{cite web |title=El origen del cántico entre Luis Enrique y Amunike |url=https://www.memedeportes.com/futbol/el-origen-del-cantico-entre-luis-enrique-y-amunike |website=Memedeportes |language=ES}} The abuse still carried on such as in 2016, when a man abused Luis Enrique – now as Barcelona's coach – with said chant when the latter was getting out from the bus at El Prat airport a day before the 2016-17 Champions League fourth group stage match against Manchester City F.C.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/es/article/emmanuel-amunike-luis-enrique-petardos-campeolones-nigeria-futbol-oro-olimpicos/|title=Petardos: Emmanuel Amunike, el 'campeolón' que apadrinó a Luis Enrique|website=Vice.com|date=17 March 2016 }}

Aston Villa's Dalian Atkinson returned from Spain after one season with Real Sociedad, unhappy with the reception he received and identifying racial abuse as a major factor in his rapid departure from the Spanish club.

Ivorian midfielder Félix Dja Ettien suffered racial abuse when he first signed for Levante (where he stayed from 1997 to 2008); he was ignored by the coach due to his inability to speak Spanish and whenever he fell ill, he was accused of having malaria or AIDS.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/4019643.stm|title=Felix who?|access-date=17 February 2008|date=17 November 2004|author=Phil Minshull|publisher=BBC}}

During a training session in 2004, a Spanish TV crew filmed Spain national team head coach Luis Aragonés trying to motivate José Antonio Reyes by making offensive and racist references to Reyes' then-teammate at Arsenal, Thierry Henry. The phrase used was "Demuestra que eres mejor que ese negro de mierda", translated as "Show that you're better than that fucking black guy". The incident caused uproar in the British media, with calls for Aragonés to be sacked. When Spain played England in a friendly match at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium soon after, on 17 November 2004, the atmosphere was hostile. Whenever black England players touched the ball, a significant proportion of the Spanish crowd began to make monkey chants, in particular to Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole. Additionally, when England sang their national anthem before kick-off, Spanish fans also racially chanted English players. Aragonés' remarks were widely blamed by the British press for inciting the incident. After an investigation into the events during the match, UEFA fined the Royal Spanish Football Federation 100,000 CHF (US$87,000) and warned that any future incidents would be punished more severely.{{cite web|url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,1798795,00.html|title=European Soccer's Racism Problem|access-date=17 February 2008|date=2 December 2005|publisher=Deutsche Welle}} The incident even drew reactions from then-Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair and Sports Minister Richard Caborn,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/spain/article/0,2763,1354973,00.html |title=Spanish apologise for soccer racism|access-date=17 February 2008|date=19 November 2004|author=Paul Kelso and Giles Tremlett|work=The Guardian | location=London}} with the latter making the claim that the behaviour of Spanish fans was 20 or 30 years behind that of their British counterparts.{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Kelso |author2=Giles Tremlett |title=Spanish apologise for soccer racism |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/nov/19/football.spain |work=The Guardian |date=19 November 2004 |access-date=5 August 2008 | location=London|author2-link=Giles Tremlett }} UEFA noted that possible punishments could include suspension from major international tournaments or the closure of Spain home international matches to supporters. On 7 February 2007, Aragonés won an appeal over the offence, with the misdemeanour being downgraded to "conduct which could be considered to be racist".{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6338381.stm|title=Aragones wins Henry case appeal|access-date=17 February 2008|date=7 February 2007|publisher=BBC}}

In February 2005, Samuel Eto'o received racially driven verbal abuse from some Real Zaragoza spectators during a match for Barcelona. The fans began making monkey-like chants whenever Eto'o had possession of the ball and peanuts were hurled onto the pitch. Eto'o threatened to leave the pitch in the middle of the game, but was prevented by the intervention of his teammates and the referee, who rushed to the pitch to calm him down. His black teammate Ronaldinho, who has suffered similar abuses but less intensely, said he was fed-up with the sounds and that if Eto'o had left the pitch, he would have done the same. As Barcelona won 4–1, Eto'o danced like a monkey, saying rival fans were treating him as a monkey.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/4261881.stm |title=Eto'o responds to racist abuse|access-date=17 February 2008|date=13 February 2005|publisher=BBC}} Referee Fernando Carmona Méndez did not mention the incidents in his match report, commenting only that the behaviour of the crowd was "normal". The fans were identified to police by fellow spectators and they were fined and banned from attending sporting events for five months.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/4104067.stm|title=Two fined for Eto'o taunts|access-date=17 February 2008|date=17 December 2004|publisher=BBC}} Eto'o declared in the aftermath that the punishment was insufficient and that La Romareda, Real Zaragoza's stadium, should have been closed for at least one year. However, Eto'o's coach, Frank Rijkaard, told him to concentrate on football and to stop talking about the incident. Eto'o has stated that he does not take his children to football matches due to the prevalent racism{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6525401.stm|title=Eto'o keeps kids from racist fans|access-date=17 February 2008|date=4 April 2007|publisher=BBC}} and has also suggested that players walk off if they become victims of racism.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6262526.stm|title=Eto'o seeks racism walk-off|access-date=17 February 2008|date=7 May 2007|publisher=BBC}}

Many other African footballers have also been victims of racial abuse, such as the Cameroonian Carlos Kameni, who was abused while playing for Espanyol against Atlético Madrid, who were fined €6,000.

In January 2009, the Royal Spanish Football Federation fined Real Madrid approximately US$3,900 after a group of fans made fascist gestures and chanted fascist slogans at a match. Match referee Alfonso Pérez Burrull cited "extremist or radical symbolism", and chants making reference to "the gas chamber."{{cite web|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/9189866/Major-racist-incidents-in-European-soccer|title=Major racist incidents in European soccer|access-date=11 March 2009|date=6 February 2009|work=Fox Sports}}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

On 27 April 2014, Barcelona player Dani Alves was targeted by Villarreal fans, who threw a banana at him. Alves picked up the banana, peeled it, and took a bite.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27183851|title=Dani Alves: Barcelona defender eats banana after it lands on pitch|date=28 April 2014|access-date=29 April 2014|work=BBC Sport}} Teammate and also Brazilian player Neymar's response, to post a photograph of himself on social media also eating a banana, went viral.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-27191333|title=We are all monkeys|date=28 April 2014|access-date=29 April 2014|author=Bruno Garcez|work=BBC News}} Other footballers have also since taken photographs of themselves eating bananas.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27194672|title=Dani Alves: Barcelona player backed by banana-eating stars|date=28 April 2014|access-date=29 April 2014|work=BBC Sport}} Cyrille Regis, who had been racially abused while a player in the 1970s and '80s, expressed concern that the viral campaign would detract from the important issues of combating racism in the game.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27218472|title=Dani Alves: Keep focus on racism issue - Cyrille Regis|date=30 April 2014|access-date=30 April 2014|work=BBC Sport}} Alves said that whoever threw the banana at him should be publicly shamed,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27204824|title=Dani Alves says banana thrower should be publicly shamed|date=29 April 2014|access-date=29 April 2014|work=BBC Sport}} and on 30 April 2014, a man was arrested in connection with the incident.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27222240|title=Spanish police arrest Dani Alves banana thrower suspect|date=30 April 2014|access-date=30 April 2014|work=BBC News}} Villarreal were later fined €12,000 for the incident.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27316855|title=Dani Alves: Villarreal fined £9,850 for banana throw racism|date=7 May 2014|access-date=7 May 2014|work=BBC Sport}}

In early May 2014, Levante's Papakouli Diop complained of receiving racist abuse from opposition Atlético Madrid fans.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27279997|title=Atletico Madrid fans accused of racist chants by Levante's Diop|date=4 May 2014|access-date=5 May 2014|work=BBC News}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27278148|title=Senegal's Diop complains of racist abuse from Atletico fans|date=4 May 2014|access-date=5 May 2014|work=BBC News}}

Espanyol banned 12 supporters after they were identified as having subjected Athletic Bilbao player Iñaki Williams to racist abuse in a match in January 2020.{{Cite web|last=Lowe|first=Sid|date=28 January 2020|title=Espanyol bans 12 supporters|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/28/espanyol-to-ban-12-supporters-after-racist-abuse-of-athletics-inaki-williams|access-date=4 February 2021|website=The Guardian}}

On 4 April 2021, the players of Valencia left the pitch during a La Liga game against Cádiz after their player, Mouctar Diakhaby, was allegedly subjected to racist abuse.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56633404|title=Valencia leave pitch in racism protest|work=BBC Sport }}

In September 2022, Real Madrid player Vinícius Júnior was criticised on television for dancing whilst celebrating a goal; the player said that criticism, which compared him to a "monkey", was racist.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62938446|title=Vinicius Jr hits back at 'racist' celebration critic|work=BBC Sport }} Following this, some fans of Atlético Madrid were accused of singing racist songs about Vinícius,{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/sep/18/atletico-real-madrid-vinicius-junior-racist-abuse|title=Atlético Madrid fans' racist abuse of Vinícius Júnior overshadows Real win|date=18 September 2022|website=the Guardian}} which was condemned by La Liga.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62950158|title=La Liga condemns abuse of Real's Vinicius Jr|work=BBC Sport }} Vinícius later said that La Liga did not do anything about racists,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64136487|title=La Liga does nothing about racists - Vinicius Jr|work=BBC Sport }} a few days after which La Liga announced that they had filed charges against those accused.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64152366|title=La Liga files charges relating to Vinicius Jr abuse|work=BBC Sport}} In February 2023 it was revealed that nobody in Spain "has been sentenced or punished for a racist incident related to football".{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64597323|title=What can be done about racism in Spanish football?|work=BBC Sport }}

In January 2023, Vinícius was targeted when an effigy of him was hung outside Real Madrid's training ground.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64414425|title=Vinicius Jr effigy prompts condemnation in Spain|work=BBC Sport }} Three people were initially arrested,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65682450|title=Three held in Spain over Vinicius Jr racial abuse during match|date=23 May 2023|via=www.bbc.co.uk}} and eventually four men were later fined and banned from stadiums for their role.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65816425|title=Seven punished over racism towards Vinicius Jr|work=BBC Sport }}

In February 2023, Vinícius was racially abused by a Mallorca fan, who later received a suspended prison sentence.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cj9j38ydrp2o|title=Mallorca fan gets suspended prison sentence for racial abuse of Vinicius Jr|date=26 September 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

In May 2023, Real Madrid's game against Valencia was halted after Vinícius was racially abused.{{cite news |last=Young |first=Alex |date=22 May 2023 |title=Vinicius Jr: Valencia and police identify fan who racially abused Real Madrid forward |url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/vinicius-jr-valencia-police-identify-132121571.html |work=Evening Standard |location= |access-date=22 May 2023}} Three people were arrested in connection with the incident, after it was reported to the police as a hate crime.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65669712|title=Real report Vinicius Jr racist abuse as hate crime|work=BBC Sport }} Valencia received a fine and had their south stand closed for 5 games as punishment,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65691729|title=Valencia fined & given partial stadium closure|work=BBC Sport }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68445263|title=Ancelotti focused on football for Valencia return|date=1 March 2024|website=BBC Sport}} which was reduced to 2 games on appeal.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65731691|title=Valencia racist abuse punishment reduced on appeal|work=BBC Sport }}

Vinícius was also allegedly racially abused by Barcelona fans in October 2023 in an El Clasico match,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67252738|title=Barcelona to investigate racist abuse of Vinicius Jr|work=BBC Sport }} and by a child at a Valencia game in March 2024.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68464675|title=La Liga examines alleged racist abuse of Vinicius Jr|work=BBC Sport }} Vinícius had allegedly threatened not to play in the latter game after Real Madrid's social media posted a photo of him kissing the club badge above a logo showing men evolving from monkeys.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/39733942/real-madrid-instagram-post-upset-vinicius-junior-valencia |title=Real Madrid social post upset Vini Jr. before Valencia match |author= |date=14 March 2024 |website=ESPN |publisher= |access-date=15 March 2024 |quote=}} Following the same game, Valencia player Peter, on loan from Real Madrid, closed his social media accounts after suffering online racist abuse from Real Madrid fans.{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/deportes/futbol/2024-03-05/peter-federico-cuando-el-racismo-en-el-futbol-viaja-en-todas-las-direcciones.html |title=Peter Federico, cuando el racismo en el fútbol viaja en todas las direcciones |last=Miñana|first=Fernando|work=El País|date=4 March 2024 |access-date=4 March 2024 |language=es |trans-title=Peter Federico, when racism in football goes in all directions}}{{cite news |url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/valencia/2024/03/03/65e4eb24ca474114578b45a9.html |title=El Valencia defiende a Peter Federico de los insultos racistas tras jugar contra el Real Madrid |last=Picó|first=Diego|work=Marca|date=4 March 2024 |access-date=4 March 2024 |language=es |trans-title=Valencia defends Peter Federico against racist insults after playing against Real Madrid}}

In March 2024, Vinícius also suffered racist abuse in a match against Osasuna; Real Madrid complained after the referee did not include the incident in his match report.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68604392|title=Real complain as referee omits abuse of Vinicius Jr|work=BBC Sport }} He later said that the racism he encountered - including 10 incidents in the 2022–23 season - made him feel less like playing the sport.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68660177|title=Vinicius feels 'less like playing' over racist abuse|work=BBC Sport }} Journalist Marcus Alves later said that Vinícius was "leading football's fight against racism".{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68759573|title='I've never seen a player persecuted like Vinicius'|work=BBC Sport }}

In March 2024, Sevilla players and coaches, including player Marcos Acuna and manager Quique Sanchez Flores, suffered racist abuse in a match against Getafe.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68700554|title=Sevilla condemn racist abuse of Acuna|work=BBC Sport }}

In April 2024, player Cheikh Kane Sarr was banned for two matches after confronting an opposition fan who racially abused him.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68725343|title=Player banned for confronting fan over abuse in Spain|work=BBC Sport }} Sarr later spoke out in support of Vinícius,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/68778991|title=Vinicius Jr 'can't fight racism alone' in Spain, says African keeper|work=BBC Sport |date=15 April 2024}} whilst Jude Bellingham said authorities needed to do more to deal with racism.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68830381|title=Authorities 'need to do more' on racism - Bellingham|work=BBC Sport }}

Later that month, Barcelona were fine following racist behaviour from fans in a match against Paris-SG,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68843476|title=Barcelona fined over fans' racism away to PSG|work=BBC Sport }} whilst Nico Williams accused Atletico Madrid fans of racially abusing him.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68913729|title=Nico Williams accuses Atletico fans of racist abuse|work=BBC Sport }}

In June 2024, after three fans who abused him were jailed, Vinícius said he was the "tormentor of racists".{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c977plv56d9o|title=I'm a tormentor of racists - Vinicius Jr on jailed abusers|date=10 June 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

In August 2024, Vinícius said his Real Madrid teammates would walk off the pitch if subjected to racism.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cm2nypj276vo|title=Vinicius Jr: Real Madrid forward says team will walk off if they face racism|date=28 August 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

In September 2024, following racism from Barcelona fans in a match against French club Monaco, the club was subject to a ticket ban.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c9wk1jgn15lo|title=Barcelona hit with Champions League ticket ban over supporter racism|date=27 September 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

In October 2024, Barcelona player Lamine Yamal was racially abused by Real Madrid fans.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cdxyywepw6yo|title=Lamine Yamal: Real Madrid investigate racist abuse of Barcelona forward|date=27 October 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

In November 2024, a minor who admitted racially abusing Vinícius received a ban.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cze3egnk97yo|title=Vinicius Junior: Minor who racially abused Real Madrid forward banned, says club|date=29 November 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

In January 2025, Barcelona player Alejandro Balde was racially abused by Getafe fans.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cd0jgdnedryt|title=Getafa 1-1 Barcelona: Barca let lead slip to draw with La Liga strugglers|website=BBC Sport}}

{{See also|Racism in Sweden|Football in Sweden}}

In 2009, fans of Swedish football team IFK Göteborg abused supporters of rivals Malmö FF by referring to them as "Rosengårdstattare" ("Rosengård gypsies"), in a racist reference to the large immigrant population of Malmö.{{cite web |author=Av Lars Johansson 26 FEBRUARI 18.00 |url=http://www.skanskan.se/article/20100226/MALMO/702269901/1057/*/supporter-hetsade-fore-fotbollsmatch |title=Malmö — Skånskan.se |publisher=Skanskan.se |date=15 March 2010 |access-date=19 March 2010 |archive-date=1 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701231150/http://www.skanskan.se/article/20100226/MALMO/702269901/1057/*/supporter-hetsade-fore-fotbollsmatch |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.anglarna.se/nyheter/artiklar/2264-qrosengardstattareq-en-omistlig-del-av-var-laektarrepertoar |title=Änglarna.se - "Rosengårdstattare" - en omistlig del av vår läktarrepertoar? |publisher=Anglarna.se |date=18 October 2009 |access-date=19 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110053348/http://www.anglarna.se/nyheter/artiklar/2264-qrosengardstattareq-en-omistlig-del-av-var-laektarrepertoar |archive-date=10 January 2010 }} Also, fans of Helsingborgs IF have been known to yell monkey chants at opposing dark-skinned players.{{cite web|url=http://www.expressen.se/1.430395 |title=Rasistattack mot Blåvitts stjärna — Nyheter — Senaste nytt | Expressen — Nyheter Sport Ekonomi Nöje |publisher=Expressen.se |access-date=19 March 2010}}

In June 2018, the Swedish National Team posted a Youtube video of player Jimmy Durmaz making a statement against racism in football. Durmaz stated that online he has been called "darkie, bloody Arab, terrorist, Taliban."{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/world-cup-swedish-squad-declares-f-racism-video-supporting-soccer-player-1123002|title=World Cup: Swedish Squad Declares "F*** Racism" in Video Supporting Soccer Player|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=16 October 2018|language=en}} In the video, Durmaz talks about his family and how they have also been targets of racism. At the end, Durmaz says "vi är eniga, vi är sverige, knulla rasism”, which translates to "We are United, We are Sweden, F**k Racism".{{Citation|last=Guardian Football|title=Sweden midfielder Jimmy Durmaz makes powerful statement against racism after abuse|date=24 June 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f55dcJZDhAc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/f55dcJZDhAc |archive-date=13 December 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=16 October 2018}}{{cbignore}}

{{See also|Racism in Switzerland|Football in Switzerland}}

Fwayo Tembo left Basel after he accused club coach Thorsten Fink of making racist remarks towards him during a training session. Fink is reported to have told a collaborator to "get the monkey down from the tree".{{cite web|url=http://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/fotbalistul-dorit-de-becali-a-regresat-in-cariera-dupa-ce-a-fost-victima-rasismului-jos-cu-maimuta-din-copac-364947.html|title=Fotbalistul dorit de Becali a regresat în carieră după ce a fost victima rasismului: "Jos cu maimuţa din copac!"|publisher=Gazeta Sporturilor|work=gsp.ro|access-date=9 October 2012|language=ro}}

{{See also|Racism in Turkey|Football in Turkey}}

On 15 April 2012, Fenerbahçe's Emre Belözoğlu was accused of making racist comments on the pitch towards Trabzonspor's Didier Zokora. After the match, Zokora told Lig TV:

{{blockquote | Emre and I came face to face during the match. I'll tell you what he said word for word. He called me: 'A fucking nigger'. This is the first time in my life something like this has happened to me. Emre has Africans like Yobo and Sow as team-mates – I can't understand why he'd say such a thing. We're trying to get on with our jobs. What does the colour of our skin matter? Fans, FIFA, the press are all against racist statements. I hope something like this doesn't go unpunished.{{cite news| date = 15 April 2012| url = http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3868/main/2012/04/16/3038805/trabzonspors-zokora-accuses-emre-of-racist-slur| title = Trabzonspor's Zokora accuses Emre of racist slur| work = goal.com| access-date =15 April 2012 |quote = "Emre and I came face to face during the match. I'll tell you what he said word for word. He called me: 'A fucking nigger'," Zokora told Lig TV after the match.| location=London}}}}

Lip-reading professionals say Belözoğlu has said the words "fucking nigger". Emre received a two-game ban for his actions after it was concluded that he had used abusive, but not racist, language by the authorities. There are still questions about the low ban he received.{{cite web|url=http://www.turkspor.net/detay.asp?id=68061|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505020943/http://www.turkspor.net/detay.asp?id=68061|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2014|title=TFF HUKUK KURULU AĞIZ OKUMUŞ ve EMRE'nin "Sİ...MİN ZENCİSİ" DEDİĞİNİ TESBİT ETMİŞ.. SADECE O MU, DAHA DA FAZLASI VAR...|work=Turkspor.net|access-date=24 September 2014}}

On 12 May 2013, before the match between Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray, Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba, along with his Ivorian international teammate Emmanuel Eboué, were racially abused by certain Fenerbahçe fans during the pre-match warmups. They were allegedly shown bananas. Television cameras and some pictures clearly captured a fan waving around a banana, other fans had black trash bags on their heads and were pictured holding the brand of the beverage "Negro". Though there were no monkey chants or gestures of that sort, the "banana" caused a huge controversy and Fenerbahce has been condemned. This was the second ever known racism incident in Turkey, again involving Fenerbahçe following the events that took place between Belözoğlu and Zokora in 2012.{{cite web |url=http://soccerwithoutlimits.com/racism-strikes-in-turkey-as-former-chelesa-man-didier-drogba-abused/26511/ |title=Racism Strikes in Turkey as Former Chelesa Man Didier Drogba Abused |publisher=Soccer Without Limits |date=12 May 2013 |access-date=16 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622223606/http://soccerwithoutlimits.com/racism-strikes-in-turkey-as-former-chelesa-man-didier-drogba-abused/26511 |archive-date=22 June 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.fanatik.com.tr/sindirim-sistemim-bozuk_3_Detail_34_312581.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130706143619/http://www.fanatik.com.tr/sindirim-sistemim-bozuk_3_Detail_34_312581.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 July 2013 |title=Sindirim sistemim bozuk |publisher=Fanatik.com.tr |date=16 May 2013 |access-date=16 May 2013 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22527009 |title=Galatasaray: Didier Drogba questions racists who abused him |work=BBC Sport |date=14 May 2013 }}

In February 2025, Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho was accused of racism by Galatasaray due to comments made about Turkish referees following a match between the clubs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4g037jl80ko|title=Jose Mourinho: Galatasaray accuse Portuguese of making 'racist statements'|date=25 February 2025|website=BBC Sport}} Mourinho later received a four-match ban for his comments,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crmjjdy4e4jo|title=Jose Mourinho: Fenerbahce coach given four-match ban for comments after Istanbul derby|date=27 February 2025|website=BBC Sport}} which was reduced to a two-match ban on appeal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c7983xvj5z5o|title=Jose Mourinho: Fenerbahce boss has four-match suspension halved|date=1 March 2025|website=BBC Sport}} Mourinho also filed a legal claim against Galatasaray.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cjry7dj9v2po|title=Jose Mourinho: Fenerbahce manager files lawsuit against Galatasaray after Istanbul derby|date=28 February 2025|website=BBC Sport}}

{{See also|Racism in the United Kingdom|Football in the United Kingdom}}

In March 2024, British Asian football fans spoke out about the racism they experience on social media.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-68085784|title=Online hate: South Asian fans on facing 'firing squad of racist abuse'|date=1 March 2024|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}

{{See also|Racism in English football}}

{{See also|Racism in Scotland|Football in Scotland}}

Andrew Watson was the first black football player to represent Scotland. Watson never turned professional, however, so Arthur Wharton is sometimes reported as being the first black British footballer.{{cite web|url=http://www.furd.org/default.asp?intPageID=24|title=Pioneering Black footballers|access-date=17 February 2008|publisher=Football Unites, Racism Divides|archive-date=13 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013115618/http://furd.org/default.asp?intPageID=24|url-status=dead}}

The book Race, Sport and British Society says there was racist abuse of Celtic player Paul Wilson by Rangers fans in the 1970s: "Rangers fans repeatedly bayed 'Wilson's a Paki' when Celtic played Rangers."Ben Carrington and Ian McDonald [https://books.google.com/books?id=QakNM78bmm4C] (p.40) There have been reports that some Rangers fans used to sing "I'd rather be a darkie than a Tim",{{cite web |author=7.23.04 @ 12:01AM |url=http://spectator.org/archives/2004/07/23/waco-wars/1 |title=The American Spectator : Waco Wars |publisher=Spectator.org |access-date=19 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929000232/http://spectator.org/archives/2004/07/23/waco-wars/1 |archive-date=29 September 2011 }}Race, Sport and British Society by Ben Carrington and Ian McDonald, p. 40{{cite book|author1=Adrian Smith|author2=Dilwyn Porter|title=Sport and National Identity in the Post-war World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yZfYh7n2qTMC|year=2004|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-0-415-28301-4|page=83}} with "Tim" referring to a Celtic fan. The book Sport and National Identity in the Post-War World states, "black players in Scotland were greeted with bananas thrown from the crowd and a barrage of 'monkey grunts', notably Mark Walters of Rangers and Paul Elliott of Celtic." On 2 January 1988, Rangers winger Mark Walters made his debut in the Old Firm derby match at Celtic Park. Rangers lost 2–0 and Walters was subjected to racist abuse from opposing Celtic fans, who were caught on camera chanting like monkeys, throwing fruit (mostly bananas), onto the pitch and dressing in monkey costumes.{{cite news|last=Smith |first=Andrew |url=http://news.scotsman.com/tacklingracisminscotland/A-black-day-for-Scots.3628273.jp |title=A black day for Scots football |work=News.scotsman.com |date= 30 December 2007|access-date=19 March 2010 |location=Edinburgh}} It was reported that Rangers fans used "implicit racism" on the same day by singing "I'd rather be a darkie than a Tim". Although Celtic denounced the perpetrators, the Scottish Football Association (SFA) remained silent.{{cite news| author= Andrew Smith — The Scotsman | url= http://news.scotsman.com/tacklingracisminscotland/A-black-day-for-Scots.3628273.jp | title=A Black Day For Scottish Football | work=The Scotsman|date=December 2007 | access-date=6 July 2008 | location=Edinburgh}} According to Walters, he experienced worse racial abuse in Edinburgh against Hearts. Following racist abuse aimed at Walters, Rangers banned some of their own season ticket holders.{{cite web |author=Sir Norman Chester Centre for Football Research |url=http://www.le.ac.uk/snccfr/resources/factsheets/fs4.html |title=Black Footballers in Britain — The Late 1980s and After — A 'New Era'? |publisher=University of Leicester |date=June 2002 |access-date=6 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728140834/http://www.le.ac.uk/snccfr/resources/factsheets/fs4.html |archive-date=28 July 2010 }} Andrew Smith from The Scotsman newspaper stated, "It is depressing to think that enforcement as much as enlightenment might account for Walters being the only black footballer in this country to have had bananas thrown at them."

Rangers captain Lorenzo Amoruso issued a public apology after a match in December 1999 for making racist comments against Borussia Dortmund's Nigerian striker Victor Ikpeba.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-amoruso-apologises-for-racist-remarks-to-ikpeba-1131511.html |title=Football: Amoruso apologises for racist remarks to Ikpeba — Sport |work=The Independent |date=10 December 1999 |access-date=19 March 2010 | location=London | first=Ken | last=Gaunt}} In March 2003, Rangers fans were accused of racially abusing Bobo Baldé and Mohammed Sylla.{{cite web |url=http://www.kickitout.org/news.php/news_id/2319 |title=Latest News |publisher=Kickitout.org |date=25 April 2002 |access-date=19 March 2010 |archive-date=14 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414082158/http://www.kickitout.org/news.php/news_id/2319 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|last=Irvine |first=Neil |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2397771/Rangers-to-get-rid-of-racist-fans.html |title=Rangers to get rid of racist fans |work=Telegraph |date=11 March 2003 |access-date=19 March 2010 | location=London}}{{cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article883171.ece | location=London | work=The Times | first1=Matthew | last1=Knowles | first2=Douglas | last2=Alexander | title=SFA to appoint racism officer | date=24 August 2003}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/mar/10/newsstory.sport6 |title=Rangers to root out racists |work=The Guardian |date=10 March 2003 |access-date=19 March 2010 | location=London}} Rangers Chairman John McClelland stated that, "There was such a crescendo during Saturday's match although I thought I heard noises of this kind I can't be 100% sure." In May 2004, Marvin Andrews condemned racism from some Rangers fans.{{cite web |url=http://www.kickitout.org/news.php/news_id/1379 |title=Latest News |publisher=Kickitout.org |date=12 May 2004 |access-date=19 March 2010 |archive-date=29 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929033504/http://www.kickitout.org/news.php/news_id/1379 |url-status=dead }}

In November 2004, then-manager of Celtic Martin O'Neill suggested Neil Lennon was the subject of chants of a "racial and sectarian manner".{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4036879.stm | work=BBC News | title=Celtic invited to make complaint | date=24 November 2004}}

During a 2007 Scottish Cup tie, St Johnstone player Jason Scotland was the target of racist taunts by a handful of Motherwell fans. The offenders were promptly reprimanded by the spectators around them and were reported to police and match stewards.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/st_johnstone/6407259.stm|title=Scotland disappointed at racism|access-date=17 February 2008|date=1 March 2007|publisher=BBC}} Motherwell Chairman John Boyle later issued an apology on behalf of the club.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/motherwell/6407937.stm|title=Motherwell apologise for racism|access-date=17 February 2008|date=1 March 2007|publisher=BBC}} Motherwell were to court further controversy on 3 September 2007 when Laryea Kingston of Hearts was abused, although Motherwell refuted the claims.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/motherwell/6977160.stm|title=SPL seek reply to racism claims|access-date=17 February 2008|date=6 September 2007|publisher=BBC}}

In October 2009, Rangers player Maurice Edu said he was racially abused by some Rangers fans while leaving Ibrox after a UEFA Champions League defeat by Romanian club Unirea Urziceni. Edu wrote on Twitter, "Not sure what hurt more: result or being racially abused by couple of our own fans as I'm getting in my car."

Three Scottish judges ruled in June 2009 that "The Famine Song" is racist because it targets people of Irish origin.{{cite web|url=http://sport.stv.tv/football/103590-court-rules-famine-song-is-racist/|title=Court Rules Famine Song is Racist|work=stv|date=June 2009|access-date=4 August 2009|archive-date=30 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630082759/http://sport.stv.tv/football/103590-court-rules-famine-song-is-racist/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8109359.stm|title=Judges brand Famine Song 'racist'|work=BBC|date=June 2009|access-date=7 August 2009}} George Peat, president of the SFA, has suggested that the song causes embarrassment for Scottish football and should be stamped out.{{cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article5026958.ece | location=London | work=The Times | first=Graham | last=Spiers | title=SFA president warns Rangers over Famine Song | date=28 October 2008}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Peat has also stated that the SFA is determined to contribute to the eradication of offensive songs from Scottish football.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/7693166.stm|title=SFA vows to tackle 'Famine song'|date=27 October 2008|via=news.bbc.co.uk}} In November 2008, a Rangers fan was found guilty of a breach of the peace (aggravated by religious and racial prejudice) for singing "The Famine Song" during a game against Kilmarnock.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/kilmarnock-news|title=Kilmarnock News - Latest news updates, pictures, video, reaction - Daily Record|website=www.dailyrecord.co.uk|date=27 March 2024 }} It was widely reported after an Old Firm game in February 2009, Rangers fans had sung "The Famine Song" at Celtic Park.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/7894854.stm|title=Rangers may face SPL chant probe|date=17 February 2009|via=news.bbc.co.uk}} The Famine Song was also sung in March 2011 at a Scottish football game by Rangers fans,{{cite news| url=http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/jmacmillan/100052373/is-it-now-officially-OK-to-sing-anti-irish-anti-catholic-hate-songs-in-scottishs-football-stadiums/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401104628/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/jmacmillan/100052373/is-it-now-officially-ok-to-sing-anti-irish-anti-catholic-hate-songs-in-scottishs-football-stadiums/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=1 April 2011 | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | title=Is it now officially OK to sing anti-Irish, anti-Catholic hate songs in Scottish football stadiums? | date=29 March 2011}}{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/herald-letters/why-the-fans-who-sing-songs-of-hate-are-committing-an-offence-1.1093147 |title=Why the fans who sing songs of hate are committing an offence |newspaper=Herald Scotland |date=29 March 2011 |access-date=3 June 2012}} nevertheless, Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill described the match as a "great advert for Scottish football".

{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2011/03/26/church-set-to-prepare-hate-song-dossier-as-fans-claim-cops-allowed-sectarianism-at-hampden-86908-23017130/ |title=Church to create 'hate song' dossier as fans claim cops allowed sectarianism at Hampden |newspaper=The Daily Record |access-date=3 June 2012}}

The Herald journalist Doug Gillon has written that "the sectarian intolerance which divides Scottish society [...] is rooted in anti-Irish racism".{{cite web |author=Doug Gillon |url=http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.2488389.0.Friendly_timing_could_not_be_worse_as_Spain_try_to_cast_off_racism_shame.php |title=Friendly timing could not be worse as Spain try to cast off racism shame |work=The Herald|date=11 February 2009 |access-date=19 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090525035031/http://theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.2488389.0.Friendly_timing_could_not_be_worse_as_Spain_try_to_cast_off_racism_shame.php |archive-date=25 May 2009 }}

In February 2011, in an Old Firm match at Celtic Park, a Celtic supporter was caught mocking black Rangers player El Hadji Diouf with monkey noises and gestures as he was about to take a corner kick.{{cite news|author=Stephen Houston |title=Shame of Race Yob |work=News of the World |date=27 February 2011 }}

In April 2011, then-manager of Celtic Neil Lennon received an explosive device in the post. Brian McNally described this as due to "anti-Catholic and anti-Irish racism".{{cite web|url=http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Brian-McNally-on-Celtic-Neil-Lennon-letterbombs-Why-ALL-football-fans-must-unite-against-football-terrorism-growing-out-of-sectarian-divides-in-Scotland-article726550.html |title=Brian McNally on Celtic Neil Lennon letterbombs Why ALL football fans must unite against football terrorism growing out of sectarian divides in Scotland - Mirror Football Blog |publisher=MirrorFootball.co.uk |access-date=3 June 2012}} A number of high-profile Celtic fans also were sent suspected explosive devices. Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party Annabel Goldie MSP described bullets sent to Neil Lennon and a number of Celtic players as "racism and sectarianism".{{cite news|url=http://www.scottishconservatives.com/news/news/annabel-goldie-shows-racism-the-red-card/887 |title=Annabel Goldie shows racism the red card |work=Scottish Conservatives |date=January 2011 |access-date=27 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928180537/http://www.scottishconservatives.com/news/news/annabel-goldie-shows-racism-the-red-card/887 |archive-date=28 September 2011 }} After an attempted assault on Neil Lennon at Hearts' Tynecastle Stadium, a motion against anti-Irish racism was lodged in the Scottish Parliament.{{cite web|url=http://www.glasgowsnp.org/MSPs/Bob_Doris_MSP/Doris_leads_Parliament_in_support_of_Neil_Lennon/ |title=Scottish Independence - Doris leads Parliament in support of Neil Lennon |publisher=Glasgow SNP |date=12 May 2011 |access-date=3 June 2012}}

In October 2014, Celtic player Aleksandar Tonev received a seven-match ban for racially abusing an opponent.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29197915|title=SFA to assess Logan's allegation of Tonev racist slur|work=BBC Sport |date=15 September 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29285903|title=Celtic: Aleksandar Tonev charged over alleged racism|work=BBC Sport |date=19 September 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29374885|title=Celtic's Aleksandar Tonev given seven-game ban for racist abuse|work=BBC Sport |date=30 October 2014}}

In November 2018 Dennon Lewis spoke out about the racist abuse he has received from his club's (Falkirk's) own fans.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46372631|title=Falkirk's Dennon Lewis: 'Disgusting' racist abuse 'is a line crossed'|work=BBC Sport }}

In October 2019 Rangers player Alfredo Morelos was allegedly racially abused by Hearts fans during a match between the two sides.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50117848|title=Alfredo Morelos: Hearts investigate claims of racism towards Rangers striker|work=BBC Sport |date=20 October 2019}} Later that month Celtic manager Neil Lennon described racism in the sport as a "stain" and that players needed to be protected.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50158438|title=Neil Lennon: Celtic boss says players must be protected from racism|work=BBC Sport |date=23 October 2019}} In February 2020, a 12-year-old boy was charged with racist abuse aimed at Morelos.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-51449162|title=Boy, 12, charged over Morelos racist chants|work=BBC News |date=10 February 2020}}

Kilmarnock received a letter in December 2020 after a Boxing Day defeat, which contained racist abuse aimed at manager Alex Dyer.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=28 December 2020|title=Kilmarnock condemn racist abuse|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/28/kilmarnock-condemn-racist-abuse-after-letter-sent-to-manager-alex-dyer|access-date=4 February 2021|website=The Guardian}} In January 2021, Dundee striker Jonathan Afolabi received racist messages following a victory in the Scottish Cup second round, which Dundee “utterly condemn”.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=10 January 2021|title=Dundee condemn racist messages|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55605817|access-date=4 February 2021|website=BBC Sport}}

During a Europa League game between Rangers and Slavia Prague on 18 March 2021, Rangers manager Steven Gerrard claimed that Glen Kamara was racially abused by Ondřej Kúdela and called for UEFA to take action.{{Cite web|last=Halliday|first=Stephen|date=18 March 2021|title=Rangers boss Steven Gerrard backs Glen Kamara racism claims and calls for UEFA action|url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/rangers/rangers-boss-steven-gerrard-backs-glen-kamara-racism-claims-and-calls-for-uefa-action-3171198|access-date=19 March 2021|website=The Scotsman}} However, Slavia Prague denied the accusation of racism, instead stating that Kúdela was assaulted by Kamara.{{Cite web|title=Club statement – Slavia denied allegations of racism|url=https://en.slavia.cz/clanek.asp?id=Club-statement-Slavia-denies-allegations-of-racism-807|access-date=19 March 2021|website=SK Slavia Praha}} In a related incident, Rangers forward Kemar Roofe was subjected to racist abuse on Instagram after getting sent off during that match.{{Cite web|date=19 March 2021|title=Kemar Roofe racially abused on Instagram after sending off against Slavia Prague|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12250207/rangers-kemar-roofe-racially-abused-on-instagram-after-sending-off-against-slavia-prague|access-date=19 March 2021|website=Sky Sports}}

In October 2021, Dundee United player Jeando Fuchs was allegedly racially abused by a Ross County fan during a match.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58776469|title=United looking into alleged fan comment|work=BBC Sport }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58794346|title=Dundee United submit Fuchs evidence|work=BBC Sport }}

In October 2022, Hibernian player Jair Tavares was allegedly racially abused during a match against Dundee United.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63227392|title=Dundee United investigate alleged racist remark|work=BBC Sport }}

In October 2023, Hibernian player Allan Delferriere was allegedly racially abused during a match against Ross County.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67283289|title=Hibs condemn 'racist comment' towards Delferriere|work=BBC Sport }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenational.scot/sport/23893783.hibs-condemn-abhorrent-racist-comment-towards-delferriere/|title=Hibs condemn 'abhorrent' racist comment towards Allan Delferrière|date=1 November 2023|website=The National}}

St Johnstone player Diallang Jaiyesimi was sent off during a match against Rangers on 20 December 2023, later suffering racist abuse on social media.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67782989|title=St Johnstone 'appalled' by racist abuse of Jaiyesimi|date=21 December 2023|website=BBC Sport}}

In January 2025, Ross County goalkeeper Jordan Amissah was allegedly racially abused in a match away at Aberdeen.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gp56dy5p5o|title=Ross County investigate racial abuse of goalkeeper Jordan Amissah|date=3 January 2025|website=BBC News}}

On 10 February 2021, Swansea City midfielder Yan Dhanda who is of British Asian background, was racially abused on social media following Swansea’s defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup. The incident was passed to South Wales Police for investigation.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56020410|title=Swans and Man City condemn abuse of Dhanda|work=BBC Sport }} On 27 March 2021, following Wales’ 1-0 win against Mexico, players Ben Cabango and Rabbi Matondo were subjected to racist abuse on social media.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56555396|title=Ben Cabango and Rabbi Matondo racially abused on social media after Wales win|work=BBC Sport |date=28 March 2021|access-date=28 March 2021}} Fellow Wales player, Gareth Bale said he would join a boycott of social media if more could not be done to combat racism across their platforms. Thierry Henry said he is removing himself from social media because of racism and social injustice.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56566811|title= Gareth Bale: Wales and Spurs star would join social media boycott to fight abuse|date=29 March 2021|access-date=29 March 2021|website=BBC Sport}} On 8 April 2021, Swansea City announced a week-long boycott of all social media platforms by first team members and by the academy and women's teams, staff of the club and from the club's official accounts.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56672882|title=Swansea announce social media boycott|work=BBC Sport }}

In 2023, Cardiff City player Rohan Luthra was racially abused by teammate Jack Simpson, who later left the club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/appalling-details-jack-simpsons-racist-28122163|title=Appalling details of Jack Simpson's racist slur at Cardiff City breakfast table|first=Jon|last=Doel|date=17 November 2023|website=Wales Online}}

In April 2024, fans of Welsh club Merthyr Town, who play in the English league system, were accused of racially abusing an opposition Hungerford Town player.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68711174|title=Merthyr Town probe alleged racist abuse by crowd|work=BBC Sport }}

{{See also|Racism in Ukraine|Football in Ukraine}}

In March 2019, English club Chelsea complained about alleged racism aimed at their player Callum Hudson-Odoi during a match against Dynamo Kyiv.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47613848|title=Chelsea complain about racial abuse of Callum Hudson-Odoi at Dynamo Kiev|work=BBC Sport |date=18 March 2019}} Later that month UEFA said they would investigate.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47706875|title=Callum Hudson-Odoi: Uefa investigate racism case during Chelsea game|work=BBC Sport |date=26 March 2019|access-date=26 March 2019}} He was later offered counselling.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47723197|title=Callum Hudson-Odoi: Chelsea offer winger counselling after racist abuse|work=BBC Sport |date=27 March 2019}}

In November 2019 Shakhtar Donetsk player Taison was sent-off after reacting to alleged racist abuse,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50369594|title=Shakhtar Donetsk's Taison sent off after reacting to alleged racism|work=BBC Sport |date=10 November 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50372465|title=Taison: Shakhtar's Brazil midfielder after sending-off following alleged racist abuse|work=BBC Sport |date=11 November 2019}} and was also given a one-match ban.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50508069|title=Shakhtar Donetsk's Taison given one-match ban after reacting to alleged racism|work=BBC Sport |date=21 November 2019}}

{{See also|Racism in the Middle East}}

{{See also|Racism in Israel|Football in Israel|La Familia (Beitar supporters' group)}}

{{expand section|Beitar Jerusalem|date=January 2012}}

Racist incidents date back to at least the 1970s, such as when Arab-Israeli player Jimmy Turk joined Hapoel Tel Aviv. Turk was subjected to anti-Arab abuse during nearly every game he played.{{cite news|title=England and Israel join for anti-racism football campaign |url=http://www.ejpress.org/article/in_depth/world_cup/6624 |work=European Jewish Press |date=7 March 2006 |access-date=5 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120054813/http://www.ejpress.org/article/in_depth/world_cup/6624 |archive-date=20 November 2008 }} According to Itzik Shanan, director of communications at the New Israel Fund, among most racist fans are supporters of Beitar Jerusalem, also Hapoel Tel Aviv fans have been using slogans promoting a Holocaust against Maccabi Tel Aviv.{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Zalen |title=Israel joins fight against soccer racism |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1161811247484&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=1 November 2006 |access-date=5 August 2008 }}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Israeli right-wing football supporters taunt Arab players during games, especially those who play for the mixed Arab-Jewish team Bnei Sakhnin. Ronny Rosenthal, playing for Israel's Maccabi Haifa in 1989, was subjected to anti-Semitic taunts.{{cite web |url=http://www.kickitout.org/232.php |title=Racism in European football |access-date=5 August 2008 |publisher=Kick It Out |archive-date=10 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610134444/http://www.kickitout.org/232.php |url-status=dead }}

Under Israeli law, football fans can be prosecuted for incitement of racial hatred. The "New Voices from the Stadium" program, run by the New Israel Fund (NIF) amasses a "racism index" that is reported to the media on a weekly basis, and teams have been fined and punished for the conduct of their fans. According to Steve Rothman, the NIF San Francisco director, "Things have definitely improved, particularly in sensitizing people to the existence of racism in Israeli society."[http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/34880/a-noble-goal-can-israel-give-soccer-racism-the-boot/ A noble goal: Can Israel give soccer racism the boot?], by Joe Eskenazi, JWeekly In 2006, Israel joined Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE), a network set up to counter racism in football.[http://www.jpost.com/home/article.aspx?id=39740 Israel joins fight against soccer racism], by MATT ZALEN, Jerusalem Post

French police have opened an investigation into possible antisemitic gestures and banners during the 2024 Summer Olympics Group D football match between Israel and Paraguay.{{cite news |date=31 July 2024 |title=Investigation into alleged antisemitism at Olympic football match |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv2gy51v03mo |access-date=1 August 2024 |work=BBC}}{{cite news |last=Liakos |first=Chris |date=30 July 2024 |title=French officials investigating antisemitism at Olympic soccer match |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/30/sport/olympics-investigation-soccer-antisemitic-incident-intl/index.html |access-date=1 August 2024 |work=CNN}}

In June 2023 a friendly match held in Austria between Kuwait U22 and Republic of Ireland U21 was abandoned after an Irish player was apparently racially abused by a Kuwaiti player.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65955793|title=Two matches abandoned after alleged racist abuse|work=BBC Sport }}

In June 2023 a friendly match held in Austria between Qatar and New Zealand was abandoned after New Zealand player Michael Boxall said he was racially abused by a Qatari player.

A scandal took place during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers surrounding the match between Syria and Iran. The match was held in Kuala Lumpur during Monsoon season, making the match much more difficult and ending in a 0-0 tie. Iran then accused Syria of 'fixing' the game to prevent Iran from advancing to the World Cup. This event shows the underlying racial tension between Syria and Iran and exemplifies how racial discrimination works its way into the sport.{{Cite news|url=https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/blog/2016/11/28/conspiracy-and-heartbreak-this-week-in-middle-east-football|title=Conspiracy and heartbreak: This week in Middle East football|last=Levy|first=Uri|work=alaraby|access-date=24 April 2017|language=en}}

{{See also|Racism in Australia|Association football in Australia}}

At a 1994 match in Melbourne between the Croatian community supported Melbourne Knights and the Greek community supported South Melbourne, many ethnic slurs were exchanged between the two sets of supporters.{{cite web|url=https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll10|title=CONTENTdm|website=digital.la84.org}}

In October 2022 fans of Sydney United 58 allegedly made Nazi salutes during the Australia Cup final and also caught booing and insulting the Welcome to Country ceremony performed by Indigenous Australians prior to the match.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63114667|title=Fans of Sydney United 58 condemned for Nazi salutes|work=BBC Sport }} One fan received a lifetime ban.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63141611|title=Australia Cup fan banned for 'fascist salute'|work=BBC Sport }}

In July 2021, the German Olympic team walked off the pitch in a friendly match against Honduras due to alleged racist abuse aimed at German player Jordan Torunarigha.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/57873819|title=Germany walk off after alleged racism|work=BBC Sport }}

{{See also|Racism in North America}}

After a tackle of Canadian player Moïse Bombito against Lionel Messi in Canada's opening match at the 2024 Copa America, the former was bombarded with offensive comments and monkey imagery online. The Canadian Soccer Federation and CONCACAF condemned the incident.{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10580842/canadian-soccer-player-racial-abuse-copa-america/|title=Canadian soccer player racially abused online after 2-0 Copa America loss to Argentina | Globalnews.ca|website=Global News}}

{{See also|Football in Mexico}}

In the first day of the Apertura 2006 tournament, fans of Santos Laguna made guttural sounds imitating a chimpanzee against the Panamanian player Felipe Baloy of Monterrey as he scored a goal. During the game, Santos Laguna's fans had also chanted other racial slurs towards Baloy, including "chango" ("monkey") and "come platano" ("banana eater").{{cite web |url=http://www.mediotiempo.com/noticia.php?id_noticia=23981 |title=Medio Tiempo, la casa del futbol en Prodigy MSN |publisher=Mediotiempo.com |access-date=3 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070629003126/http://www.mediotiempo.com/noticia.php?id_noticia=23981 |archive-date=29 June 2007 }} The disciplinary commission of the Mexican Football Federation sanctioned the Santos club to a sum equivalent of 5,600 days of league minimum wage for the racist insults.{{cite web|author=David Sasaki |url=http://globalvoicesonline.org/2006/08/22/racism-in-mexican-football/ |title=Racism in Mexican Football |publisher=Global Voices Online |date=22 August 2006 |access-date=19 March 2010}}

The racism went past the field in 2014 when Mexican politician, Carlos Trevino, called Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho an ape after he signed with a team in the Mexican league. He was quoted saying "I detest it all the more because people obstruct and flood the main avenues, causing me to spend two hours getting home … and all to see AN APE … A Brazilian, but an ape nonetheless. This has become a ridiculous circus." These outbursts were the reason why the Brazilian legend left the Mexican league after only one season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/15/mexican-politician-ronaldinho-social-media|title=Mexican politician causes outrage after racist post about Ronaldinho|last=Tuckman|first=Jo|date=15 September 2014|work=The Guardian|access-date=24 April 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}

In 2022, the Afro-Honduran player Carlos Fernandez decided to retire from Venados FC of the MX Expansion League, citing suffering from acts of racism by a teammate.{{Cite web |title=Carlos "Muma" Fernández rescindió con Venados de México tras 4 partidos: ¿sufrió racismo? |url=https://futbolcentroamerica.com/honduras/Carlos-Muma-Fernandez-rescindio-con-Venados-de-Mexico-tras-4-partidos-sufrio-racismo-20220128-0005.html |access-date=25 January 2023 |website=Fútbol Centroamérica |date=28 January 2022 |language=es-ES}}

{{See also|Racism in the United States|Soccer in the United States}}

Overt displays of racism at U.S. soccer matches are extremely rare compared to the EU and Russia, in part, because the fan base of soccer in the U.S. is ethnically diverse and much younger.{{Cite web|url=https://the18.com/news/how-diverse-soccer-united-states-really|title=How Diverse Is Soccer in the United States, Really?|website=The18}} However, during a 24 May 2008 Major League Soccer (MLS) game between the Columbus Crew and the New England Revolution, Revolution forward Kheli Dube (originally from Zimbabwe) scored a goal against the Crew in the 89th minute of the game. An unidentified fan in the audience shouted out a racist slur. The incident was subsequently posted to the video sharing website YouTube, and MLS promised an investigation. In response to the epithet, Revolution player Shalrie Joseph reportedly made an obscene gesture towards the offending fan. Assuming that MLS could have identified the fan, Commissioner Don Garber promised to ban him.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.thestar.com/Article/432190 |title=MLS investigating fan's slur captured on camera |work=thestar|date=28 May 2008 |access-date=19 March 2010 | location=Toronto}}{{cite web |author=Goal.com Features |url=http://goal.com/en-us/news/145/goalcom-features/2008/05/30/716902/the-3-5-2-crewd-behavior-bad-yanks-and-mcreturn |title=The 3-5-2: Crewd Behavior, Bad Yanks and McReturn |publisher=Goal.com |date=30 May 2008 |access-date=19 March 2010 |archive-date=2 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002215142/http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/145/goalcom-features/2008/05/30/716902/the-3-5-2-crewd-behavior-bad-yanks-and-mcreturn |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.mywire.com/a/AFP/US-soccer-promises-to-ban/6571332?extID=10051 |title=US soccer promises to ban racist fan — if they find him | AFP | MyWire Reference |publisher=Mywire.com |date=4 June 2008 |access-date=19 March 2010}}

In July 2013, two white coaches for the Los Angeles-based squad Chivas USA filed a discrimination suit against the team. In this suit, they claimed that Chivas (which was controlled by their parent club in Guadalajara had become prejudicial after ending the contracts or trading off non Mexican/Mexican-American players and coaching staff following several unsuccessful seasons, thus they were wrongfully terminated. After the allegations were presented to a wider audience on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, MLS released a statement saying, "MLS has zero tolerance for discrimination or prejudice of any kind....And although allegations in this lawsuit raise serious issues it would not be appropriate for us to say anything more while the litigation is ongoing." Nothing significant happened following the accusations.{{Cite web|title = Is This MLS Soccer Team Racist?|url = https://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/chivas-usa-racist-soccer-team/story?id=19749008|website = ABC News|date = 23 July 2013|access-date = 22 January 2016}}{{Cite web|title = Major League Soccer releases statement concerning allegations of racism and discrimination at Chivas USA|url = http://www.thegoatparade.com/2013/7/29/4569558/major-league-soccer-releases-statement-chivas-usa-racism-discrimination-allegations-litigation|website = The Goat Parade|date = 29 July 2013|access-date = 22 January 2016|archive-date = 29 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160129111748/http://www.thegoatparade.com/2013/7/29/4569558/major-league-soccer-releases-statement-chivas-usa-racism-discrimination-allegations-litigation|url-status = dead}}{{Cite web|title = Watch HBO's Report on Chivas USA That Alleges Racial Discrimination at MLS Club [VIDEO]|url = http://worldsoccertalk.com/2013/07/24/watch-hbos-report-on-chivas-usa-that-alleges-racial-discrimination-at-mls-club-video/|website = World Soccer Talk|date = 24 July 2013|access-date = 22 January 2016}} The club was folded after the 2014 MLS season, eventually being replaced with the unrelated team Los Angeles FC.

On 28 August 2020, MLS and the National Women’s Soccer League launched investigations into allegations that Real Salt Lake and Utah Royal FC owner Dell Loy Hansen used racist language in the workplace.{{Cite web|last=Barrabi|first=Thomas|date=28 August 2020|title=Owner investigated over allegations of using racist language in the workplace|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/mls-real-salt-lake-team-owner-dell-loy-hansen-racist-allegations|access-date=5 February 2021|website=Fox News}} In September 2020, La Galaxy II announced that they released defender Omar Ontiveros in the wake of an on-field racist incident with San Diego Loyal player Elijah Martin.{{Cite web|last=Carlisle|first=Jeff|date=26 September 2020|title=LA Galaxy II release player after on-field racist incident|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/usl-championship/story/4192630/usl-side-la-galaxy-ii-releases-player-omar-ontiveros-after-racist-incident|access-date=5 February 2021|website=ESPN}}

In September 2022, Taxi Fountas was accused of using the n-word towards Damion Lowe.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62955035|title=Alleged racial slur by DC United forward investigated|work=BBC Sport }}

In April 2023, Dante Vanzeir apologised after being racist towards Jeremy Ebobisse, as did Vanzeir's club and manager.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65237598|title=Red Bulls' Vanzeir 'sorry' for using racist slur|work=BBC Sport }}

In June 2023, in the inaugural The Soccer Tournament event, the team representing West Ham United walked off the pitch after alleged racist abuse from an opposition player.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65785204|title=West Ham boycott match after alleged racial abuse|work=BBC Sport }}

In June 2024, US national team players Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards, Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie all suffered racist abuse after the national team lost in the 2024 Copa América to Panama.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c844jrxewv8t|title=Copa America: USA 1-2 Panama - Timothy Weah suffers racist abuse after red card|website=BBC Sport}}

{{See also|Racism in South America}}

{{See also|Racism in Argentina|Football in Argentina}}

On 14 April 2005, the Quilmes player Leandro Desabato was arrested for racially abusing Grafite, a black Brazilian player.{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0512/p07s01-woam.html|title=Soccer slide-tackles racism|access-date=17 February 2008|date=12 May 2005|author=Bill Faries|work=Christian Science Monitor}} He was held for 40 hours, but no charges were brought against him after Grafite decided not to press charges.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=soccer&id=2036949|title=Argentine player held in Brazil for racist insults|access-date=17 February 2008|date=14 April 2005|author=Pedro Fonseca|publisher=ESPN}}

Damien Perez of Arsenal de Sarandi labelled his opponent Jerry Bengston a "negro de mierda", roughly translated to "black piece of shit". This is a common racial slur in Latin America. One Argentinian player, Alberto Raimundi even felt it was appropriate to use the slur when describing an opponent during a post-game interview.{{Cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/racism-threatens-to-overshadow-the-copa-america/|title=Racism Threatens to Overshadow the Copa America|work=VICE Sports|access-date=24 April 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=24 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424181443/https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/racism-threatens-to-overshadow-the-copa-america|url-status=live}}

In November 2022, an Argentine television crew during the 2022 FIFA World Cup caught Argentine fans singing chants against the France national football team claiming "they are from Angola", and singled out Kylian Mbappé in particular for his nationality, sexuality, and alleged relationship with model Ines Rau.{{Cite web|url=https://dailypost.ng/2022/11/20/world-cup-his-mother-is-nigerian-argentina-fans-mock-kylian-mbappe/|title=SPORTWorld Cup: His mother is Nigerian – Argentina fans mock Kylian Mbappe|date=20 November 2022 |via=dailypost.ng}}

In November 2023, Brazilian footballer Rodrygo was racially abused after an altercation during a game with Argentina's Lionel Messi.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67516051|title='Racists are always on duty' - Rodrygo|work=BBC Sport }}

In July 2024, the French Football Federation complained about a racist song sung by Argentina national players.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c80x1947rxzo|title=French FA to complain over alleged 'racist' Argentina song|date=16 July 2024|website=BBC Sport}} The video had been posted on social media by Enzo Fernandez, who was criticised by French club-mate Wesley Fofana; Fernando was subject to disciplinary proceedings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c80x1947rxzo|title=Enzo Fernandez: Chelsea and Fifa begin action over alleged racist chant video|date=16 July 2024|website=BBC Sport}} Fofana later said that Fernandez was not racist.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cjk34rpmnxmo|title=Chelsea news: Enzo Fernandez is 'not racist', says Wesley Fofana|date=31 July 2024|website=BBC Sport}} The anti-racism group Kick it Out accused Fernandez of being racist and transphobic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c79d1pjq175o|title=Enzo Fernandez: Kick It Out ask questions of Fifa and Conmebol over alleged racist video|date=16 January 2025|website=BBC Sport}}

{{see also|Racism in Brazil|Football in Brazil}}

Racism in Brazilian football was discussed by the media in the run-up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, held in the country.{{cite web|url=http://www.wsc.co.uk/wsc-daily/1175-march-2014/11332-racism-causes-concern-in-brazil-ahead-of-world-cup|title=Racism causes concern in Brazil ahead of World Cup|date=15 March 2014|publisher=When Saturday Comes|access-date=27 March 2014|archive-date=23 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323234336/http://www.wsc.co.uk/wsc-daily/1175-march-2014/11332-racism-causes-concern-in-brazil-ahead-of-world-cup|url-status=dead}}

In September 2014, Grêmio were banned from competing in the Copa do Brasil after some of their fans were seen racially abusing an opposition player.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-29052037|title=Brazil football club Gremio banned over racism incident|date=4 September 2014|work=BBC Sport|access-date=4 September 2014}}

In June 2023, the Brazil national team wore an all-black kit as part of an anti-racism campaign.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65941621|title=Brazil wear all-black kit in anti-racism message|work=BBC Sport }}

In July 2023, an anti-racism law in Rio de Janeiro was named after Vinícius Júnior, who had been racially abused in Spain.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66118476|title=Rio anti-racism law named after Vinicius Jr|work=BBC Sport }}

In December 2024, four female players from River Plate's women's team were arrested in Brazil after player Candela Díaz was alleged to have imitated monkey gestures against a Gremio ball boy. In a play against Gremio's women's team, the latter's players walked out in protest, and a heated exchange occurred, including more racial slurs against the Gremio players. The game was eventually forfeited and the win was awarded to Gremio. {{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/womens-players-arrested-over-racist-incident-in-brazil-semifinal/article_b4f15f32-5ffe-599d-8eb3-62e6eeb34240.html|title=Women’s players arrested over racist incident in Brazil semifinal|work=Toronto Star}}

In Wilstermann 0-2 loss to Blooming in March 2019, black Brazilian players Serginho, playing for the former team, left the field after being subjected to monkey chants by the opposition fans. Afterwards Serginho stated that racism must end in the Bolivian league.{{cite web|title=Brazilian striker leaves pitch in Bolivia after being subjected to racist chants|url=https://asia.eurosport.com/football/football-news-brazilian-striker-leaves-pitch-in-bolivia-after-being-subjected-to-racist-chants_sto7197089/story.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323154418/https://asia.eurosport.com/football/football-news-brazilian-striker-leaves-pitch-in-bolivia-after-being-subjected-to-racist-chants_sto7197089/story.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 March 2019|publisher=EuroSport|agency=Associated Press|date=22 March 2019|access-date=23 March 2019}}

Emilio Rentería, of Colombian-Venezuelan origin was forced off the field crying due to extreme racial abuse during a game played in the Chilean league. After scoring a goal against the opposing team, Renteria celebrated on the side of the pitch. After this the crowd began to chant numerous racist slurs forcing him to leave the game. Chilean senator later apologized to Renteria and made a joint effort to grow awareness for the problem in Chile.

In the 2006 World Cup held in Germany, The Ecuadorian team was the target of racism by an Argentinian commentator. The commentator was said to have commented on the color of the Ecuadorians' dark skin. After this statement, the commentator continued, saying that the Ecuadorian team were not real Ecuadorians, and were from Nigeria. His comments started an uproar in Ecuador over national identity.{{Cite journal|last=Rahier|first=Jean Muteba|date=27 June 2010|title=Red Card: Soccer and Racism (review)|url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/384152|journal=The Americas|language=en|volume=67|issue=1|pages=151–152|doi=10.1353/tam.0.0290|s2cid=144827345|issn=1533-6247}}

Club Olimpia fans have been caught on camera uttering the word "monkey" at opposing Brazilian players Gabriel Barbosa and Gabriel Batista at a Copa Liberatadores quarterfinals match against Flamengo in 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.com.py/deportes/futbol/olimpia/2021/08/12/macaco-el-gito-racista-de-un-hincha-de-olimpia-a-diego-alves/|title="Macaco", el grito racista de un hincha de Olimpia a Diego Alves - Olimpia - ABC Color|website=www.abc.com.py}} Olimpia has been fined for the incident.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uol.com.br/esporte/futebol/ultimas-noticias/2021/09/14/olimpia-e-multado-em-r-156-mil-por-caso-de-racismo-contra-jogadores-do-fla.htm|title=Olimpia é multado em R$ 156 mil por caso de racismo contra jogadores do Fla|website=www.uol.com.br}}

Jhoel Herrera a player for Real Garcilaso of the Peruvian first division brought family to his opponent's home stadium to celebrate mother's day. Herrera endured 90 minutes of racist verbal abuse from the opposing fans and players while the ref seemed to not react. At the end of the game, Herrera's mother was caught on tape being physically abused by the racist opposing team's fans.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/racism-threatens-to-overshadow-the-copa-america/|title=Racism and the Copa America|last=Montes|first=Euclides|access-date=24 April 2017|archive-date=24 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424181443/https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/racism-threatens-to-overshadow-the-copa-america|url-status=live}}

Universitario of Lima insulted the fans and players of Corinthians (Brazil) by making monkey gestures in match of the Conmebol Copa Sudamericana{{Cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/peru/2023/07/16/universitario-y-todos-los-problemas-que-mancharon-su-campana-en-copa-sudamericana-ataques-a-hinchas-bronca-de-jugadores-y-caso-de-racismo/|title=Universitario y todos los problemas que mancharon su campaña en Copa Sudamericana: ataques a hinchas, bronca de jugadores y caso de racismo|first=Por Nicole Cueva|last=Albújar|date=16 July 2023|website=infobae}} in 2023, and against Botafogo in a match of the Conmebol Copa Libertadores{{Cite web|url=https://www.americatv.com.pe/deportes/futbol-mundial/universitario-vs-botafogo-hubo-actos-racistas-hinchas-cremas-contra-brasilenos-n443972|title=Universitario vs. Botafogo: ¿Hubo actos racistas de hinchas cremas en contra de brasileños?|website=www.americatv.com.pe}} in 2024. Universitario is not new in racist displayings, Universitario fans and Jean Ferrari while playing for Sporting Cristal in 2001 made monkey gestures against Alianza Lima fans,{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ElTioBlankiazvl/videos/3540613166161496/|title=12K views · 357 reactions | Es curioso que Jean Ferrari denuncie a un jugador por provocación al público cuando él de jugador, celebró frente al hincha de Alianza haciendo como gorila, no sólo provocando, si no también de haciéndolo de forma racista. | Es curioso que Jean Ferrari denuncie a un jugador por provocación al público cuando él de jugador, celebró frente al hincha de Alianza haciendo como... | By Alianza Lima es mi vida-El Blankiazvl tlv | Facebook|via=www.facebook.com}} he continuously made fun of Black players and supporters of Alianza Lima{{Cite web|url=https://rpp.pe/futbol/descentralizado/universitario-es-multado-por-insultos-racistas-ante-alianza-lima-noticia-982777|title=Universitario es multado por insultos racistas ante Alianza Lima | RPP Noticias|date=27 July 2016|website=rpp.pe}} (a club known as the antiracist club).

In June 2024, Uruguayan player Rodrigo Bentancur apologised for saying all Korean people looked the same whilst talking about Tottenham teammate Son Heung-min.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cg33p1834elo|title=Bentancur apologises to Tottenham team-mate Son for 'bad joke'|date=15 June 2024|website=BBC Sport}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cy66zpqy8w6o|title=Bentancur has apologised to me for racial slur - Son|date=20 June 2024|website=BBC Sport}} Bentancur was later charged by the English Football Association for his comments,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5y3y4e6kn5o|title=Rodrigo Bentancur charged by FA over racial slur about Son Heung-min|date=12 September 2024|website=BBC Sport}} receiving a 7-match ban and a £100,000 fine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c86q570vw6xo|title=Rodrigo Bentancur: Tottenham midfielder banned for seven matches over racial slur about Son Heung-min|date=18 November 2024|website=BBC Sport}} Tottenham appealed the ban,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5yx7v23pejo|title=Rodrigo Bentancur: Tottenham appeal against length of seven-game ban|date=20 November 2024|website=BBC Sport}} whilst manager Ange Postecoglou defended Bentancur, desiring the incident as a "mistake".{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cp87rkpyprwo|title=Rodrigo Bentancur ban: Ange Postecoglou backs appeal against severity of Tottenham midfielder's ban|date=21 November 2024|website=BBC Sport}} The appeal was unsuccessful.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cwyd1wex91go|title=Rodrigo Bentancur: Tottenham midfielder loses appeal over ban|date=17 December 2024|website=BBC Sport}} The BBC stated that the incident was an example of increasing racism against East and South East Asians in football.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cde7p7yy6nno|title=Bentancur & Son: Racism against East and South East asian players is on the rise|date=20 November 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

{{Portal|Association football}}

• Football Against Racism in Europe
• Judenklub
• Racism Breaks the Game
• Serbia v Albania (UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying)
• Show Racism the Red Card
• Stand Up Speak Up
• Child abuse in football

{{reflist}}

• {{Commons category-inline}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080606031149/http://www.eurocup2012.com.pl/eng/16/bbc-material-about-racism-on-polish-football-stadiums/ BBC report on racism on Polish stadiums]
• [http://www.furd.org/ Football Unites, Racism Divides]
• [http://www.srtrc.org/ Show Racism The Red Card]
• [http://www.kickitout.org/ Let's Kick Racism Out Of Football]
• [http://www.nike.com/standupspeakup/index.jsp Stand Up Speak Up] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308004206/http://www.nike.com/standupspeakup/index.jsp |date=8 March 2007 }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20091027002212/http://geocities.com/tennantralphs/ One Game For All, Without Racism]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWYpmF1j288&mode=related&search= Mark Walters debut]
• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-13141592 Neil Lennon bomb]

{{Racism topics}}

{{Association football}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Racism in Association Football}}

Category:Association football issues

Category:History of association football

association football