The recently concluded World Cup marked a historic milestone for African football, with a record nine teams advancing to the knockout stage, surpassing the previous high of two teams. However, this achievement has been overshadowed by concerns regarding the prevalence of racist commentary directed towards African players and teams.
A prominent incident occurred during the group stage when Bastian Schweinsteiger, a former German international and current television analyst, made remarks while previewing Germany’s match against Côte d’Ivoire. He suggested that the game would involve “a bit of African football, a bit unorthodox, a bit wild, and perhaps not so tactical.” These comments drew sharp criticism from Côte d’Ivoire’s coach, Emerse Faé, who labeled them as racist. In response, Schweinsteiger clarified that his comments were intended as a football analysis, not a commentary on people.
Experts in race and sports have noted that such remarks are not surprising, as stereotypes about African football persist and can be damaging regardless of the speaker’s intent. Dr. Paul Ian Campbell, an Associate Professor of Sociology focused on Race Equity at the University of Leicester, pointed out that Schweinsteiger’s comments reflect deep-seated stereotypes that portray Black African football as “underdeveloped” compared to Northern European styles. He emphasized that this bias often excludes North African teams like Egypt or Morocco, indicating that the issue is fundamentally racial, centering on Black African football.
Dr. Jacco van Sterkenburg, a Professor specializing in Race, Inclusion, and Media at Erasmus University Rotterdam, remarked that commentators frequently resort to “racist colonial narratives,” especially in fast-paced discussions. He explained that such language fosters a hierarchy that associates whiteness with intelligence and blackness with physicality and chaos. While it has become less common to hear African teams described as “wild,” the emphasis on their athleticism often remains one-dimensional. He noted that top athletes, regardless of race, must possess a wide array of skills to excel.
These issues also arise in multicultural teams like England and France, where Dr. Campbell observed a “division of praise.” He explained that while Black players’ athletic abilities are often highlighted, white players’ successes are usually attributed to intelligence and strategy. This disparity reinforces the narrative of the “natural athlete.”
In another instance, former Yugoslav striker Rade Bogdanović faced backlash for claiming on Serbian television that “Black players lack concentration beyond 60 to 80 minutes” during a match involving Belgium’s Nathan Ngoy. Dr. Campbell pointed out that such racial explanations are rarely applied to white players, despite their frequent disciplinary issues during games.
Additionally, former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart apologized after stating that Japanese players “all look alike” during a Dutch television segment. The anti-discrimination organization Kick It Out has commented on the repeated use of racial stereotypes and slurs by broadcasters during the World Cup, urging media outlets to ensure that their contributors undergo training to understand the implications of their language.
The ramifications of these attitudes extend beyond the football field. In various sports, including Australia’s leading leagues, there is a stark contrast between the diversity of athletes and the representation of minorities in leadership roles such as coaching and management. A 2022 study by the Black Footballers Partnership revealed that while 43% of players in the English Premier League are Black, only 4.4% of coaching positions are held by Black individuals. Historically, only eleven Black coaches have been appointed as either permanent or caretaker managers in the EPL, with no Black board members or senior executives currently in place.
Leon Mann, a sports consultant and founder of Football’s Black List, highlighted the troubling message conveyed by this lack of representation: while Black individuals are recognized and valued as athletes, they are conspicuously absent from leadership roles. Dr. van Sterkenburg added that being solely associated with athleticism can hinder Black athletes’ aspirations for coaching and leadership positions, emphasizing the importance of being recognized for their leadership qualities and technical skills as well.
