Was the threat of racism overplayed prior to the World Cup?

Question

Before the tournament started we heard various stories on the possible threat to blacks during the world cup.But the African teams and fans came and have left the world cup without any issue.So was the racism card overplayed?

Infact a few days to the WC a German official was quoted as listing places where blacks fans should avoid for fear of attacks by Neo-Nazis.And I'm sure our German friends can confirm that they are some areas in Germany that are no go areas for blacks.

One such warning came from Uwe-Karsten Heye, a former government spokesman who now heads an anti-racism lobby, Gesicht Zeigen.
"There are small and mid-sized towns in Brandenburg and elsewhere I would advise anyone with a different skin colour not to go," he said.

"They may not leave with their lives."

Source BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5012182.stm

Answer 1

Even if they're only few
racism should always be addressed
is not a secret there are racist fan mostly in European soil
it should be a shame not to addressed or prevented in any level
or sport were there is a threat

Answer 2

I don't think it was overplayed - it is a factor, a very UGLY one, so, to bring any attention to it is a good thing. I also don't think the racism was so much directed at the black African players btw, but at European teams fielding black players. The story below kinda confirms it. Too bad there are always the few MORON-IGNORANT-CRETINS that ruin things, and just add fuel to the fire.

Racism hits World Cup for first time
Combined News Services

Thursday, June 29
BERLIN — Claims of racist abuse targeting players at the World Cup for the first time emerged yesterday, just hours after FIFA and local organizers promoted the "Say No to Racism" campaign.
France coach Raymond Domenech said black players were taunted as they entered the stadium before their second-round match against Spain at Hanover the previous night.

"When the bus arrives at the stadium, when you hear some fans making monkey chants ... I just turned my head away," Domenech said. "I don't even give them the satisfaction of a look."

Many reports before the France-Spain match focused on a controversy in 2004, when Spain coach Luis Aragones made a racist remark about France striker Thierry Henry during a training session. He was fined $3,760 by Spain's soccer federation, which many felt was too lenient.

He later apologized, denying he was a racist.

FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said FIFA would investigate if a formal complaint was made.

The French team also was targeted at home, with a far-right politician quoted as saying minorities were over-represented on "Les Bleus."

"Perhaps the coach went overboard on the proportion of players of color," Jean-Marie Le Pen, leader of the National Front party, said in L'Equipe.

Answer 3

Racism On Display at the World Cup?
by Sherrilyn Ifill
On Friday June 9th in Germany the single most-watched and important sports event in the world begins -- the soccer World Cup. Unlike baseball's "World Series," the World Cup really involves teams and fans from all over the world playing the world's most popular sport -- soccer (or futbol as it's known in much of the world). I am a soccer lover. I even have tickets to a World Cup game in Hamburg, but for a variety of reasons I won't be able to go. Like many soccer fans, I love the Brazilian team. But I also love our own U.S. team, whose players I follow all year in Major League Soccer games throughout the country. I hope that many of you will watch some of the games during the month-long Cup. Knowing something about soccer is like a passport. It enables you to start a conversation with people in almost any country in the world.

But this awesome global sport has a global problem which many fear will be on display during this year's Cup -- racism. Despite the greater attention focused on drunkenness and hooliganism among soccer fans, overt racism has become a growing and persistent problem in soccer games in Europe for the past 15 years, as players of color from Africa, South America and the U.S have increasingly been hired by Europeon soccer clubs. White fans in Europe make monkey sounds and throw bananas at black players. Not just occasionally -- but regularly in some stadiums. (Read more here). Fans in Spain, France, Belgium and in Eastern European countries have been among the worst offenders. Nelson Mandela spoke out about this scourge on the sport years ago. But FIFA, the world soccer organization, has done little more than threaten sanctions against players and coaches who exhibit racism, and to deduct tournament points from teams whose fans engage in this behavior during the World Cup. FIFA doesn't seem to want to do what I think would check this behavior pretty quickly: cancel games. If these incidents happen during a game, every player should have to leave the field and the game should be cancelled. Period.

Answer 4

To all the idiots out there - the issue was a European one - starting with Henry in France, not America.

And yes - I think it was overblown, like most issues of racism arein the world. Hooligans would call him n***er, just to piss him off. It then started to effect other matches and players. Once they barred Hooligans - there was no issue. And these very Hooligans never have had a problem with a black player playing for their team. It was a factor of intimidation.

Katana - you are an idiot.

Answer 5

I think that the organizers were more worried about terrorism and general hoolaganism than any specific race issue.

There's still a few Nazis left in Germany if thats what you mean but they've pretty much been snuffed out and certainly don't represent German society.

Answer 6

Nothing was overplayed or overhyped.It was a necessary precaution and exercise on the part of the authorities. Racism is a global issue that has infiltrated Sports also. Its sad but reality and we all have to face it in order to solve it...if one possibly can.

Answer 7

I think it was overplayed, perhaps not even a factor... the only thing that mattered with regards to color were the colors of the various flags represented in the world cup, but everyone bled red blood.

Answer 8

Of course it was, and who else but the NAACP started it. The freakin Americans think they can fortell and have influence on the World Cup. The funniest thing is they call it African Americans in the USA even though more then the half of them are neither african nor american.

Answer 9

No racism shouldnt b allowed in football and it is a disgrace if any 1 says that it is overplayed

Answer 10

No, if not for extra security I assure you there would have been many an ugly fracas. Look at the violence during the regular soccer season.