Just a few days ago on Sunday a young Brazilian team beat Scotland 2-0 in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium with 19-year-old Neymar scoring both goals. However the game will not be remembered for Neymar’s performance but for a nasty incident of racism. After Neymar had scored his second goal from the penalty spot a German fan threw a banana onto the field near where Neymar was standing with Neymar also claiming after the game that he was the victim of several racial jeers from Scottish fans throughout the match.
Brazilian player Lucas Leiva removed the banana in the 83rd minute from the penalty box. Commenting on the event the midfielder said “There is no more space for racism in the world. They say it’s the first world here in Europe but it’s where it [racism] happens the most. That has to change. Everybody is equal today. It’s a matter of respect.” Commenting to a Brazilian TV station Neymar added: “The atmosphere of racism is totally sad. We leave our country to play here and something like this happens.”
These horrific incidents are a throwback to the dark days of European soccer hooliganism in which such racist behavior was a common occurrence. Several decades and dozens of anti-racism efforts later and we have these incidents occurring all over again.
This episode has brought about a whole new racism saga to the soccer world with the Scottish Football Association denying claims that the Brazilian youngster was racially abused in any way shape or form which is blasphemous considering that several people captured video footage of a banana being thrown onto the pitch in the direction of Neymar as well as Neymar claiming that he was the victim of racism jeers. However an SFA statement said: “The Scottish FA refutes claims from Neymar that he was the victim of racist jeers also adding, Scotland supporters are known for impeccable behavior which is untrue as Scotland has been known to have some of the worst hooligans in Europe. Police commander Mark Sheeran commented: The Scottish fans’ behavior was first class. There were no issues at all inside the stadium.”
The attempts of the Scottish FA to cover up their fans’ behavior are a painful reminder of the corruption present in the sport. The SFA continued by stating that it will contact the Brazilian Football Federation and the match organizers to inform them of Sheeran’s comments and of the supporter’s disgust at the accusations. Two days later a report was released stating that Neymar will not file a racism complaint. In a couple of weeks the magical corruption brush will sweep away this incident as if it never happened with only indignant fans such as myself remembering the injustices suffered by Neymar. Hopefully one day we can live in a world where corruption and racism not just in sport but also in life is just a mere memory.