Spain is not completely alone in the 30 or so European football playing countries that lie east of Poland. History of Football RacismThe persistence of racism in association in football is one of the most perplexing anachronisms in sports, or any other sphere of society for that matter. Like the game itself, the practice of abusing black players has its origins in England. In the late 1970s, the appearance of dozens of black players enraged many white fans who reacted by hurling bananas, grunting like apes, and screaming epithets. That’s what happened after football fans around the world discovered English fans’ extraordinary way of barracking players.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 03, 2023 10:22 UTC