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Racial Abuse of Black Players Spikes Early in European Soccer Season

September 18, 2025

The early 2024-25 European soccer season has been marked by a concerning surge in racist incidents targeting Black players across multiple leagues, with anti-discrimination campaigners noting incidents have more than doubled compared to the same period last year. Players like Antoine Semenyo, Christopher Antwi-Adjei, Weston McKennie, and Kylian Mbappé have all been victims of racist abuse from spectators in recent matches. Despite numerous initiatives from governing bodies like FIFA and UEFA, racism persists in soccer stadiums and on social media, leading frustrated players to call for tougher penalties against offenders.

Who is affected

  • Black soccer players across European leagues, including Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth), Christopher Antwi-Adjei (Schalke), Weston McKennie (Juventus), and Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
  • Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid), who faced racial abuse incidents in Spain in 2023
  • England player Jess Carter, who experienced abuse on social media during the Women's European Championship
  • Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre, who received racist insults on Instagram after joining FIFA's anti-racism panel
  • Soccer clubs and federations that receive fines and penalties for fans' racist behavior
  • Soccer spectators and the broader fan community

What action is being taken

  • FIFA has recently formed a 16-member "Players' Voice Panel" featuring former stars like George Weah and Didier Drogba to advise on anti-racism initiatives
  • Police are investigating incidents and making arrests, such as the spectator detained for abusing Semenyo and the arrest in Spain of a fan who targeted Mbappé
  • The Fare network is monitoring matches and sending reports to UEFA and FIFA regarding discriminatory incidents
  • FIFA is issuing fines to national federations including Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile for racist incidents
  • Referees are employing a three-step protocol when racism occurs during matches

Why it matters

  • The surge in racist incidents shows that discrimination persists in soccer despite years of anti-racism campaigns and initiatives
  • Racism undermines soccer's potential to unite rather than divide people, as noted by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin
  • Players are becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress in eliminating racism from the sport
  • The problem extends beyond stadiums to social media, creating a multi-faceted challenge for authorities
  • Soccer's popularity and visibility make it a platform where societal issues like racism become highly visible
  • The ongoing incidents highlight potential failures in existing penalty systems and approaches to combating racism

What's next

  • The newly formed FIFA Players' Voice Panel will work to "push for a shift in football culture" and ensure anti-racism measures are "not just talked about, but actioned"
  • Some stakeholders, including former player Gary Neville, are calling for conversations about more severe consequences for offenders beyond education
  • Questions are being raised about whether more stringent measures should be implemented, such as contacting offenders' employers or imposing harsher punishments on clubs
  • Debates continue about whether racism in soccer should be addressed as part of broader societal trends or as an issue specific to the sport's internal structures

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint