Black soccer players face racism on and off the field

05/08/2021 34 min
Black soccer players face racism on and off the field

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Episode Synopsis

Several high-profile incidents of racism have recently occurred in soccer worldwide. The Other Side host Scot Kirk talks to sports writer and author Edward Akinyemi about what's fueling the racism, and why Black soccer players so often find themselves the object of hate and abuse. Racist abuse comes from fans in the stands, other players on the pitch, game officials, sports writers and broadcasters, and online trolls. Contributing to the often toxic environment in soccer is how Black athletes are  stereotyped in the media, with their talents reduced to physical prowess, while white athletes are more frequently praised for having mental qualities like determination and strategic thinking. Finally, Akinyemi explains why soccer never took off in the U.S. like it has elsewhere and what can be done to increase the sport's popularity here.

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