Football

Problem is, not all isms are born equal. The constant anti-semitism
didn't get the coverage that the race thing seems to get. You can't
hide your colour/phenotype so I guess it will readily get discussion.
With no one coming out any time soon, it's too easy to turn a blind
eye to issues of homophobia. God help the next one that does...
#justinfashanu

Likewise unless players/fans walk about with a badge stating their jew
heritage it's relatively easy to glide on by....That fact that Spurs
chant "Y*d Army" muddies the waters, I guess?

It used to be a forum in-joke but I'm fatigued from hearing the R word
being thrown about so much these days.

Thank you MG.

I was sickened and disgusted by the events in Paris last week. Although crap like that was prevalent thirty years ago, football has gone a long way to changing attitudes within society. Racism and many other isms are prevalent in football but also in society as a whole and football has, to a great extent, been more forthright in its determination to rid society of racism at least. The days of Paul Canonville are long gone. Today football has brought an international perspective into many people's lives.

Sadly, racism is raising its head in society again and so, it is not too surprising that it is reemerging in football. Hopefully the outcry that Paris provoked will make people think twice before repeating that nonsense.

There has been a considerable amount of hypocrisy over the past week as well. Some have maintained that it is just a Chelsea issue. It is not, it is an issue within society as a whole. Some have used it to press their own narrow minded view of the world. Some have used it to push other forms of intolerance. "Rent boy racists" was an oft repeated phrase combining a holier than thou attitude towards racism with homophobia.

At Chelsea, we could take on the insults and start calling ourselves "The Rentboys" or even "The racists". This would be entirely counterproductive. It would engender both hatred of gay people and acceptance of racism. This is why Tottenham's acceptance and use of the "Y-word" is unacceptable and must be stopped, whatever David Cameron might think.