Everyone is in a state of unhappiness
The German Football Association (DFB) has been unbeaten in the European Championship, but a recent Instagram post from the DFB has sparked a conversation beyond the football field. After a 2:0 World Cup qualifier loss against Slovakia, the DFB posted a comment expressing dissatisfaction, but the post also addressed the issue of not uncommon racist harassment in football.
The post, which ended with a call for unity and three heart emojis in the colours of the German flag, could be perceived as trivializing dissatisfaction, hate, and racist comments online. However, it was a concrete reaction to severe harassment faced by defenders Antonio Rüdiger, Jonathan Tah, and Nnamdi Collins.
The DFB's stance on racism has been under scrutiny, as recent incidents of racist abuse at DFB-Pokal matches have alarmed the association and led to investigations. The association fears that a clear statement on how it deals with racism might expose weaknesses or insufficient actions. Instead, they emphasize their commitment to diversity and respect while addressing the issue through official channels like investigations and disciplinary procedures.
Meanwhile, the German Basketball Federation (DBB) has shown a strong stance against racism. During a game against Lithuania, German basketball player Dennis Schröder was racially harassed with monkey noises. The DBB's social media team commented, "NO PLACE FOR RACISM! We stand behind you, Dennis."
Thousands of spectators at the next game held up "Stop Racism!" signs, and the English football clubs' boycott of social media for three days in 2021 to protest against racist insults and harassment online serves as a reminder that more needs to be done. Beyond reporting incidents, there is a need for pressure on politics for stricter regulation of social networks and harsh penalties for those who resist this.
The DFB's post asking users to refrain from commenting with hate and racism is a step in the right direction, but it is clear that more action is needed to combat racism in football and beyond. The German basketball team's demonstration of team spirit and stance against racism serves as an example for the DFB to learn from and emulate.
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