Posted by By GBOLAHAN DADA on
The phenomenon of racism in football is obviously not as old as the scourge of racism in society in general, but neither is it as recent as the current worrying situation… and the time has come to tackle the problem unequivocally.
•I no longer enjoy freedom in Germany - Ogungbure
The phenomenon of racism in football is obviously not as old as the scourge of racism in society in general, but neither is it as recent as the current worrying situation… and the time has come to tackle the problem unequivocally.
Former national Under-23 captain, Adebowale Ogungbure, is the latest casualty of this abuse in Germany. The attack on his personality by fans has already attracted criticisms across the world.
Although the case, which is being investigated by the Police and German Football Association, is at present on the table of the world's football governing body, FIFA, who are due to arrive Germany on fact-finding mission.
FIFA has been aware of the racism problem for sometime but recent events, especially in Europe, have given the need for concerted action an added urgency. While the main emphasis of the practical measures will inevitably remain at national and local level, FIFA has recognised the unique role it has in co-ordinating opinions and expertise from all corners of the globe to share experiences and to proffer effective solutions.
Speaking on the attack which almost stopped him from pursuing his career in Germany, Ogungbure said since the incident occurred, his freedom has been totally restricted and monitored by the German Police.
Ogungbure told Daily Sunsport how the country's authorities have taken interest in his case by assigning special guards to protect him everywhere he goes.
"The German police are always with me since the incident. I was asked not to be alone at home because of those who want to attack me. Well, I think I really need some time to settle down well. It was in the game I played before the last weekend. The whole 93 minutes of the game was hell for me, but I kept on playing. And then they started calling me names like monkey, Niger and bimbo, and all these happened during the game.
Ogungbure was infuriated by fans' racial remarks and chants during his club's (Sachsen Leipzig) league game, and things got out of hand when a fan spat on him as he walked down the aisle after the match.
The Nigerian international who speaks German fluently after over six years in the lower Bundesliga, said he couldn't stomach the insult any longer and made a Nazi salutation in retaliation, which drew the irk of the fans.
"They descended on me and pounded me black and blue. It was not the first time they had insulted me like that. They called me ‘monkey' and hurled racial abuses at me, but I always endured it… until a fan spat on me. I had to fight back," he said.
Ogungbure promises to quit the club at the expiration of his contract by June this year, "because I can't take it anymore. I need a change of environment. I had stayed this long here because I hoped to obtain citizenship of the country.
"At the moment, my agent is holding talks with some clubs in England and once it works out, I will move," he said
The term ‘racism' is not easy to define, for it comes in many forms. Essentially, however, it is based on skin colour, as an outward indication of ethnic origin. Incongruously, the problem has sharpened… just at a time when players have become more mobile than ever… not only between countries but also between continents, and at a time when ethnic families have been otherwise integrated in their adopted homelands for several generations. But the trend also coincides with a deeply worrying increase in extreme right-wing activities outside the football stadium.
"The solution to this problem, as to any other, lies firstly in identifying it and acknowledging its existence," says FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter. "Anyone who complacently maintains that racism is impossible in his or her territory is not only wrong but irresponsible," he asserted.