Henry Battles Racism in Soccer

By Jake Fox
Love of Sports Correspondent

Soccer is commonly known as “the beautiful game.”

Yet, the game can be just as ugly when its dark side is exposed. Racism is a major problem and has done its part in dulling the luster of the world’s most popular sport.

Overseas, “football” is more than just a pastime or a spectator sport; it’s been called a religion. The game’s “devoted followers” will often take any measure to display their loyalty to their team and its cause. This has included hooliganism, rioting and fighting, and even murder.

Another tactic used by fans is to hurl racial epithets at opposing players. In games that usually feature an expansive international flavor, supporters often have their pick of stereotypes and biases to choose from. Racism isn’t directed at players only because of their skin color; players are also targeted because of their nationality, religion or ethnicity. Fans have also thrown objects and spit on their chosen victims.

Additionally, it’s not just an issue of fans berating players from the stands, as there have been many instances of bigotry and intolerance among the athletes themselves, and even issues between coaches and players.

French national team member and current Barcelona striker Thierry Henry has been the target of racism throughout his career. As a minority, and one of the world’s premier players, he’s been singled out by opposing fans, as well as team personnel.

In 2005, after being called a “black s---” by Spanish coach Luis Aragones, Henry decided to take a stand and started the “Stand Up, Speak Out” campaign to fight racism.

Henry told TIME Europe that, “As a player, you’d hear or see the occasional racist insult or gesture, but you’d tell yourself it’s unfortunate, but normal, a price to pay if you want to play pro football.”

He continued, “I realized that footballers have a duty to defend important values and use their media exposure to deliver messages when the occasion presents itself.”

Henry was able to use his clout among fellow players and his sponsorship with Nike to turn the campaign into a major success. Along with other European soccer stars, he participated in advertisement and promotional campaigns and other fundraising efforts.

Nike produced black and white intertwined bracelets, which raised millions of dollars to combat racism around the globe. Henry’s work gave the usually silent majority empowerment to stand up and speak out against the misguided minority tarnishing the sport.

For his efforts, Henry was appointed the official Ambassador Against Racism by FIFA, the international governing body of soccer, who began its own “Say No to Racism” campaign.

Shortly afterwards he started his own foundation, “The One 4 All Foundation,” (a play on his initials and uniform number 14) who’s mission, according the its website, is “to promote and support projects against racism and social inequality” around the world.

The foundation’s main focus is reaching disadvantaged and discouraged children through sporting and educational projects.

In 2007, Henry was recognized by TIME as one of its “Heroes & Pioneers” on “The Time 100” list. In the TIME article, friend and countrymen Tony Parker said of Henry, “Thierry is so much more than a great soccer player. He wants to change the world. It’s no secret that European soccer is fighting a racism problem, in the crowd and on the field, and no player has done more to exorcise it than Thierry.”

Henry told TIME Europe that when he retires, “I want to able be able to watch football on TV or attend a match and not hear a single racist insult. That’s what I’d like to do for future generations of players, and that’s what I’d like to give back to the game that has done so much for me.”

Unfortunately, despite his unrelenting efforts, racism continues to be a major problem in the game. Over time, and as the issue is continually brought into our social consciousness, the hope is that one day it’ll be completely eradicated from the sport.

The beauty of the game depends on it.