Football vs racism

Football vs racism

By: Jonh Jak Becerra Palacios

A few years ago, I used to listen to a soccer radio program directed by two well known journalists, one of them one day said that he did not like afro or black goalkeepers, and his argument was racist, according to the journalist, black goalkeepers were slow, because of our features, and he also dared to say that, because of their musculature, etc.

In the 90s I do not remember many Afro-Colombian goalkeepers in Colombian soccer, and even less in the world's elite soccer, in leagues such as Italian, English, and others. Today, in a certain way, the local panorama is different, I could say that there is some progress, however, there is still a long way to go, in the big clubs and the inequality in the field of play.

André Onana, Ajax goalkeeper said: "Clubs don't trust black goalkeepers. It's a reality, you just have to look at it, it's not my doing."

Édouard Mendy, Chelsea goalkeeper.

"I had doubts. We were expecting a child and I had to collect unemployment benefits to dedicate myself completely to soccer."

In Marca said: Lampard's 'lock' His 198 centimeters tall and his very long arms have put the padlock on Chelsea's goal. Mendy has kept clean sheets in four of the five games he has played. He has conceded 10 shots and conceded only one goal: against Tottenham (1-1) in the League Cup. He also improves on Kepa's save records: 90.91%-57.14%.

"I don't think skin color matters. African goalkeepers are the same as European or South American goalkeepers". Carlos Kameni, former Espanyol and Malaga goalkeeper.

"We African goalkeepers have a natural gift. I manage 10 goals that, with confidence, could play in Spain or in a big league".

Jacques Songo'o, former Deportivo Deportivo goalkeeper