Sol Campbell: Racism at the heart football

Sol Campbell, one of the most capped Black England footballers of all time, has claimed in his biography that if he was white he may have captained his country for more than a decade.

In an extract from an authorised biography published in The Sunday Times, Campbell said he realised the extent of the FA's racism when Michael Owen was made captain ahead of him. 

"I believe if I was white, I would've been England captain for more than 10 years," he said. "It's as simple as that."

Campbell has argued that his performances, credibility, club captaincy experience and position at the heart of central defence made him a worthy candidate. But speaking on the radio this morning, he claimed that both the FA and the England managers were not ready for a Black captain.

Lord Triesman, the former FA chairman, denies in the book that the organisation was consciously racist, but said:

"It is more likely if he was white that he would have captained England on more occasions."

Campbell is right of course, for years during the 70’s, and 80’s managers would often say that Black players never liked playing in the cold, and were almost only seen as attackers. But a number of players broke those stereotypes including Brendon Batson, Paul McGrath Des Walker, and Sol Campbell. All were great defenders and leaders at club level, but rarely allowed to lead their country.

What particularly saddens me about this debate, which has characterised tackling racism in English football, has been the lack of Black unity. No sooner does a player claim racist attitudes in the game, then at least two other formers players rush to the airwaves to claim he’s wrong. This time it was Luther Blissett and Ian Wright. The football authorities, sports journalist, and many fans must love watching us tear each other part, whilst in effect stating; ‘there’s no case to answer’.

Of course the FA and football in general can be proud that the gross racial abuse on the terraces is largely a thing of past, but that doesn’t mean a more subtle form of racism doesn’t exist. The constant denial or racism from players such as Wright and Blissett ensures that the status quo remains the same: Foot club boards, virtually all white; football managers, virtually all white; entertainers on the field, more than one third Black.

The truth is that the system will have little imperative to change until the Black footballers change first. Two elements could transform the game and in part wider society: a consciousness of race inequality, and the spirit of Black unity. Game over!

Simon Woolley