UN: Root out racism through sport

The comments made on Tuesday by Sky Sports commentators Andy Gray and Richard Keys about a female match official has once again highlighted another unacceptable facet of prejudiced behaviour within pitch sports.

Swift action was taken against the pair who within days of the comments have been removed from their jobs. Yesterday Gray was fired and Keys quickly resigned.

The sexist remarks came out as casual banter between the men and like similar alienating remarks, that has cause upset and hurt, it make take a while before the men see the harm in it. 

But those who have been on the receiving end of such friendly fire will know the belittling and damaging effects, and something about the the superior attitudes taken by those that speak them.

In most cases action to help eradicate prejudice and bad behaviour is not as swift. And long campaigns must be waged against such attitudes that helps to prop up an unequal and unjust society.

Yesterday a young man from the other side of the world went to Geneva to tell his story of racism in the hope that life for his people will be made more tolerable and bias and prejudice against them will be eased.

Indigenous Australian record-holding footballer, Andrew McLeod, addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva as part of an Australian Football League (AFL) delegation taking part in a forum called 'Combating Racism through Sport’.
 
McLeod’s address to the over 80-strong nation conference in Switzerland coincided with Australia Day and aimed to highlight programs put in place to help eliminate racism in sport and the broader Australian society.

The Programmes were started in1995 to help tackle racism in sport after Aborigine champion, Michael Long, took a stand against being racially taunted on the pitch by another player - thereafter dubbed the notorious ‘Anzac Day incident’.

The brave stand by a lone man in a minority community provided the impetus for the AFL's present racial and religious vilification code. But before that another indigenous football star, Nicky Winmar, also had to make a stand.

Responding to racial abuse from the crowd Winmar proudly lifted his top and pointed to his skin. A small action but a powerful response - considering the Aborigines humble position within the Australia nation.

The UN address is aimed at highlighting the county’s racial vilification laws but cynics would say that the Indigenous address will also benefit the AFL, who is seeking to increase its presence in China, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Lead speaker Andrew McLeod was himself a victim of racism. He retired from the AFL late last year and is now a community engagement and talent coordinator. Before leaving for Geneva McLeod said as well as promoting the AFL's good works, he also aimed to tell the United Nations of the abuse he experienced as a young footballer.

And prior to his UN address he said; "Growing up it was hard to escape (racism), confronting, it was confusing and you wanted to deal with it in a few different ways.

"You'd get a bit upset and want to fight everybody, but you soon work out that doesn't work.

He said; "I'll touch on those experiences, but it's mostly about explaining who my people are."

But getting in before McLeod, a pre-recorded address by AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou was played to the UN. In it he describes the AFL as a leader in the fight against racism in sport and the wider community.

In his speech Demetriou said; "The reality is it took several painful episodes of racial abuse more than a decade ago for us to confront the issue of racism both on and off the field,….. but had since become an "aggressive and purposeful leader of change".

And added that  he hoped the lessons learned and policies implemented by the AFL could be an example for the rest of the world.

Back in Australia, Kevin Rudd a former prime minister’s nephew and campaigner chose Australia Day last year to condemn his country’s treatment of Aborigines and refugees.  To commemorate the day last year he said; "Right from the beginning on Invasion Day in 1788, we have a prison system basically for the Aboriginals since then and it's carried on to this day. We also have a prison-like system for asylum seekers and refugees. Those who do get to make it to this country are imprisoned for no wrongdoing whatsoever”.

Mr Rudd also wore a Ku Klux Klan outfit in protest against racism in Australia and attacks on Indians.

In many cases action to combat racism inches along slowly, but the axe certainly fell hard and fast this week, and two two ex-Murdoch empire football commentators are perhaps not feeling as superior as they did last week.

It’s sad to loose a livelihood, especially under circumstances where the cause, for many, is considered commonplace banter, but a good perspective of cause and effect is to remember the the idiom - one man’s meat is another’s poison.

Winsome-Grace Cornish

Picture: Andrew McLeod (left) coaches Indigenous team