Everyday racism and constructions of racial/ethnic difference in and through football talk

Abstract

Earlier research has shown how football media use specific racial/ethnic stereotypes, thereby reinforcing certain hierarchies along the lines of race and ethnicity. We use a cultural studies perspective to explore the discourses surrounding race and ethnicity in football among Dutch multiethnic football media audiences when they talk about football. We have interviewed 30 participants in five focus groups to collect our data. Our analysis shows that everyday football talk mainly reproduces racial/ethnic stereotypes and everyday racisms, and that race and ethnicity intersect with other markers of difference like nation, culture and religion in the discourses people draw on. Which specific difference is prioritized depends on context and interview questions. Furthermore, our analysis shows that ethnic diversity is celebrated and supported but that this support is conditional and combined with reinforcing biologically and culturally informed racisms. Findings are discussed in a wider academic and societal context.

Print Media Narratives of Bullying and Harassment at the Football Association: A Case Study of Eniola Aluko

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“…The constant repetition of such discourses may cultivate and 'naturalize' these meanings. As a result, they can easily become part of common-sense knowledge in wider society thereby reinforcing long standing racialized hierarchies (Müller et al, 2007;Van Sterkenburg et al, 2019). Previous studies have shown how such racialized media discourses may have implications beyond sport participation as well, for example in hindering Black and minority ethnic footballers and athletes to reach leadership positions after their playing career (Bradbury, 2013).…”