Inequality in Premier League’s ‘anti-racism’ stance

“At this time, the terms ‘systemic racism’ and ‘anti-racism’ are being used in a manner which twists and turns in attempts to keep pace with the direction in which the wind is blowing,” writes Steve Rutchinski. [1]

This is the case in professional sport, dominated by big oligopolies, as exemplified by the big football federations. The Premier League is defining individual players on the basis of colour of skin, while turning a blind eye to anti-Irish racism. As a result it is facing allegations of a growing disparity in the handling of abuse in professional soccer. Together with the media in its service, it too is defining individuals as something other than members of the polity with equal rights.

Stoke and Ireland star James McClean is publicly questioning why some professionals have been treated differently to others in regard to online discrimination and abuse. He said no one has ever been held accountable for the torrent of anti-Irish abuse he’s been subjected to, in contrast to Premier League stars subjected to racism based on skin colour.

Saudi bid for Newcastle, English Premier League soccer team

The reported effort by the state-run Saudi Public Investment Fund to buy the Newcastle United football club has prompted an opposition campaign by human rights organizations.

A general view outside St James’ Park on March 14, 2020, as the Premier League is suspended due to the number of coronavirus cases growing around the world | REUTERS/Scott Heppell.

By Neil Curry

(April 29) – It’s been more than six weeks since a soccer ball was last kicked in the English Premier League (EPL). Liverpool FC and its star Egyptian striker and folk hero Mo Salah had been within a whisker of securing the championship title when the gates to stadiums were locked following the novel coronavirus outbreak. With the terraces empty, and millions of football fans around the world lamenting the loss of their beloved game, passions have been redirected to competition off the pitch.

US sports stars train with Israeli military

By Michael F. Brown

American football player Hunter Henry of the Los Angeles Chargers visited Israel and occupied East Jerusalem earlier this year and offered his view on Armageddon | Scott Winters, Sportswire

For the immediate future, major professional team sports are done. There are no live games to watch or attend.

Kaepernick’s ex-teammate Eric Reid files collusion grievance against NFL cartel

AP | NEW YORK (May 2) —The NFL players’ union says former San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid filed a grievance against the league, alleging that he remains unsigned as a result of collusion by owners.

In this Sept. 10, 2017, file photo, then-San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid (35) kneels in front of teammates during the playing of the national anthem before a game against the Carolina Panthers.  (MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Trump comments on NFL players are a demand for loyalty

ANTHEM PROTESTS TARGETED U.S. STATE | ATHLETES REFUSING TO BE SILENT

Kappa Alpha Psi alumni chapter in Detroit march. The demonstrators expressed their firm support for alumni quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

In an interview on Fox & Friends that aired today, Trump praised a newly-adopted NFL policy banning kneeling during the anthem, saying of the athletes that “maybe you shouldn’t be in the country” if you don’t stand for the anthem. “I think that’s good,” Trump said in the interview that taped Wednesday. “I don’t think people should be staying in the locker rooms, but still I think it’s good. You have to stand proudly for the national anthem. Or you shouldn’t be playing, you shouldn’t be there. Maybe you shouldn’t be in the country.” 

NFL cartel bans players from kneeling during US anthem

The measure aims at players’ protests against police brutality and racism and enforces Trump’s demands for loyalty to the US state

Michael Zagaris/Getty Images (Click to enlarge)

The owners of NFL teams have agreed on a new policy banning players from kneeling down when the national anthem is played, directly aiming at protests opposing police brutality and killings of unarmed African Americans, and impunity for these crimes that were the centre of national debate in 2016 and 2017 after former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kicked off the peaceful protest.

An affront to history: Giro d’Italia’s ‘sport-washing’ of Israeli apartheid

Despite Italian media’s partaking in Israel’s ‘sport-washing’, hundreds of Italians protested at various stages of the race. Israel paid $12 million to RCS Sport for the Giro promotion. | RAMZY BAROUD* 

A rider practises opposite to the David Tower of Jerusalem’s Old City before the beginning of Stage 1. | Reuters

For the first time since its inception in 1909, the legendary Italian cycling race, Giro d’Italia kicked off outside Europe and, strangely enough, from the city of Jerusalem on May 4.

Salt Lake Winter Olympics: US military spied on domestic groups

“United States military intelligence spied on Planned Parenthood and other domestic groups as part of US security preparations for the 2002 winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, according to a recently declassified military document obtained by a civil liberties group” | JOHN BYRNE, rawstory.com           

(Feb 2, 2010) – United States military intelligence spied on Planned Parenthood and other domestic groups as part of US security preparations for the 2002 winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, according to a recently declassified military document obtained by a civil liberties group Thursday.

Three years after Israeli attack that ended their careers, ex-soccer players call on FIFA to protect Palestinian rights

Jawahar Halbiyeh and Adam Jamous three years after they were shot and injured | Mondoweiss/Sheren Khalel

By SHEREN KALEL*

(April 24) – Adam Jamous and Jawahar Halbiyeh will never forget their last ever soccer practice, even if it was three years ago. It was nearing the end of winter on the last day of January — they were tired and it was late. Their hometown, in a section of occupied Jerusalem that lies on the West Bank side of the separation wall known as Abu Dis, is usually quiet by 10:30 when they were walking home. The sharp whiz of the first bullet cracking through the air came as a surprise.

Child footballers killed by Israel get no justice

By Ali Abunimah*

(Aug. 29) – On 16 July 2014, Israeli forces fired missiles that killed the four Baker boys – Ahed, Zakaria, Muhammad and Ismail – as they played soccer on a Gaza City beach.

The killing of the boys, all aged between 10 and 11, was witnessed by international journalists at a nearby hotel.