Society should learn anti-racism lesson from football, says Wenger

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

Society could learn a valuable lesson from soccer in the ongoing struggle against racial discrimination, according to former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

The killing of unarmed black man George Floyd by a white policeman in Minneapolis last month has prompted a wave of protests across the world and focussed attention on the Black Lives Matter movement.

Soccer players have shown their support for the movement and Wenger believes the fact that so many black players have made the grade shows the sport does not suffer from racism.

“I would say football is by essence anti-racist,” Frenchman Wenger said in an interview with BeIN Sport on Friday.

“Why? Because you know that no matter if you’re the son of the King of England or if you’re black or white or red — if you’re good you play.

“And I would even say that football is an example of how the whole of society should work, because it’s only based on merit and quality. If you’re good enough, you play.

The Premier League returns next week after a three-month suspension because of the coronavirus pandemic and while the top-flight clubs appear well-insulated against the likely economic devastation, Wenger fears lower level clubs could struggle to survive without fans in stadiums.

“I don’t worry for the Premier League. You worry more for the 65 clubs who lose money (by playing behind closed doors),” Wenger said. “We live in a world today that’s focussed on grouping the elite. You know well the case in England. In England the leagues are dying.”

 

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