Page 37 - Issue 9

Sports

Racial bias in English

football commentary

acial bias is a clear and significant “To address the real impact of structural this is not the case across a large sample
Rproblem in English football racism, we have to acknowledge and size indicates there is bias in the way
commentary, this is according to a address racial bias,” the PFA’s equalities the media discuss players based on the
groundbreaking study that found players executive, Jason Lee, said. “This study colour of their skin.”
with lighter skin are regularly and shows an evident bias in how we describe But along with the piece of commentary
overwhelmingly praised for intelligence, the attributes of footballers based on that focuses on how “fit and strong” Real
work ethic and quality compared with their skin colour.” Madrid’s Ferland Mendy is, they harden
those with darker skin, who are reduced RunRepeat’s research took six months the view of black athletes being less
to physical and athletic attributes.
and centred on 20 games from each intelligent and hard-working and able
The study was carried out by RunRepeat, league in the 2019-20 season. Only to succeed only because of their “God-
a Danish research firm, and is the first English-language commentary was given” physical and athletic attributes.
aimed at understanding whether the analyzed in order to avoid errors caused That leads to racism, including the lack
football media talks differently about by inaccurate translations and this was of opportunities black former players
players depending on their skin tone. sourced from seven broadcasters: Sky receive in coaching, management and at
More than 2,000 statements from Sports, BT Sport, FreeSports, beIN boardroom level.
commentary on 80 games across the Sports, TSN, NBCSN and ESPN.
Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and In the commentary analyzed by “Commentators help shape the
Ligue 1 were analyzed. RunRepeat, 643 players were referenced perception we hold,” said Lee, the
former Nottingham Forest, Charlton
RunRepeat ratio-adjusted its numbers and each was designated a skin-tone and Watford forward. “It’s important
to account for the fact there were 1,361 value between 1-20 based on those to consider how far-reaching those
comments about lighter-skinned players assigned in the database of Football perceptions can be and how they impact
and 713 about darker-skinned players Manager 2020, the latest version of the footballers once they finish their playing
and found the former group more widely popular computer game, with 1-11 career.
praised for intelligence (62.60 per cent), classified as “lighter skin tone” and 12-20
hard work (60.40 per cent) and quality as “darker skin tone”. RunRepeat focused “If a player has aspirations of becoming a
(62.79 per cent). Commentators are also on skin tone because it felt focusing on coach or manager, is an unfair advantage
6.59 times more likely to talk about the race would lead to misidentification. given to players that commentators
power of a player if he has darker skin A total of 2,074 commentary statements regularly refer to as intelligent and
and 3.38 times more likely to reference were collated and split across 11 industrious, when those views appear to
his pace. categories, with the differences in praise, be a result of racial bias?”
The study also found that 63.33 per criticism and references to intelligence, How the football media, and broadcasters
cent of criticism from commentators in quality, hard work, power and speed especially, react to the study, particularly
regards to the intelligence of a player is the most startling. As the report concerning the heightened “Black Lives
aimed at those with darker skin, while states: “Players with lighter skin tone Matter” following the killing of George
the figure for quality is 67.57 per cent. should receive the same proportion of Floyd in the US by a white policeman
comments about, for example, their that has sparked protests globally against
The study has received the backing of the intelligence or their work ethic as racial discrimination, is a matter of wait
Professional Footballers’ Association. players with darker skin tone. The fact and see.

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