Racial Profiling

A RATHER interesting pattern has emerged in modern sports coverage over the last two or three years. Whenever a television screen is filled with thousands of English football supporters and two Black or Asian fans can be seen celebrating in a tempestuous sea of white faces, the next shot will feature a close-up of those very same individuals. I would love to hear the pre-match instructions as they are issued to the camera crew:

“Try to squeeze in as many immigrants as you can, Fred, I’ll buy you a pint for every one you pick out.”

After all, not only are we regularly informed that Race is a social construct but there are plenty of black and brown faces on the pitch and most have more than enough talent to justify their presence.