An under 13’s coach at Leicester Nirvana FC was informed by his players that they had been discriminated against on the pitch.
In a Sunday fixture against Barrow Town in Leicestershire, players at Leicester Nirvana told their manager that they had received abusive and hurtful comments that they themselves described as racist.
Midway through the first half one player, aged 12 years of age, was told to, ‘go back to Egypt’. He informed his manager, who intern told the referee, who said they did not hear anything but would keep an eye on things. At half time another player revealed he too had been told to ‘go back to Africa’. The abuse however did not stop there, and in the second half another player was told to ‘go and have a bath’. These comments were made by the opposing players who themselves are also 12 to 13 years of age.
The manager for Leicester Nirvana said, “I am absolutely disgusted with the comments that were made against my players. I am also very disappointed by the dismissive way our County FA have brushed aside the experience our 12 year old boys have endured. Personally, I have a mind to walk off the pitch the next time this happens and unfortunately, there will be a next time.”
The club, had shared their frustration with the Leicestershire and Rutland County FA, who told them that ‘after further discussion with their discipline department and based on the evidence provided, they would not be able to raise any disciplinary charges as there is not a realistic prospect that the charge would be found proven.’
Zak Hajat, Chair of Leicester Nirvana said, “This is a common problem in grassroots football and one that has not gone away. We would urge those who can change processes to really take a hard look at what these experiences are doing to our children. It simply cannot continue.”
The club has done so much to raise awareness and have conversations about what needs to change from writing a report poignantly entitled 'Racism and Resistance' in 2013, to surveys ‘Discrimination in Sport, to conferences, one of them specifically young people to participate freely in discussions of race and equality; as well as numerous articles and news appearances.
Leicester Nirvana are asking for a review into the contextual safeguarding of children, their experiences of racism and whether our current safeguarding policies and practices are fit for purpose.
