Selling the game short: An examination of the role of antiracism in British football

During the last decades racism has been a persistent scar on British footba ll, and yet the problem has often gone unacknowledged and unchallenged by t he game's authorities. However, in recent seasons, significant antiracist p rograms have been developed within the context of British football, and the situation has been drastically transformed. This study provides a critical review of these schemes and contests that they have limitations arising fr om simplistic assumptions about the nature of racism. It is argued that a t endency to conflate racism solely with fascism or with hooliganism provides too narrow a focus and that antiracist interventions should be more cogniz ant of the diversity of racisms within football. Despite the progress that has been made, it is suggested that the football authorities need to develo p more concrete programs to ensure that racism is more effectively challeng ed and that the game is opened up to all members of society.