- Jan 20, 2013
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Playing devil's advocate here, is it not sort of admitting defeat to just say 'black players should avoid Russia like the plague'? It's quite a regressive attitude, and is likely to ensure there is no change in the systemic racism which is obviously there. Jus' sayin'.
I completely agree with you, and in fact I even hesitated with my comment on such a premise. I'm actually glad to see someone step up to bring it up.
However, it is not the responsibility of the players or their families to instigate eventual change. I think we can all appreciate what football can do to eliminate racism, but I hope for a more long term approach by exposure than putting some of these players directly in the face of harm. If they are willing to undertake such a move in their journey through life in full knowledge of what transgressions they may risk facing while there, then I fully support them in it. Props to them even. But the extent and degree to which dark-skinned players go there and want right back out shortly after is quite alarming. When there are so many parties far closer to the players and far more interested in their own pockets than these players' integrities and lives, and since footballers are not always the most educated and aware people on earth, I feel more people should stand up in defense of these guys and inform them of the risks of going to arguably the most racist and hateful place on earth.
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