Racism in sport

Racism in sport is a problem which is manifest around the world. It has led to a wide range of controversial incidents which have been reported in the media.

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) released a report claiming that racial abuse and vilification is commonplace in Australian sport.

Controversial incidents of racism in sport
The following incidents of alleged racism in sport received significant attention in the media.

Association Football
Association Football has a history of racism events. Some players may be targeted because of their association with an opposing team. However, there have been instances of individuals being targeted by their own fans.

Some significant policies aimed at reducing racism in Association Football include Football Against Racism in Europe, Show Racism The Red Card, Rasismul strică fotbalul in Romania not all passed.

Australian Football
Australian Football has a history of racism, including some significant events, however the Australian Football League's racial vilification code has gone some way to reducing racism in the sport.

Cricket

 * 17 October - Indian crowds of up to 40,000 people at a cricket match in Vadodara and Nagpur threw racist taunts at Andrew Symonds resulting in official complaints to the International Cricket Council.

Golf

 * 2008
 * Broadcaster Kelly Tilghman is suspended from The Golf Channel after joking about Tiger Woods being "lynched in a back alley" during final round coverage of the Mercedes-Benz Championship.

Rugby League

 * 2007
 * Anthony Mundine made publicity by claiming that New South Wales as racist state in terms of the sport of rugby league and that it is one of the reasons he quit the sport to take up boxing.


 * 2010
 * News.com.au reports that television commentator and former rugby league great Andrew Johns had been banned for allegedly calling Greg Inglis a "black c***" while addressing the New South Wales rugby league team. Additionally it was alleged that Johns had referred to Timana Tahu as a "black c.***, "Abo", "c**n", "n****r" and "monkey".