Racism in Rugby - Event Date: 21 Oct 2022

I never experienced racism when playing the game, though there were less players in the '70's of colour, I remember a few, usually quick backs, it was always hit the winger, no mention of his colour back then. I have however heard plenty of it as a spectator, not against people of colour ironically, but against "the English". Scots and Irish supporters seem to be the worst when I have been to matches in the last 20 years or so, remember, racism is not just white and black. I have been racially ridiculed as an Englishman living in Scotland, sadly tribalism and nationalism is making it worse, the rise of the SNP is turning Scotland into a less pleasant place to be and that's without mentioning religion, I didn't realise just how deep the hatred between catholics and protestants ran.

My partner is Scottish, and she is embarrassed by the SNP supporters who support anyone except the English. She finds it sad and depressing, and never wants to go back to live in Scotland because of it (and the cold). I’ve also experienced being on a train from Glasgow to Edinburgh full of Scottish soccer fans (they had just lost to Switzerland at Hampden) and the whole carriage except me was singing ‘if you hate the f’ ing English clap your hands ! When I was asked ‘hey your not clapping, where you from ? I said Switzerland and they just shrugged and said ok’. I’m sure if I’d said England, I’d have been abused. Half the Scots couldn’t be nicer, so it’s such a shame the other half act like this. And why it matters to them so much which school you went to (what religion you are) is beyond me !! 

I probably haven’t put what I wanted to say very succinctly.All I wanted to say was in years of managing different ethnic Junior players I never experienced Racism.

Edited by tulip - 26 Oct 2022 at 17:43

I am finding it hard to understand how any rugby squad would except slurs or racial comments . Every rugby related enviroment I have been involved in over a 50 year period and with much higher number of mixed race players . In my experience no players would allow it to manifest into a problem . Most players/ coaches would shut down any person who behaved in that manner.

WEvans wrote: No 7 wrote: I am finding it hard to understand how any rugby squad would except slurs or racial comments . Every rugby related enviroment I have been involved in over a 50 year period and with much higher number of mixed race players . In my experience no players would allow it to manifest into a problem . Most players/ coaches would shut down any person who behaved in that manner. I would agree with that nowadays but a few (well quite a few) years ago those sort of comments were sadly commonplace and accepted as the norm and people simply didn't call them out - witness many TV programmes of the time - so I can quite believe they happened then. I would also like to say that I believe Luther Burrell has behaved with enormous dignity in this matter.

Where is the dignity ?. He should name the people if he feels so strongly about whatever comments or attitudes the c aused him to state that racism is rife in Rugby Union. He would hold more dignity if he named and shamed the people he is referring to in my opinion.

No 7 wrote: Where is the dignity ?. He should name the people if he feels so strongly about whatever comments or attitudes the c aused him to state that racism is rife in Rugby Union. He would hold more dignity if he named and shamed the people he is referring to in my opinion.

I cannot believe that I am reading this thread, well done Richard. 

former9 wrote: I cannot believe that I am reading this thread, well done Richard.  What is Racism? With some discussing historic comedy shows (Oh dear). I think that confirms most have not got a clue. It's more than just words - just saying.

Edited by WEvans - 13 Nov 2022 at 11:54

We don't seem to have a tumbleweed emoji......................................................