A current study shows: Black athletes often experience racism in German sports clubs. There is little awareness of the problem among white members.
Racist jokes in the locker room, coaches who deny black players tactical skills, or referees who ignore racist insults – these are just a few of the experiences that black athletes describe in a new study from the University of Wuppertal.
The research team has for their new study “Racism and criticism of racism in club sports” Eleven athletes of African origin were interviewed about their experiences in German sports clubs. “The interviews with the athletes show that racism is omnipresent in club-organized sports”says Alessa Heimburger, one of the authors of the study.
Different Perception of racism
However, many sports club members have a different perception. This is shown by the results from the second part of the study, for which more than 3,000 – predominantly white – club members were surveyed.
Among other things, members should rate how racist they think different situations are. If bananas were thrown at a black athlete during a tournament, 80 percent of those surveyed would consider it as such “definitely racist”.
However, if only pork is served at a club event even though there are many Muslims at the event, or if a Muslim athlete is repeatedly asked where she comes from, only a quarter or fewer of those surveyed will answer that this is the case “definitely racist” be.
“Few Problem awareness for structural racism”
“While individual racist cases are often recognized, there is a lack of knowledge about structural racism,” says Tina Nobis, head of the research project: “There is obviously still relatively little awareness of the everyday, structural, subtle racism described by the athletes interviewed, especially among white club members.”
The survey also shows that there is more silence about racism in sports clubs than it is talked about. Because almost half of the sports club members are of the opinion that discussions about equality, discrimination or anti-racist work are not necessary.
That’s a problem, says researcher Nobis: “Because if racism is not discussed, racism will always be normalized to a certain extent and not scandalized.” This in turn makes it more difficult to name racism and to implement criticism of racism.
Results affect German sports youth
The study is part of the “(Anti-)Racism in German Sport” project, which the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and the German Sports Youth (DSJ) started at the beginning of 2023. The results of the independent study are not surprising, says Elena Lamby, head of the social policy department at the DSJ.
But the descriptions of the black athletes still affect them. “Sports clubs must be a place where people have the right to be protected and not to experience discrimination”Lamby demands. It is good that there is now a study that shows clubs and associations weak points in their anti-discrimination work: “If we look at the structural things, then to be honest we are at the beginning.”
Lamby focuses, for example, on the work of discrimination complaint bodies. 40 percent of the members surveyed stated that their club had such a contact point. But nine of the eleven black athletes interviewed complain that there are no independent contact persons on racism in their clubs.
Contact points Discrimination need to be optimized
The research team cites as a possible explanation for the discrepancy that the sports club members also thought of other contact points, for example for sexual violence. But it could also be the case that the complaint offices exist, but they are not well known enough.
Sports organizations must reflect accordingly on whether their contact points are staffed in a trustworthy enough manner and communicated well enough, says DSJ official Lamby.
“Racist statements are being normalized”
Anti-racism work in sport is currently being made more difficult by general social trends. “If we look at the public discussions, we are at the point where racist statements are being normalized.”said Lamby. This makes it more difficult for people who are not affected by racism to recognize subtler forms of racism. An educational offensive is therefore needed.
The research team also sees it this way: At the end of the study, the researchers are suggesting mandatory anti-racism measures.Workshops for people in key positions – such as referees or coaches. The German Sports Youth has already developed corresponding modules. The association also offers a self-check for clubs to help them build reliable structures against racism.
More diversity required in sports committees
Lamby cites the composition of club and association committees as another lever. People of Color are often underrepresented there; this is also a deficiency that is discussed by the black athletes in the study.
At association level, where networks often decide on committee composition, a quota could help, says Lamby. Clubs need “Engagement Managers”which target people in the club in order to convince them of volunteer work and to help them with it.
Researcher Alessa Heimburger learned what difference this can make through interviews with black athletes. An athlete reported that racism was dealt with openly in her club. “And she combines this with the fact that the board of her club consists of people who are themselves affected by racism.”says Heimburger.