The former Ghana international was invited to deliver a speech at the United Nations yesterday, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The AC Milan midfielder was targeted by sections of the crowd, when AC Milan faced Pro Patria in a mid-season friendly. Frustrated by the constant abusive chants, Boateng kicked the ball into the stands and marched off the field, with his teammates doing the same in his support.
His actions marked the abandonment of the game, and further sparked concern over a very sensitive issue which is sadly starting to become more and more common everyday tarnishing the name of football.
The 26 year old midfielder is also scheduled to meet FIFA president Sepp Blatter today in Zurich, to have discussions on the issue after the midfielder condemned the governing body claiming that they were not making enough efforts to eliminate racism from the game.
Boateng began his address to the UN, by commenting on the friendly match under study against Pro Patria in which he was racially abused.
“I decided to stop the game and kick the ball into the stands as I felt profoundly angry and offended by the racist insults directed at me from the stands.”
Boateng hailed his teammates for having his back in this difficult time, after they followed Boateng’s motion and left the field with the match being abandoned.
“That gesture alone would not have had any particular resonance. My team-mates, however, immediately followed me off the pitch without a moment's hesitation.”
“The fact the entire team had taken such an equivocal step against racism made news headlines the world over. That's why I'm here today. It's an honour for me to have the chance to speak here today.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are in the year 2013 and racism is still amongst us and is still a problem.” Continued the 26 year old
“Racism is real, it exists here and now. You can find it on the streets, in your office and in football stadiums.
“There have been moments in my life when I didn't wish to face the problem. I tried to ignore it as if it was a headache that would sooner or later go away. I just had to wait.”
“That, however, is an illusion. It won't go away by itself. We have a duty to face racism and to fight it.
“The concept "a bit racist" doesn't exist. There are no tolerable quantities of racism. It's unacceptable regardless of where it happens or the form that it takes.”
The flamboyant midfielder labelled racism as a “disease” and claimed that it is as contagious as malaria.
“When I played for Ghana, I learned how to fight malaria. I think that racism and malaria have a lot in common. “
Boateng further stressed on the importance of eliminating racism from the game, claiming that it will blight minds of young football fans who could easily be infected with this disease.
“Football stadiums, like other places, are full of young people. If we don't fight the stagnation, many of those who are healthy today, could become infected with one of the most dangerous diseases of our time.”
“It's just as important to stand up to racism today as it was in the past. We have to find inspiration from those who have risked their lives for the cause.
Racism however continues to be a growing concern, recent incidents include Tottenham fans being targeted during their away games against Inter Milan and Lyon in Europa League fixtures. Lazio fans have also been found guilty of the act in their side’s Europa League clashes against Borussia Monchengladbach and Tottenham.
It is imperative that the Football governing bodies make a strong response against racism in order to protect the spirit of the game and that such demeaning practices are not allowed to be continued.
His actions marked the abandonment of the game, and further sparked concern over a very sensitive issue which is sadly starting to become more and more common everyday tarnishing the name of football.
The 26 year old midfielder is also scheduled to meet FIFA president Sepp Blatter today in Zurich, to have discussions on the issue after the midfielder condemned the governing body claiming that they were not making enough efforts to eliminate racism from the game.
Boateng began his address to the UN, by commenting on the friendly match under study against Pro Patria in which he was racially abused.
“I decided to stop the game and kick the ball into the stands as I felt profoundly angry and offended by the racist insults directed at me from the stands.”
Boateng hailed his teammates for having his back in this difficult time, after they followed Boateng’s motion and left the field with the match being abandoned.
“That gesture alone would not have had any particular resonance. My team-mates, however, immediately followed me off the pitch without a moment's hesitation.”
“The fact the entire team had taken such an equivocal step against racism made news headlines the world over. That's why I'm here today. It's an honour for me to have the chance to speak here today.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are in the year 2013 and racism is still amongst us and is still a problem.” Continued the 26 year old
“Racism is real, it exists here and now. You can find it on the streets, in your office and in football stadiums.
“There have been moments in my life when I didn't wish to face the problem. I tried to ignore it as if it was a headache that would sooner or later go away. I just had to wait.”
“That, however, is an illusion. It won't go away by itself. We have a duty to face racism and to fight it.
“The concept "a bit racist" doesn't exist. There are no tolerable quantities of racism. It's unacceptable regardless of where it happens or the form that it takes.”
The flamboyant midfielder labelled racism as a “disease” and claimed that it is as contagious as malaria.
“When I played for Ghana, I learned how to fight malaria. I think that racism and malaria have a lot in common. “
Boateng further stressed on the importance of eliminating racism from the game, claiming that it will blight minds of young football fans who could easily be infected with this disease.
“Football stadiums, like other places, are full of young people. If we don't fight the stagnation, many of those who are healthy today, could become infected with one of the most dangerous diseases of our time.”
“It's just as important to stand up to racism today as it was in the past. We have to find inspiration from those who have risked their lives for the cause.
Racism however continues to be a growing concern, recent incidents include Tottenham fans being targeted during their away games against Inter Milan and Lyon in Europa League fixtures. Lazio fans have also been found guilty of the act in their side’s Europa League clashes against Borussia Monchengladbach and Tottenham.
It is imperative that the Football governing bodies make a strong response against racism in order to protect the spirit of the game and that such demeaning practices are not allowed to be continued.
