Thread by @pvrisiann, Racial Stereotyping of Positions in Football|THREAD| People naturally believe African/black player = [...]

Racial Stereotyping of Positions in Football

|THREAD|

People naturally believe African/black player = pace and power. This is a stereotype in football and in other sports that’s usually highlighted but never really expanded upon.

We haven’t even scratched the surface.

Research has shown that players with a darker skin tone are given peripheral or less important roles on the field (wide midfielders, wide forwards, fullbacks) while lighter skinned toned players are played in more commanding or “thinking” roles (central midfield, goalie, striker)

This is a big reason why there’s a lack of black world class goalkeepers, attacking midfielders, and strikers.

Black players are made to play wide “less important” roles such as winger or fullback because their job is simple: stay wide, dribble to goal or cross.

Why is it that players such as Mason Greenwood, Thomas Partey, Kylian Mbappe and even Paul Pogba are always congratulated because of their physical characteristics such as speed, strength, endurance or a classic one said by most English commentators, their “strong engine”?

Former footballer turned pundit, Mark Lawrenson, made
the following statement about former Middlesbrough Football Club’s Adama Traore: “When he has to
think about things, he struggles, [but] when it’s instinctive, it’s easy”.

Such comments may first appear harmless , if an a person repeatedly suggests
that certain characteristics are representative of a social group (that darker skin toned
players lack game intelligence), this suggests that stereotypes are being drawn upon in the
evaluative process.

Stereotypes are the typical picture that quickly comes to mind when considering a specific social group. However, the speed in which stereotypes can be recalled often comes at the expense of considering individual qualities (e.g Zakaria is black so he’s a powerful midfielder).

This racial categorization and stereotyping can be seen in other sports such as running. Kenyans for example are always thought to be good long distance runners. This isn’t true.

Physical attributes don’t stem from skin color but the environment one is raised in.

Another reason why black players aren’t usually given central/creative roles occurs from “racial stacking”. This is when a member of a social group is aware of a negative stereotype related to the task being undertaken, their performance may be affected negatively or positively.

This is also referred to as ‘stereotype threat’ and suggests that it is the by-product of one's reduced working memory capacity. Similar to ‘choking’ when under pressure. This can be a reason why player like Lukaku, Traore etc may not be the best in front of goal.

Racial stacking also affects black players who usually play attacking midfield or goalkeeper. Because of their awareness to the racial categorization in the climate this has caused them to lack total concentration sometimes.

Onana to RMC Sport: “Clubs do not have faith in black goalkeepers. That’s a reality. You just have to look. It is not me who is saying it… I am not a specialist on training sessions. They have their reasons. We must often see that black goalkeepers lack concentration then…”

Why doesn’t anyone talk about Mbappe’s movement and intelligence?

What about Greenwood’s technique and ambidexterity, a skill most players don’t have.

What about Pogba’s elegance and vision?

It’s time for commentary not only in football, but in all sports to evolve.

I could’ve written way more especially about how black coaches are affected but I kept it short.

Anyways rts and support greatly appreciated

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