The following incidents of racism, xenophobia, extreme nationalism or homophobia have been reported to Fare during April 2020. This list is only likely to reflect a proportion of the incidents that occurred.

All reports have been brought to Fare’s attention through eyewitness or media accounts. A Fare observer scheme is also currently at place at UEFA club and national team competitions to monitor discriminatory behaviour.

Fare sends trained international observers to record discriminatory incidents at UEFA Champions League, Europa League, European Qualifiers and UEFA EURO 2020 as well as FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Preliminary Competition.

Fare has third party reporting status with UEFA, and FIFA on international matches, and at a national level we can support incident reports made by our members.

The general public can keep us informed of national and international level incidents through the reporting form here.

Note: Football matches have been suspended worldwide in the second part of March due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) global pandemic and the corresponding quarantine measures by most countries in the world.

Media/ Social Media/ E-sport

11 April 2020 – Netherlands – AZ Alkmaar

AZ Alkmaar E-sports player Aristote Ndunu was racially abused during two game streams in a row - being called the n-word and receiving monkey noises from some viewers.

12 April 2020 – India

Amid the issues that Indian has been facing during COVID-19 pandemic there have been reports emerging that North East Indians are being racially discriminated. Twitter handle Women’s Football India (@WomensFootieIND) has sent out a strong message against this malpractice featuring Oinam Bembem Devi, a footballer who hails from Manipur. The tweet states that “Oinam Bembem Devi is not a ‘CHINKI.' She have been labeled “China ka maal”, “half Chinese” and “Chinki” on social media.

17 April 2020 – Scotland – Instagram

Armstrong Okoflex was racially abused on Instagram after calling out a fan who made a sectarian joke on his Instagram stream.

Sanctions

17 April 2020 – English FA – Grimsby Town - Elliott Whitehouse

Grimsby midfielder Elliott Whitehouse has been charged by the Football Association with racist abuse towards a Northampton player during two clubs' League Two clash on 23 November 2019.

21 April 2020 - English League One – Sam Finley - Accrington Stanley v Rochdale

Accrington Stanley player Sam Finley called Rochdale’s Paul McShane a “pikey” in a League One game on 01 January 2020, a racist word used against Roma and Traveller communities.
Finley denied using the word but told the FA: “I did make reference that Paul should go back to his caravan and that I was referencing his being Irish in doing so.”

Sam Finley was banned for 8 matches by the English FA.