Racism and football - my thoughts!

Given the ridiculous events which occurred throughout England's game in Bulgaria last night, I've decided to pen my own thoughts on how racism should be tackled - in a hope that, sooner or later, there's a significant decrease.

First things first, racism is beyond ridiculous, though it's not that unsurprising the subject has reared its ugly head yet again. I have great sympathy for the vast amount of decent Bulgarians, who'll now feel the brunt of the topic in the media over the coming days.

Having visited Bulgaria two years ago, lots of locals were friendly, warm and welcoming - bending over backwards to help, offering advice to avoid scams, and going out there way to ensure I had a pleasant stay and left the country with positive memories.

Both Levski Sofia and CSKA Sofia had matches during my stay, and having attended both games, they were enjoyable and racism-free.

During my days at Mansfield Town, we also signed a goalkeeper, Dimi Evtimov, on loan from Nottingham Forest for a short time. He was very proud of his Bulgarian roots, polite, popular and easy to get along with - going out of his way to buy doughnuts for the entire office at the end of his loan spell when he was recalled by Forest.

That's what the majority of Bulgarian people are like - good, genuine, down to earth folk and I'd have no qualms whatsoever about going back there again!

Yet right now, as a nation they're probably more disgusted and ashamed than anyone else, that a tiny fraction of their society has caused them embarrassment on the world stage. I sincerely hope that they don't get 'tarred with the same brush' in the aftermath of last night's events as that would be grossly unfair and something they don't need.

Ultimately, last night's off-the-pitch events were only one example of a problem which is widespread across the continent.

Scroll back a few months and it was Montenegro who were plagued by the same racism issues. Go back about a year and Croatia were in the spotlight. Delve away from the international scene altogether, and in club football, Cagliari, Slovan Bratislava and Partizan Belgrade have had issues since the start of this season alone.

In my own trips throughout Europe, I've heard racist abuse in the Czech Republic. Stretching back a decade, Russia football was also involved with instances of racism.

So there's a long list, stretching back a long time, which highlight various examples of racism that have occurred within a football environment. It's a widespread problem - and one which by no means is the United Kingdom exempt from as well!

The problem which FIFA/UEFA have now, in the aftermath of so many issues, - and which I'm struggling to work out a solution for, is how they can come remotely close to dealing with the racists and reducing the problems?

Although, eradicating racism (and other types of discrimination) altogether would the ideal result, it's something which is probably a million miles away from happening at the present time. As sad as it sounds, that's the reality of where things are at.

A long-term stadium ban (i.e. for an entire qualifying campaign or even longer) is potentially an option - and, probably, my preferred method of dealing with the issue as it doesn't impact the players who are proud to represent their nation.

Ultimately, why should players - who most likely think those making racist remarks are scumbags anyway - suffer as a consequence of what idiots in the stands do? Ivelin Popov, Bulgaria's captain, clearly wanted those responsible to keep their toxic views to themselves when he pleaded with them to basically 'Shut the f**k up' at half-time in last nights game.

Furthermore, players who might long to play at a major tournament - a dream possibly harboured since their schooldays, shouldn't be denied that opportunity if FIFA/UEFA were to 'dock points' as a punishment or 'throw a country out of international football' - both suggestions which I've seen elsewhere following last night's game!

If a country/set of players register enough points during a qualifying campaign, they deserve to play in the tournament which follows. Irrespective of whether they're followed by a bunch of morons who deem 'discriminatory' behaviour to be acceptable, that dream of playing at an international tournament shouldn't be snatched away.

Simply 'banning' countries from even competing in qualifying campaigns will achieve absolutely nothing - those with a racist mindset will still exist and simply find a different way to fill the void; another outlet to express their ridiculous attitudes.

In my opinion, spectating at an international football game, just like representing your country as a player, should be regarded as an honour - albeit one which comes with a duty and responsibility. If 'poor behaviour' occurs then it should be down to those inside stadiums to self-police matters in the first instance, create a scene if needs be, and say 'This isn't acceptable' and identify the offenders to the police who should always be present instead of stewards on the minimum wage.

Obviously, 'speaking up' at a game is easier said than done, as often the perpetrators/culprits will huddle together in a pack and try and intimidate those nearby.

If people can't 'speak up' though - and racism, homophobia or whatever other discriminatory behaviour ultimately prevails, the 'honour' of being able to watch their national team 'live' should be withdrawn indefinitely and a long-term stadium ban imposed.

Maybe then, once a long-term total spectator ban has elapsed, will the mindset change - who knows? Or maybe even the very threat of a ban will be enough to improve poor behaviour - even if that alone still wouldn't tackle the issue of those who possess a racist mindset.

Another aspect to this, worth consideration, is why are such groups (ultras) allowed to intimidate, huddle together and dictate things inside grounds anyway?

The pathetic and paltry fines which UEFA have dished out over the past decade - on various occasions - simply haven't worked. The fines are as laughable as they are pointless in tackling the seriousness of the issue and getting close to reducing it.

For me, it's high time certain Football Associations across the continent took a tougher stance and implemented stricter and more stringent checks on who they sell tickets to - potentially using methods such as those which are enforced for Italian Serie A or Turkish Super Lig fixtures nowadays (and which came into force following a prolonged spate of crowd problems).

In a worst-case scenario, if a stadium is implemented then it HAS to be a total stadium ban, too - and not the ridiculous and naive policy which UEFA have recently implemented whereby tickets for 'behind closed doors' matches are distributed to schoolchildren (who have to be accompanied by adults). That 'idea' whilst good in principle, only results in tickets falling into the hands of unsavoury ultra-types who are often those who engage in racist or discriminatory behaviour that's deemed problematic in the first instance.

So the 'behind closed doors' measures, in it's current format, just doesn't work.

All things considered, it's important that those of us in the United Kingdom don't 'get on our high horse' and take the moral high ground on issues of bad behaviour elsewhere, given there continues to be a plethora of problems which blight British society (and football) on a frequent basis.

The abuse which players at all levels sometimes receive on social media (albeit, on platforms which just serve as outlets for idiots) is one thing and the ENOUGH campaign which came to prominence at the tail end of last season, clearly, hasn't had any significant effect on addressing that matter.

Nevertheless, there are still many issues which occur inside grounds.

Folk who attend games, might not necessarily make racist remarks, but there are plenty who will still find it perfectly acceptable to 'let off steam' and dish out all kinds of vitriolic, personal or scandalous abuse which would be deemed unacceptable to the normal man on the street.

Watching football shouldn't become like a visit to the theatre and a 'happy-clappy' venue.

A hostile environment with a bit of noise, passion or excitement isn't necessarily a bad thing - far from it. However, there's a line which too many people cross, too often, and it's quite pathetically forgotten with the excuse that football is 'tribal' or 'partisan'.

It's quite frankly ridiculous.

Until there's a significant culture change which seriously affects individuals' mindsets, the reality, in my opinion, is that we'll still be discussing similar issues of racist, homophobic or discriminatory behaviour for many years to come.

The only difference will be which club/country, the culprits are associated with when it happens again and again on various occasions.