Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink Advocates for Stricter Penalties Against Racism in Football
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, the former prolific striker, has called for significantly longer bans for players found guilty of racial abuse, emphasizing that the cycle of racism in football feels endless. He recounts personal experiences during his career and highlights recent high-profile incidents that have thrust the issue back into the spotlight.
Personal Encounters with Racism on and off the Pitch
Hasselbaink, who played for clubs including Atlético Madrid, recalls hearing racist chants and once being spat on by supporters as he left a stadium. "I was the only one being spat on, and I was the only black player in the team really," he says. "Nobody helped me." He describes how such incidents made him feel worthless and isolated, with little support from those around him.
Comparing his experiences to those of Vinícius Júnior, who has allegedly faced racial abuse 20 times in eight years at Real Madrid, Hasselbaink notes he "didn't have it as bad" but stresses the persistent nature of the problem. He points to a recent case where Vinícius accused Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse during a Champions League match, with Kylian Mbappé alleging he heard racist language, though Prestianni denies it.
Challenges in Proving Abuse and Calls for Rule Changes
Hasselbaink expresses frustration over the difficulty in proving such accusations, particularly when players cover their mouths, as Prestianni did. "We all think he has said something, because why is he covering his mouth?" he questions. He supports Fifa president Gianni Infantino's suggestion that players covering their mouths during confrontations should be sent off, advocating for clearer rules to prevent covert abuse.
He also criticizes Benfica's manager, José Mourinho, for linking Vinícius's goal celebration to the incident. "What a hypocrite," Hasselbaink says, referencing Mourinho's own celebratory antics. "Mourinho has black players playing in his team in Benfica. How the hell must they feel?"
Surge in Online Abuse and Impact on Players
The UK Football Policing Unit has reported a 115% increase in online abuse reports over the past year, with recent cases targeting players like Hannibal Mejbri, Wesley Fofana, Romaine Mundle, and Tolu Arokodare. Hasselbaink condemns this trend, noting that abuse after mistakes, such as missed penalties, adds undue pressure. "He's not missing a penalty because he's black. He's missing a penalty because he didn't shoot the ball properly," he asserts.
Reflecting on his role as an assistant to Gareth Southgate with England, Hasselbaink praises players like Bukayo Saka for their bravery in taking penalties despite previous racist backlash. "It shouldn't have to be like that," he says, highlighting the unnecessary hardship faced by athletes.
Proposed Solutions and Frustration with Inaction
Hasselbaink advocates for lifetime bans for fans engaging in racist chants or online abuse and longer suspensions for guilty players, with clubs withholding pay during bans. He is involved with the Football Safety App, founded by Emile Heskey, which allows instant reporting of abuse to clubs and police. "Not enough is being dealt with, it's way too slow," he criticizes.
He expresses exasperation at the lack of decisive action from governing bodies like Uefa, which he says imposes minimal fines. "It's very simple to take a stand on it," Hasselbaink insists, calling for stronger measures to eradicate racism from the sport he loves.
