Racism in the Eredivisie — and indeed across Europe — is becoming too much to bear. The Dutch first and second divisions have a plan to try to curb racial abuse in football stadiums in the Netherlands.
This weekend, every Eredivisie and KKD (second division) match will kick off with an entire minute of players standing still, a nationwide protest to racism in the country.
On Sunday, Excelsior’s Ahmad Mendes Moreira was racially abused by FC Den Bosch fans in the Eerste Divisie. The match was halted for 10 minutes after Moreira walked off the pitch in the first half when fans called him “negro and cotton-picker.” Moreira was also subjected to songs about Zwarte Piet (Black Pete), a racist caricature part of the Netherlands’ Christmas traditions that many are trying to phase out.
Not long after the match resumed, Moreira scored and cupped his hands to his ears in front of the Den Bosch fans. This prompted Den Bosch coach Erik van der Ven to call Moreiera a “pathetic little man.” The match finished in a 3-3 draw.
View this post on InstagramRacism is spreading beyond the football stands. It’s time to kick it out for good! #saynotoracism
Den Bosch, a club with a history of racist fans, said after the match Moreira mistook the racist taunts as “crow sounds” before going back on its initial statement to agree there was racist abuse coming from its fans.
“We think we have to accept this in 2019,” Moreira said. “Of course you would prefer to talk about the game but I am just angry and disappointed that this still needs to happen.”
I’m sick and tired to see these images over and over! When is it going to stop!!? #SayNoToRacism @KNVB @OnsOranje @UEFA what we going to do? Specially with the upcoming @EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/DUt0y2h8IA
— Memphis Depay (@Memphis) November 17, 2019
Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, who captained the Netherlands for the first time this week, said the incident hit him on a personal level.
“I never expected anything like this to happen in the Netherlands,” Wijnaldum said. “I’m really shocked. It did happen, unfortunately, and the way people have talked about the incident really hurt me. I hope that there will be severe punishments. This really can’t happen again.”
During the Netherlands’ 5-0 win over Estonia on Tuesday in Amsterdam, Wijnaldum celebrated the first of his three goals by making an anti-racism gesture with teammate Frenkie de Jong.
What a night!! Unbelievably honoured to make my debut as captain today, to combine that with 3 goals is just unforgettable So excited for the summer with this incredible squad! We are one team pic.twitter.com/KtuMKuiIGC
— Gini Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) November 19, 2019
Despite campaigns from leagues, UEFA and FIFA, racial abuse toward people of color is not abating in Europe. While Serie A has tried to sweep racism under the rug in Italy, going so far as to saying it’s acceptable (Italy’s problems start in the youth levels), the Eredivisie is at least trying to make a statement against racism.
By halting all matches this weekend for one minute, it will be impossible for soccer fans in the country not to take note and realize the racists are the outliers who must be stopped from harming others just the same as any other criminal would be brought to justice.
After the opening whistle and during the first minute in every first- and second-division match this weekend, players will stand still on the pitch. All stadiums will display the message: “Racism? Then we don’t play football.”
(One can only hope the protests do not end like in a recent Liga MX match when Tigres players scored twice in four minutes as Veracruz players protested unpaid wages by standing still.)
To prevent any unfair advantages by playing one less minute, referees are being instructed to add an addition minute of stoppage time in the first half.
“By making a statement in the field, we give a clear signal from football that enough is real enough,” read a statement from the leagues. “In addition, this has an impact on both football fans and non-football fans.”
Enough Is Enough!! #StopRacism pic.twitter.com/W9Ra38DVFs
— Gini Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) November 19, 2019
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