Is racism back to haunt English Football?

“Black players have contributed appreciably to English football and turned the racist abuse that surfaced in the 1980s into history. The recent pattern of racial cases is unexpected.”

Ellis Cashmore, Professor of Culture, Media and Sport at Staffordshire University

Researchers at Staffordshire University have launched a new online survey which aims to assess the levels of racism in football.

The latest phase of the Topfan research follows the recent outbreak of racial abuse directed towards football players and pundits.

Ellis Cashmore, Professor of Culture, Media and Sport, said the new research titled, “Racism and football in the 21st century”, will explore the perspectives of fans on the recent scandals involving racism in football.

For Cashmore and co-researcher Dr Jamie Cleland, Senior Lecturer in Sports Sociology at Staffordshire University, the new project follows up their research into fans' attitudes towards homosexuality in football.

Professor Cashmore, whose article, ‘Glasswing Butterflies’, is published this week in the Journal of Sport and Social Issues, said:  “Our research into homosexuality revealed fans have become more liberal, inclusive and approving of diversity.

“Now we want fans to share their views on the new pattern of events that seem to be racial in character.

“Black players have contributed appreciably to English football and turned the racist abuse that surfaced in the 1980s into history. The recent pattern of racial cases is unexpected.”

Jamie Cleland added: “Racism demands our attention. Topfan’s approach is to ask fans what they think and we expect a strong response as more incidents continue to emerge.

“To understand this pattern we need to know what fans truly think, this is why participants of the survey remain anonymous.”

Cashmore believes highly publicised on-field altercations, such as Chelsea and England captain John Terry’s alleged racist slur towards Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand in a recent Premier League contest, could explain recent patterns of abuse.

“The impression given of fans in the media is misleading. Our previous research based on the views of football fans and industry professionals challenged the belief that players choose not to reveal their sexual orientations because they fear fans’ reactions.

“Instead it discovered gay players are known to other players, referees, managers and other industry professionals but remain silent because they are advised against it by agents and clubs.

“It could be argued that many of the recent instances of racism have started on the field, initiated by players and some fans have been inspired to tweet or shout abuse.”

The Racism and Football in the 21st Century survey goes live today (December, 1). To participate anonymously visit Topfan.co.uk.