JDT: No room for racism in Bangsa Johor football

RACISM has reared its ugly head once more in Malaysian football and it makes you wonder if it will ever stop, especially when there are officials downplaying the matter or even denying it altogether, despite it being seen (or heard) by all who were there.

According to an NST report, Selangor forward, Ifedayo Olusegun, was racially abused during a recent match. Unfortunately, the news didn't get much traction or widespread coverage.

It wasn't the first time and unfortunately, will not be the last despite anti-racism campaigns by international and local football governing bodies.

Foreign players of African origin and locals from minority groups have often alleged at being on the receiving end of racist remarks.

One case even caught the attention of BBC, but instead of addressing the issue, certain quarters went on the defensive mode, stating he wasn't performing and such. That is beside the point as there were racist remarks made. 

Fans of the same team were also accused of racial remarks towards their own player and head coach last year, and there have been plenty of occasions over the years by fans of other teams too, many of which were swept under the rug. 

Just yesterday, former Malaysia international, Junior Eldstal, told The Star that he too was racially abused. 

The Star also carried an extensive feature on the subject matter in 2019 but the topic didn’t receive widespread coverage. 

One local newspaper even carried the heading 'Apa lagi Cina mahu?' on its cover years back but the message in Johor is clear — there is no room for racism with the Bangsa Johor concept.

His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, Sultan of Johor, sent a loud and clear message just last month. The Bangsa Johor concept may have come under some criticism in the past but it is successfully fostering unity and a sense of belonging.

The same sentiment is being echoed by Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (JDT) as well as the fans, who have different origins but come together as one under the JDT family banner, as you can see here.

In the stands at the top of the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium are red sears that display a message that you may come from different backgrounds or places, but if you support the club, you are one of us. 

Having spoken to some of the Indian players at JDT and from my own personal experience since joining the club in 2018, there has yet to be a single racial remark made thus far.

The club started sending anti-racism messages before every match well before the Malaysian Football League (MFL) started doing it. In fact, I was in a meeting with JDT owner and then MFL chairman, HRH Major General Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Crown Prince of Johor, when His Royal Highness contacted MFL regarding the use of anti-racism messages before every Malaysian League match.

That message needs to be driven home by all parties beyond that of football; there needs to be a concerted effort to end bigotry once and for all. ─ The Vibes, 4 March, 2021