Sport has an ability to influence and drive human emotion, to intertwine with our personal identities and transform societies.

When I watched the England men’s team collect their silver medals after losing in the Euros 2020 final, in July 2021, I was overcome with sadness. This sadness had nothing to do with losing in the penalty shoot-out; but rather came about from seeing the players so quickly pull off their silver medals, as though allergic to the metal. When did second best in Europe become such a failure?

The answer may be rooted in sport’s inextricable link with competition and winning. If winning is the only standard we expect to achieve then most of us will constantly feel like failures. Instead shouldn’t we celebrate the men’s team reaching their first final of a major tournament since 1966, or keeping the highest number of clean sheets across the competition, or, bigger still reimagining a more diverse and socially conscious football culture?

Gareth Southgate displayed immense dignity and thoughtful leadership throughout his first five-years of managing the Lions. In his reflective and deeply poignant, ‘Dear England’ open letter prior to the championships, Southgate commented this of his players: 

“It’s their duty to continue to interact with the public on matters such as equality, inclusivity and racial injustice, while using the power of their voices to help put debates on the table, raise awareness and educate”. [1]

The past few years have been challenging for individuals and societies alike. The global pandemic has caused devastation across and through communities like nothing ever experienced in recent history. Inequalities and injustice have been exacerbated and also made more visible of late and the focus on combating racism through movements like Black Lives Matter [2] has brought to the fore key human rights issues. The England men’s football team have ‘taken the knee’ [3] for their country since July 2020 as a stand against racial inequalities that continue to trouble our society and sport: an activist stance that has been met with some disproval [4]. Players have been booed by England spectators for this action [5] and also faced criticism from Members of Parliament [6]. 

It seems unfathomable that a mark of anti-racism would come up against such disparagement. Unfortunately, social justice and change never comes easy. Some people may think sport should just stick to sport. This, however, is impossible. Sport is part of society, it’s part of our daily lives, how we live, how we consume and how we enjoy life. Sport as a part of society will always engage with social issues. Similarly, others may believe that politics has no place in sport, again choosing to think that sport is a distinct entity. If politics connects with identities, culture, funding, resources, spaces and places then actually politics is embedded in sport. Another argument might be that players are paid to play football and that alone should be their sole function. This again, is unrealistic. Football fans love players who are passionate, dedicated, committed to club and country. This passion arguably only comes from players being able to be their true selves, displaying their identities, who they are and where they come from. 

As Southgate states there is power in their voices and this power can be used to make meaningful social change. Voice is a word used frequently in academia and beyond when discussing inequalities and injustice. When calling on the UK government to review their free school meals provision during the 2020 pandemic, Manchester United and England player Marcus Rashford stated:

“These children are the future of this country. They are not just another statistic. And for as long as they don’t have a voice, they will have mine”. [7]

Here voice is used as a gift and a gesture for activism, a way to give hope and care to those that need a platform. Rashford is the youngest person to ever top the Sunday Times Giving List due to his philanthropy and contribution to tackle child poverty [8]. His work alone demonstrates that political and sporting realms are not distinct but rather interwoven with shared history and challenges. Voices as we have seen are powerful and everyone is able to use their voice to share ideas, question, develop and enhance experiences. The real difficulty comes from those who use their voice to harm, damage, abuse and cause upset. 

The aftermath of England losing the final of the Euros should have been one of immense pride, celebration and strategic rejuvenation of the England men’s football team. Devastatingly, what followed was online racist abuse targeting Rashford, Sancho and Saka for missing their penalties against Italy. The influence of sport on society is so significant that this high-profile loss caused social unrest and unease. A mural of Marcus Rashford which is situated in his home community of Withington was vandalised after the game. This site of criminality was later repaired and also transformed into a space for protest, activism and voice. Written messages of support, many from children, adorned the wall framing the proud, painted face of Rashford [9]. 

Other acts of defiance have emerged across the country in protest against racism and in favour of unity. These have included over one million people signing a petition to demand those who commit racial abuse (online and/or offline) to receive lifetime bans from attending football matches [10]. Furthermore, Boris Johnson has called upon technology companies to do more to challenge online abuse [11] and the prospect of an Online Safety Bill also seeks to do more to safeguard. Our society is on the cusp of real, meaningful change. There is now an awareness of the systematic and entrenched inequalities that persist within our communities and societies. It is time for everyone across our society to now keep the momentum going. Sport has, and always will, reflect society and sport itself has the ability to inform and transform societal inequalities. 

It is, however, the culture of racism in our society and within our football spaces and places that needs to be addressed. Cultural change is one of the most difficult to challenge due to its embeddedness. The latest FA Strategy, ‘Time for Change’ is aware of this and those in charge ‘are ready to change the game for the better [12]. The government, sporting organisations, educational providers, families, individuals…well everyone; must reflect on their own practices in order to progress society together. The England men’s football team may have lost a significant match this year but more importantly they have helped to develop and shape British culture for years to come. Thank you Gareth Southgate and to every player and staff member involved in the England men’s set-up. I am proud to be English because of you.