[Skill]

I watched the 'is football racist' show on bbc3? the other day. There was an interview with 2 young asian players who seemed to think they were deserving of a trial at the least) at a professional football club.

Ironically enough even though they painted themselves out to be the victims of racism, they never mentioned themselves playing at a semi pro standard or something. One said he scored about '83 goals in a season and was running games' and the other recconed he was a county captain and therefore thought he was deserving of professional status.

I'd be willing to bet alot of money that if you searched their names in google, little would come up. Being a county captain doesn't equate to deserving of professional recognition either. I personally know a number of county players ... most don't make the game professionally. Anyways, I'd even suspect that this guy wasn't a county captain. As for the other guy claiming he should receive a trial based on his 83 goals - he never mentioned what standard. I'd be 100% willing to say that it was not even at semi pro standard. I would hazard a guess at intermediate level (at best). I know someone called Stewart Yetton who scored 205 goals in 198 games for Truro in about 3 semi professional divisions up to the Conference South. It doesn't make him good enough to be a pro! So why this nonce thinks he deserves professional recognition based on his goal record, only Allah knows.

To me it highlights how alot of Asian people are far away from the reality with the game. I read an article before where around 500 asian youngsters went to a football tournament and apparently because there was no scouts there it was deemed as being racist as they don't want Asians in the pro game etc Why should scouts turn up to look for players just because they are asian? Almost all of these 500 won't even be playing football at a decent level. Delusional.

Firstly there are few asians in the game. Secondly, because there are few players compared to black/white players ... their standard is way below that compared to black/white players. I notice a number of Asians playing football ... it's usually 5 a side football though (lol).

Rather than complain about suffering from racism, I think they should actually a) start playing 11 a side football b) accept that apart from 1/2/3, most currently don't have the potential to be anywhere near a pro and that also they are absolutely nowhere near white/black players at present and therefore should stop expecting professional clubs to come calling c) stop insulting white people with their racism claims.

Thoughts?

[anonstudent1]

(Original post by Skill)
Rather than complain about suffering from racism, I think they should actually a) start playing 11 a side football b) accept that apart from 1/2/3, most currently don't have the potential to be anywhere near a pro and that also they are absolutely nowhere near white/black players at present and therefore should stop expecting professional clubs to come calling c) stop insulting white people with their racism claims.

Thoughts?

I'm Asian and I agree tbh. I think right now there's to much money in the game for people to judge players on race, if they were good enough I think they would get through.
I don't think many Asians believe we're not getting through because of racism, just a loud dumb minority. Its more a question of dedication to sport/football, which isn't big in Asian culture.

[Flair91]

I think the reason why asians are non-existent in the EPL are cultural. It is not encouraged to go into sport. Your more pressured into earning a professional degree or joining the family business then playing sport. These limitations don't exist as much in other groups. The massive presence of non-white players in all divisons of british football prove that the colour of your skin isn't a barriar to playing football professional. Do you really think Man U would give up the chance of having the next Messi because they are of asian extraction?

Anyway I did watch the programme you mentioned I agree with your points, the "county captain" and "83 goals in one season" do not mean a thing in isolation. Lets have a bit more realistic expectations of where your ability can take you.

[rockrunride]

Michael Chopra.

[NDGAARONDI]

(Original post by Skill)
Firstly there are few asians in the game. Secondly, because there are few players compared to black/white players ... their standard is way below that compared to black/white players. I notice a number of Asians playing football ... it's usually 5 a side football though (lol).

There's nothing wrong with five a side football as it can help focus on certain aspects of the game that are more easily ignored in a full sized match, such as emphasis on possession and passing. Additionally, it means that teams can stop lumping it up to a fast black dude up front (are there slow ones besides Heskey?) on a grass pitch that is in a worse condition than the rough of Carnoustie golf course. Plus, indoors football means that players can play all year round and focus on their techniques. Then, when they are up to a good standard they can deal with outdoor environments much more easily without having their technical ability being hindered as much. There are certain traits, such as physique, that are well represented among black players in the EPL. So, unless India has their own Drogba-type of players, they won't get a look in.

[Zerforax]

It's not a sport which is played heavily in South East Asia with cricket being more popular.

Don't think Asians have the same physical attributes in general either (a lot of African/black players are very athletic which can make up for the lower technical ability).

Like others say - youngsters aren't as encouraged to go into sport and if they do, they will probably go into cricket over football.

Imo? Few asians have the necessary work ethic to succeed at the highest level. Those who are bright, go into studies and become doctors and whatnot and many that don't bother with their studies just go completely by the waist side and achieve very little. But the last comment is from my own personal experiences.

[TRS-T]

(Original post by rockrunride)
Michael Chopra.

Half white.

[Clip]

The same people who cry about racism in football will be the same ones who think they're so clever by harping on about it being "all about the money", which to an extent is true.

When big money gets involved - there's only one colour that's important - and that's the colour of your money. If there were talented players of South Asian origin coming through - I don't think anyone would be standing in their way, in fact they'd be scrambling around to hold on to their coattails.

[jordltfc]

I've got the documentary in the Sky planner, yet to watch it but it looks interesting after this post. Agree with you about the 'racism', I bet there are a few sports where white/black people are quite underrepresented for whatever reason. If we play a sport more / take it more seriously than the Asian community, surely it's common sense we will produce better players than them more often than not?

(Original post by Skill)
I know someone called Stewart Yetton who scored 205 goals in 198 games for Truro in about 3 semi professional divisions up to the Conference South. It doesn't make him good enough to be a pro!

You can't deny that's kind of impressive, though

[Straight up G]

From personal experience, there is racism in the game. Anyone who denies that is a tool. Whether that racism holds back Asian players from reaching the highest level, I don't know, and actually, I doubt it does to a massive extent. As others have said, Asians are diverted to other things and it's not respected as a career path, there isn't the family support. It's rare to find British-born footballers these days who've made it without family support, and Asian families are unlikely to support it as much, they are unlikely to get their kids playing in local clubs from a young age. Asians generally play using bins for goalposts or 5 a side, and they don't really produce the technical attributes required to make it into academies (and in fact, are scouted less, obviously), as opposed to organised youth football. I don't think the physique argument is really valid, when compared to white players, apart from in things like stamina, which, again, are taught in age group football clubs which asians generally don't partake in. Asian families often refuse to send their kids to these age group clubs because of the racism that is present there.

Edit: I haven't seen this documentary though

[Mcnubn]

Although I haven't watched the documentary, I do recall an article a few years ago talking about the top 4 clubs taking a keen interest in finding a south asian player with the ability to play at the top level. However the only aim was profits, as they assumed a south asian player on their team would have a monty panesar effect, getting more south asians into the game and giving the club a huge boost in the related market.

Really can't remmeber where the article was >.< will try to find it later

[little_wizard123]

That was one of the poorest programmes I've ever seen.

[marcusmerehay]

The key reason there are so few Asians in the game is because it is light years from being the most popular sport in most Asian countries - generally it tends to be cricket or badminton (among the globally-played sports).

There are a number of players of Asian heritage who have come through Premier League academies, or have indeed made it as professionals here - Phil Younghusband or Shwan Jalal for example - but the fact football is only just becoming popular in those countries means a lot of people are not turning their hand to it at a young enough age to realise any potential, particularly with such poor training infrastructures.

In short: It's not racist, they're just not good enough.

[punkski]

"Asia" is a huuuuuuuuge continent.

you can't compare footballing newbies like India and Pakistan to countries like Japan or Korea who i think produce as many good players as Croatia or Sweden.

i can't believe people still refer to "Asia" as a location without specifying.

[TRS-T]

(Original post by punkski)
"Asia" is a huuuuuuuuge continent.

you can't compare footballing newbies like India and Pakistan to countries like Japan or Korea who i think produce as many good players as Croatia or Sweden.

i can't believe people still refer to "Asia" as a location without specifying.

When we talk about Asains (in the UK), we are referring to South Asians - Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans etc.

[punkski]

(Original post by TRS-T)
When we talk about Asains (in the UK), we are referring to South Asians - Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans etc.

thanks for the clarification man, this is actually really new to me! in central Europe, 'Asian' generally refers to far east nations.

[VQG]

(Original post by TRS-T)
When we talk about Asains (in the UK), we are referring to South Asians - Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans etc.

That is actually the Indian Subcontinent, and the people from there are South Asians. Think we need a term to group them all - Sasians?