5 footballers who responded brilliantly to racism

#1 Kevin-Prince Boateng

Boateng was one of the very first to take a stand against racism

Kevin-Prince Boateng can be identified as one of the few footballers who took a stand against racism both on the pitch and publicly. AC Milan were playing a mid-season friendly against fourth-tier Pro Patria during the Serie A winter break in January 2013.

However, the game was shadowed by controversy when the Pro Patria fans were directing racial slurs and insults towards the former Ghana international, as well as Urby Emanuelson, while Sulley Muntari and M'Baye Niang were also reportedly targeted. Boateng reacted by tearing off his shirt and walking off the pitch and was followed by his teammates.

The game was abandoned following the protest of the players. He received support not just from his teammates and manager, Massimiliano Allegri, but also through social media when fellow footballers weighed in on the situation in support of his actions to combat racism.

This was the first time any professional footballer responded so strongly to racism on the field through protest by refusing to continue the game and leaving the pitch.

It was necessary to prove that racism in football was not going to be tolerated. A couple of months later, Boateng was enlisted by then FIFA President, Sepp Blatter to help drive racism out of football in coordination with the United Nations.

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