A Canadian Fijian football club was subjected to racial abuse during the North American Fijian Soccer Association tournament in Fremont, California last weekend.
Sabeto FC, players were called ‘niggers’ and ‘you don’t belong here’ in the group game against Norfolk and again in the quarterfinal against All Blacks.
The racial abuse raises the question on hate crimes.
A reliable source told Sportsone that a complaint was lodged with the referees and the organizers but nothing came out of it.
“Sport is founded on the values of tolerance and respect,” he said.
He said racial abuse and racism has no place in sports, let alone football.
“Hatred and xenophobia have no place in football and in our society.
The source also raised grave concern about the ground conditions and unfair match officials who acted as the 12th man for the USA teams.
“It’s no secret, the grounds were just as bad as the match officials. Canadian teams were unfairly treated.
“Football is a beautiful sport for all to play and enjoy, football unites, it doesn’t play race cards”.
