⚽️ Mehr als Titel und Tore: Warum der Fußball politisch so einflussreich ist

Unfortunately, lack of diversity and discrimination are not just problems in football but in sports across the board. Imagine a child with talent and dreams of playing professionally. For them to train, they need their parents' support—not just in terms of time to get them to training sessions, but also financially, as the best associations are often expensive. As this child's skills grow, they might need to move to another city, state, or even country to train with top coaches and compete against strong teams. This kind of commitment is out of reach for many, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, unless they are lucky enough to be sponsored by a club. Often, associations, clubs, and trainers are part of an elite circle, and it’s no surprise they tend to favour those who resemble them. This perpetuates a vicious cycle of racism and discrimination in sports. To break this cycle, the way we provide sports opportunities must change. Public schools should offer good infrastructure and foundational training, but we all know they don't. It’s simply not enough. When I was training with the Rugby Sevens team in Brazil, a few facts stood out to me: - I was among the darkest players; there were only two of us. - A few girls were bisexual or homosexual, but they didn't dare to speak openly about it. Reflect on your own experiences: how many queer individuals, people of colour, or those from migrant backgrounds have you seen playing sports alongside you?