“Racism and abuse have no place in our society.” It was in this way that Prince William, heir to the British crown, responded to the appeal of the president of the Alpha United Juniors Football Club, Mohammed Waheed, who had asked for the help of the monarch who is also president of the England Football Association (FA, in the original acronym), the governing body of the modality in the country.
O Alpha United Juniors Football Club was created in 2013 with the aim of supporting children and young people in Bradford, North of England, and it thrived mainly thanks to the work of volunteers. The importance of the club was recognized with the Club of the Year award, given by the FA, establishing contacts with clubs of global prestige, from Manchester City to Barcelona. It is currently an exclusive partner of Real Madrid Foundation.
However, success within the four lines (not so much for victories, explains Waheed in a BBC video, but because they can simply kick a ball) has been bittersweet, as the reaction of some people watching the games is to hurl verbal, mostly racist, attacks onto the pitch, even going so far as to physically threaten young children. “Players who are only 7 years old hear slurs and even threats of violence”, he denounced.
The situation left the Prince of Wales “deeply concerned”, reads in William’s letter addressed to Alpha United Juniors, cited by Sky News, in which he claims to have contacted the FA to have the case investigated. “Abominable behavior of this nature must stop now and all those responsible must be held accountable,” said King Charles’s son.
This is not the first time William has spoken out against racism in king sport. In July 2021, the prince declared himself “sick” with the comments he read about Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, repudiating the racist attacks against players of the British national team who missed three penalties in the final of the European Championship, giving the title to the Italian formation.
I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match.
It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour.
It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable. W
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 12, 2021
