Kick It Out, an anti-discrimination organisation, has written an open letter to British media editors denouncing the conspicuous usage of Bukayo Saka’s image by several outlets to illustrate England’s defeat by Iceland.
England suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat at Wembley Stadium on Friday, their final warm-up game before Euro 2024. Saka replaced Anthony Gordon in the 65th minute and did not play when England surrendered. Images of Saka were heavily featured by a lot of outlets following the game or as the primary web image while the game was still playing.
Related: World-class, but misunderstood, Harry Kane remains England’s form horse.
Kick It Out recognized that “a lot of work” had gone into diversifying the media industry, and that the industry had highlighted how perpetrators of discrimination had been brought to justice, but it urged the media to remember their “responsibilities to not only report on but actively combat” discrimination.
Tony Burnett, CEO of Kick It Out, wrote in an open letter that many fans may have wondered if anything had changed since Saturday morning.
“Heading into Euro 2024, fans are rightly asking whether the current England squad will see a repeat of what happened to Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho after the last Euros final where all three suffered terrible online abuse because of their actions on the field. It’s a question we have been asking ourselves at Kick it Out.”
Burnett said that despite the passage of the online safety bill, last season Kick It Out received more reports than ever of players being targeted online and in stadiums. He urged the media to be aware of the “long history” and wide-reaching impact of black players being a media target, saying it created an impression that players were only a “misplaced kick” from being vilified and sent a message that targeting players online was fair game.
“It also sends a message to fans from black and ethnic minority communities that they do not belong or can be abused too,” Burnett stated. “With deadlines approaching, those points must be considered while creating headlines or selecting photos. The words and imagery travel a long distance and strike harder than you may expect.”
The letter closed by stating that the media plays “an important role in how players, fans, and communities feel about themselves and their proper place in football.”
The Black Footballers Partnership, which recently collaborated on a song urging all supporters to unite and support England at the Euros, recalled Raheem Sterling’s warning six years ago about the damaging impact of media coverage. Its CEO, Delroy Corinaldi, stated, “Journalists cannot avoid their responsibility in bringing fans together on this voyage of positivism. Black footballers are doing their part; now it’s up to those in positions of power to do better.”
Usain Bolt exposes Soccer Aid injury that required a stretcher.
Usain Bolt confessed he ruptured his Achilles tendon during Sunday’s Soccer Aid charity match at Stamford Bridge.
The 37-year-old captained the World XI, which was led by former Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino, who was making his first visit to the pitch since leaving the club last month.
More than £15 million is expected to have been raised for UNICEF after England won their first annual fixture since 2018.
Ellen White scored the first female scorer in Soccer Aid history, bringing the two teams equal after returning hero Eden Hazard electrified the audience by netting a free kick to cancel out Joe Cole’s opening goal.
Bolt contributed to the World XI’s lead by assisting Italian star Alessandro Del Piero, but White’s history-making tap after a mazy run from Jack Wilshere set up the second half well.
Steven Bartlett of Dragons Den scored twice, and Jermain Defoe also contributed. Billy Wingrove’s late penalty gave the World XI hope, but the match finished 5-3.
During Defoe’s goal, Bolt went down clutching his leg, indicating that he was suffering from an injury.
The eight-time gold winner was then stretchered off and later updated followers on his injury via X, formerly Twitter.
“Raptured Achilles but done know we a warrior,” the writer claimed.
Since its inception in 2006, Soccer Aid has raised more than £100 million for UNICEF, a global charity that supports child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality education and skill development, HIV prevention and treatment for mothers and babies, and the protection of children and adolescents from violence and exploitation.
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