The Euro 2020 final highlighted the intersection of race and sports, as missed penalties by black players Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, and Bukayo Saka led to significant racial abuse on social media, revealing how sport can serve as a platform for discrimination rather than unity.

The unfortunate thing is that this was not an isolated incident.

Athletes are often judged by their race rather than just their performance, which shows that sports reflect the same societal biases and inequalities.

Sport is connected to society and carries its biases and inequalities. Identity, shaped by race, nationality, or class, affects participation, perception of athletes, and the telling of their stories. Although there has been some progress towards inclusivity, it’s hard to argue that sport is completely free from these influences.

Race is a visible and debated part of identity in sports; it affects how athletes are seen by the world and portrayed by the media. Although sports are often viewed as inclusive, racial bias still impacts both opportunities and stories.

One clear example is media representation. A study by RunRepeat found that commentators often praise lighter-skinned athletes for their intelligence, leadership, and work ethic, while darker-skinned athletes are mostly described for their physical attributes like speed, power, and strength. Although these descriptions may seem harmless, they reinforce stereotypes, suggesting that Black athletes are naturally gifted but lack intelligence, whereas white athletes are seen as disciplined and tactically smart.

This type of racial framing has a broad impact. It affects how people view athletes and can alter their opportunities in sports. For instance, in American football, scouting reports often focus on the physical skills of black players while attributing decision-making and leadership to white players. Similarly, baseball research indicates that umpires are more inclined to favour pitchers of the same racial background, demonstrating how unconscious bias can affect even unbiased decisions.

The treatment of Vinicius Junior in European football highlights how race affects the sports scene. Since joining Real Madrid in 2018 as a teenager, he has faced ongoing racist abuse from fans, especially in La Liga matches. These incidents include monkey chants at games and continuous online harassment, showing it’s a repeated issue rather than isolated events.

The pain comes not only from the abuse but also from how people respond to it.

Most discussions avoid condemning racism and instead focus on the player’s “behaviour,” especially his celebrations, which some find “provocative” to opposing fans. This shifts the blame from those committing racist acts to the victim (Omo-Bamawo, 2026). It raises an important question: would there be the same scrutiny if the player were not black?

This framing highlights a significant issue in football culture and media. Black athletes often have to explain their behaviours in ways that others do not. Confidence can be seen as arrogance, style as provocation, and individuality as a problem. These views are influenced by long-standing racial feelings in sports.

The incident with the Benfica player allegedly calling Vinicius Jr “mono” shows the ongoing problem of racism in football. No matter the context or intent, using racially charged language reveals how deeply rooted these issues are in the sport. It also highlights that racism in football is not always treated with the seriousness it deserves.

This is where the role of governing bodies and institutions comes into play.

Football has repeatedly launched anti racism campaigns, from “Kick it out” initiatives to symbolic gestures like taking the knee. While these actions may be important in raising awareness, their effectiveness has continually been undermined by inconsistent enforcement and a lack of meaningful consequences. When incidents continue to occur with little to no change, it creates the idea that such measures are performative rather than transformative.

The ongoing racism in football contradicts the belief that sports are fair. While all athletes follow the same rules, their experiences are not equal. Black athletes often face additional pressures, dealing with racial stereotypes, public judgment, and sometimes direct abuse.

This then brings the discussion back to identity.

Race is not just a part of sport; it actively affects the experiences of athletes. How athletes are viewed by fans, shown in the media, and treated during successes and failures makes a difference. While sport can bring people together, it can also show and reinforce the inequalities that exist in society.

Dan O’Brien described sport as a place where identity matters less than participation, offering creativity, confidence, and opportunities for everyone. This ideal suggests that sport is fair and equal for all. However, this discussion reveals a different reality. While the notion that sport transcends race sounds appealing, it isn’t completely accurate. Many real-world examples show that racial identity still significantly affects the sports world.

From biased comments to discriminatory behaviour, athletes’ experiences show that race still plays a significant role in how people view and engage with sports. Although some progress has been made, these ongoing issues indicate that sports are not the fair environment they are often said to be.

If sports truly want to reflect the values they promote, like fairness and equality, they need to go beyond mere gestures and tackle the deeper issues that keep racism alive.

Until real change happens, identity will keep impacting how athletes are treated, how they are seen, and how far they can go.