Racism and Regionalism in Welsh Soccer

Abstract

Studies of sport and ethnicity have often identified racism(s) as central to the sport and leisure experiences of people from minority ethnic groups,² though inter disciplinary social science approaches to enhancing the understanding of this important (and topical) area of study have been infrequent. In this paper the links between sociology, economics, history and geography are explored in an attempt to deconstruct and analyse the experiences that Afro/Caribbean soccer players have of 'personal' racist abuse whilst playing in Wales. Qualitative empirical data indicate that there are perceived regional variations in the nature of racist abuse, with the 'Valleys' region singled out as a common source of intense hostility from spectators and players. These data provide the basis for a consideration of the theoretical perspective that relates familiarity with minority ethnic groups to tolerance of them; and indicates that such a perspective is a small part of a more complex phenomenon.