October 2014

Interviewing Thomas Hitzlsperger for FARE film

A common criticism of the modern day footballer, and indeed sportsperson, is they are afraid to say what they really think. However, in recent weeks we have seen this challenged.

The most obvious example is Rio Ferdinand, while promoting his new autobiography #2sides. He has certainly not been shy to express his views on pretty much everything – racism, England managers, David Moyes… Forget #2sides, Rio goes in #2footed! And rightly so on a number of issues.

And recently I experienced similar passion while making a film on racism and discrimination in football for European equality network – FARE. I was tasked with capturing the views and ideas of Manchester City’s Yaya Toure, Arsenal Ladies defender, Casey Stoney and former German international, Thomas Hitzlsperger.

Yaya Toure was very strong on challenging racism

I know Yaya fairly well, and he is very strong on the fight against racism. In our interview he held nothing back. He believes a lot more needs to be done by the authorities and clubs. Sat in front of me, he detailed what it was like to be the only black person in a stadium where monkey chanting was clearly audible. His said European clubs have a duty to protect the footballers they invite to play for them.

Casey Stoney was just as strong. She recalled growing up in a time when girls had no pathway to playing football – at any level! No role models and no support. Now she is a professional footballer but is still calling for greater equality.

The brilliant Casey Stoney spoke passionately about equality in the film

Thomas Hitzlsperger had recently come out as gay – one of the very few footballers to have made this decision. He was incredibly confident and articulate in his view that the football industry needs to work harder to create an environment people can be themselves, regardless of sexual orientation.

The final part of the film was shot in Romania with the Roma community, who face terrible discrimination. A short cab ride through one of the most challenging neighbourhoods I have seen in Europe, underlined why we need sportspeople to speak out.

Very few people are prepared to listed to children living in poverty – but the masses may help, or change their views, when sportspeople with profile voice their opinions. Agents, advisors and even press officers can sometimes discourage this – claiming it interferes with their focus on performing. But it’s about time sportspeople followed Yaya, Casey and Thomas’s lead.

To say nothing, is to accept.

You can watch the FARE film on YouTube via – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tdr1qpb9Bo 

Post-filming picture with super friendly members of the Roma community in Bucharest. Great people!