This archive report was first published on 13 June 2020.
As the world grapples with racial tensions following the killing of George Floyd, former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has suggested that football can teach society valuable lessons about anti-racism.
Speaking to BeIN Sport on Friday, Wenger pointed out that football has long been a merit-based sport where talent and ability are the only criteria for success, regardless of a player's background.
“I would say football is by essence anti-racist,” Wenger said. “Why? Because you know that no matter if you’re the son of the King of England or if you’re black or white or red — if you’re good you play.”
Wenger believes that football's emphasis on merit and quality is something that society as a whole could learn from, particularly in the face of growing racial tensions.
However, Wenger also expressed concerns about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on lower-level football clubs, which he fears may struggle to survive without fans in stadiums.
“I don’t worry for the Premier League. You worry more for the 65 clubs who lose money (by playing behind closed doors),” Wenger said. “We live in a world today that’s focussed on grouping the elite. You know well the case in England. In England the leagues are dying.”
