A new study finds evidence of racial bias in football commentary. We cannot ignore it any longer

White players are hailed for their courage and commitment, while black players are more likely to be criticised for a bad attitude, and reduced to their pace and strength.

By Jonathan Liew

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Sadio Mane of Liverpool takes a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa at Anfield on July 05, 2020 in Liverpool, England.Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

There is a famous sketch by the comedy duo Key and Peele in which a white television pundit is enthusiastically comparing various American football players. While Tom Brady is praised as “the hardest-working, most intelligent player in the game”, Richard Sherman is described as “one of the most physically gifted creatures to ever grace the sport”.

Max Unger? “Keenly analytical.”