FIFA, Racism, and Genocide here ā¦ Revolutionary and Sporting Greeting here ā¦
FIFA, Racism, and Genocide
Open anti-Black racism and the genocide in Gaza were on the pitch, and on the minds of the fans after the July 7 Argentina-Egypt World Cup game.
We talked about this on a group chat (edited here for length).
B: The Egyptian team dedicated their July 3 World Cup win over Australia to the Palestinians. Thatās why the FIFA leadership (owned by US imperialism) had the refs rule against them continuously in their next game against Argentina. To prevent them from advancing with that message. Donāt blame the Argentina working class. Blame FIFA and US imperialism.
S: What about the persistent racism from fans and non-African players toward Black or dark skin players during this world cup? And the USā racist refusal to grant a visa to a highly qualified referee from Somalia?
B: Those comments are racist and despicable, used and pushed to divide and terrorize the international working class.
Racist ruling classes like the French rely on Black players to win for them but racist terror in France runs rampant. England also. Both goals scored by England in its last game were scored by a Black player.
There is racism in Argentina against Black players. At the same time, there is a mass anti-fascist, anti-racist movement there. The struggle against all racism, including anti-Black and anti-Arab racism, and imperialism has to be international and communist-led.
S: The presence of the anti-racist movement in these countries is commendable. However the racism still exists. The racism is not diminishing. Iām tired of seeing fans in soccer matches calling Black people racist names. Iām called racist names at my job. Iām sick of it. Where I work, no one talks about it, but we can talk about it in soccer. I think thatās a good thing.
B: I agree. But do you think anti-Arab/anti-Muslim racism is also a problem to confront? Given the ongoing genocide against the Palestinians? Many people are angry about the clearly unfair refereeing against Egypt. But they are not necessarily seeing the link to the Egyptian teamās open, defiant support of the Palestinians. I think these twin attacks go together.
Racism has to be wiped out with communism.
S: Yes. Absolutely.
B: We should absolutely denounce and expose this open and disgusting anti-Black racism, anti-Muslim, and anti-indigenous racism in Red Flag! And explain that capitalism needs racism to divide and exploit us.
R: The ruling classes invented racism to extract super profits and divide the working class and weaken their power.
B: Racism is the enemy of all the masses. It is used to justify terror, imperialist war, and genocide. Getting rid of capitalism, its wage slavery, competition, and imperialist genocide, will put an end to their material basis. The communist masses will continue the struggle until racism is abolished.
S: Down with racism! To the common struggle!
Letter: A Sporting and Revolutionary Greeting
Iām a worker who enjoys some sports, including soccer (football). Before the 2026 World Cup began, I predicted that these sports both bring families and friends together and separate them. In the case of soccer, for example, fans rallied behind the national teams of their home countries or their favorite clubs. I think thatās normal.
The excitement comes from watching good soccer and seeing your favorite team shine. Sometimes youāre happy, and other times youāre sad. If they win, great. If they lose, oh wellāyou have to acknowledge that the opponent took advantage of their opportunities and thatās why they won. I think thatās what it means to be a āfan.ā
The problem arises when a fan crosses the line into fanaticism. This blinds your abilities to analyze and be self-critical. It leads you to blindly defend refereeing āmistakesā that favor your team and harm the opponentāor vice versa. Even in the face of clear evidence, just as in capitalist society, these dynamics manifest in class relations across all activities.
The ruling class, with its banks and big businesses, profits from the glamour of soccerāa sport that millions of us around the world have played since childhood.
On the other hand, the working class āthat is, the massesāpays exorbitant prices to watch a game, buy merchandise from their favorite team, or purchase products advertised on TV.
The ruling class rubs its hands together and laughs, counting its profits. While at the same time encouraging the masses to turn against one another. In some cases, even resorting to insults and drawing swords against their own family and friends.
Is there corruption in FIFA? Those who analyze the issue will say yes; those who donāt will say no. Everything capitalism touches turns to corruption.
Fellow workers, I donāt expect these comments to change anything among the ruling elites. But let us, the masses, avoid falling into the trap of personality cults. Letās place greater importance on collectivism.
Family, friends, comradesāletās not allow soccer to divide us; letās make the sport unite us. Just as we united in the protests against the genocide in Gaza or on May Day.
In a communist society, sports will be for fun and promoting health, not a way to profit off the feelings of our class. Letās fight for communism.
āComrade in Los Angeles (USA)
Red Flag responds: Thank you for your letter! But we donāt think nationalism is ānormal.ā The capitalists created their borders and their nations. They use nationalism to divide our class.
Read To End Racism, Mobilize the Masses for Communism here
Please send your letters, responses, and suggestions to contact@icwpredflag.org