Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has called for stronger and more decisive measures to eradicate racism from football, insisting that symbolic gestures alone are no longer enough.
Mikel said initiatives such as players kneeling before matches were important in raising awareness but have failed to produce lasting change. “Players kneeling before games was a powerful message at first,” Mikel said. “But it hasn’t really solved the problem.”
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The former Chelsea midfielder believes football authorities must move beyond symbolic actions and introduce stricter punishments for offenders. “If someone is found guilty of racism, they should be completely removed from the game,” he stated.
According to Mikel, harsher sanctions would send a clear message that discrimination will not be tolerated in football. “There has to be real consequences. Only then will people take it seriously,” he explained.
The Nigerian legend emphasized that racism not only harms individual players but also damages the reputation of the sport globally.
“Football is a global game that brings people together. Racism goes against everything the sport represents,” he added.
Mikel also urged governing bodies, clubs, and supporters to take collective responsibility in addressing the issue. “Everyone involved in football must stand against racism,” he said.
He stressed that the fight against discrimination should remain a constant priority across all competitions and levels of the sport.
“We cannot keep repeating the same conversations every season,” he noted.
Mikel concluded by calling for decisive leadership from football authorities. “The game must protect its players. Racism should have no place in football,” he said.
His remarks echo the growing demand across the sport for stronger policies and enforcement to combat discrimination.
