Coventry City star Fankaty Dabo has spoken about the shocking racial abuse he has suffered both as a child and adult, and the reason why he’s so proud of his football club.
The Sky Blues have been at the forefront of fighting racism in the game with their iconic 2Tone kit celebrating the city’s diverse multi-cultural history through music as well as continually backing the Kick It Out campaign.
The death of George Floyd in the United State last month sent shock waves across the globe, sparking the Black Lives Matter movement that saw protests in major towns and cities throughout the world.
It’s an emotive subject that has touched people of all races and colour, not least professional footballers who have been routinely ‘taking a knee’ prior to kick off at games since the re-start of the Premier League and Championship in a show of solidarity and support for the movement.
Asked if he welcomes the fact that so many people have shown they care about the issue, Sky Blues star Dabo said: “For sure, with me being a black man I believe in the meaning because for so many years black people have been oppressed and systematically racially abused, and I don’t believe we have all had the same chances as maybe white people.
“I am not saying everyone, but to eradicate it and bring equality and the same chances for everyone; as well as eradicating police brutality over there (in the US) will be great because everyone wants a fairer, safer world.
“No-one wants to go into something thinking that they are not going to get the same opportunities because they are black. Sometimes you hear people joke about it, saying, ‘Oh, it’s because I’m black,’ and that is because of the way society has treated them.
“So to bring social and racial equality would be fantastic for everyone, I think.”
There’s a quick and easy way to stay on top of all the Coventry City news with our daily newsletter.
Delivered straight into your email inbox each day, the bulletins will feature the latest Sky Blues news, views, gossip and opinion.
All you need to do is sign up here.
And what’s more, it’s absolutely free!
You can also get all the latest updates by following us on social media here Facebook and Twitter.
We also have a free app which you can download here. It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region.
Dabo’s family hail from Sierra Leone in West Africa – a country subjected to civil war from 1991-2002.
“My parents just wanted a better opportunity for me and my family,” said the 24-year-old fan favourite, whose outstanding first season with the Sky Blues saw him named Player of the Season.
“They worked really hard and got themselves to where they are, and me to where I am, so to them, I am the most thankful because with out them – from driving me to football straight after work when they were knackered or taking me to games – I wouldn’t be where I am.
“They’d come and watch my games, driving to Liverpool or Newcastle when they didn’t have to when I was growing up at Chelsea,
“They even travelled abroad, went to America to watch me when I was 14 or something and we went on tour to Florida.
“So without them I wouldn’t be the man I am today. I wouldn’t be anyone at all!
“My dad’s a teacher and mum a social worker, and they are literally working all the time down in South London. It’s tough down there and they work so hard. I can’t fault them.”
Growing up in South London was difficult, to say the least, with Dabo experiencing racism from an early age.
“It’s crazy because when I was young I lived near Millwall,” he said.
“I am sure everyone has their perception of Millwall and for sure, I was racially abused by a fan when I was younger.
“I was called the ‘N’ word.
We’ve put together a special promotion celebration for all Coventry City fans to enjoy.
Featuring bonus videos and photos, we tell the full story of a remarkable title winning campaign and it can arrive straight to your inbox first.
All you need to do is sign up here.
And what’s more, it’s absolutely free!
You can also get all the latest updates by following us on social media here Facebook and Twitter.
We also have a free app which you can download here. It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region.
“You don’t become immune to it but I think you become accustomed to it, which is wrong. To be racially abused at such a young age is crazy.
“The kid was so young as well, about eight, the same as me at the time and it happened just because I wouldn’t let him have a kick of my ball as I was walking home.
“That’s being instilled in such young kids by their parents, so hopefully the kids can be educated.”
Dabo also experienced racism in the game and into adulthood.
He added: “I have experienced racism on the pitch in Italy and even in England by other foreign players who played for English teams.
“I just think everyone needs to be educated about what they are saying because it’s completely and utterly wrong, and if they knew the history behind it I hope that they wouldn’t say those things.
“It has happened in the last four years but you see it a lot on the news, especially just recently, and last year when black England players were abused in Bulgaria and when you watch it it makes you sick and angry because you wonder how someone can think less of you and call you hateful words just because of the colour of your skin.”
Football certainly appears to have embraced the Black Lives Matter movement with the taking a knee and likes of Manchester City’s England star Raheen Sterling speaking out on Newsnight.
“I think it is so good, especially those top players who have the platform to say something,” said Dabo, “and hopefully that platform brings about change because without the main top players being able to say something there’s nowhere to go for us.
“Lower down the leagues we have less of a platform so hopefully the more it brings awareness the quicker it will change, but it’s not going to change over night.
“But the quicker the better.”
Lower profile clubs and players may have less of a voice on a national scale but that doesn’t mean they can’t make themselves heard.
Asked what it means to him to be at a club that prides itself on its anti racism stance, he said: “I was at the 2Tone kit launch last year and learned a lot about it.
“And that’s another credit to the club and reason why I am so happy to be here because of the amount of effort they have put in to bring about that racial equality with the 2Tone kit and ‘Kick it Out’ work.
“I think it’s great because you really can’t go wrong with it.”
