Is Soccer the World’s Most Racist Sport?

Fans and players just can’t stop the hate.

Ape-alling Cartoon - European soccer isn’t all fun and games for many of its Black and minority players who are routinely subject to racist taunts from fans and fellow players alike. Following a flurry of racist incidents during the EURO 2012 tournament, BET.com takes a look at some of the most standout European racism scandals on and off the field. — Naeesa AzizItalian striker Mario Balotelli was insulted by an Italian newspaper that published a cartoon depicting him as King Kong. Although the paper apologized, it added, “Those who accuse Gazzetta of racism are going overboard.”(Photo: Twitter)

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Ape-alling Cartoon - European soccer isn’t all fun and games for many of its Black and minority players who are routinely subject to racist taunts from fans and fellow players alike. Following a flurry of racist incidents during the EURO 2012 tournament, BET.com takes a look at some of the most standout European racism scandals on and off the field. — Naeesa AzizItalian striker Mario Balotelli was insulted by an Italian newspaper that published a cartoon depicting him as King Kong. Although the paper apologized, it added, “Those who accuse Gazzetta of racism are going overboard.”(Photo: Twitter)

U.K. Prime Minister Holds Racism Summit - In response to a nasty spat between British players Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra, U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron held a February summit with player representatives and soccer officials to address the issue of racism within the sport. (Photo: Lewis Whyld - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

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U.K. Prime Minister Holds Racism Summit - In response to a nasty spat between British players Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra, U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron held a February summit with player representatives and soccer officials to address the issue of racism within the sport. (Photo: Lewis Whyld - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

Criminal Penalties - U.K. soccer star John Terry became the first player to be criminally charged for yelling a racist remark toward Black player Anton Ferdinand of the opposing team.(Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

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Criminal Penalties - U.K. soccer star John Terry became the first player to be criminally charged for yelling a racist remark toward Black player Anton Ferdinand of the opposing team.(Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Bad Call - Phil Morris, referee appointments secretary for Manchester, was found guilty by a Football Association panel of instructing a referee to tell Jewish players to “remember the concentration camps" if they gave him “any sh--.” The association placed Morris on suspension for the comments.(Photo: Courtesy Manchester Evening News)

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Bad Call - Phil Morris, referee appointments secretary for Manchester, was found guilty by a Football Association panel of instructing a referee to tell Jewish players to “remember the concentration camps" if they gave him “any sh--.” The association placed Morris on suspension for the comments.(Photo: Courtesy Manchester Evening News)

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High-Level Denial - In November 2011, FIFA President Sepp Blatter proclaimed there are no racial issues in international soccer. Blatter added insult to injury by adding that players who believe they have experienced racism should remember “this is a game.”(Photo: Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)

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French Deny Discrimination  - Last year, French soccer officials were outspoken in their denial of a report which claimed the French Football Association purposely tried to reduce the number of Black and Arab players entering national training programs.(Photo: Handout/UEFA via Getty Images)

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French Deny Discrimination  - Last year, French soccer officials were outspoken in their denial of a report which claimed the French Football Association purposely tried to reduce the number of Black and Arab players entering national training programs.(Photo: Handout/UEFA via Getty Images)

The Legend of Zoro - In one of the most infamous incidents of soccer racism, Marc Zoro, an Ivorian who plays for an Italian team, threatened to walk off the field in 2006 after fans of his team's opponents hoisted a banner stating, “Peanuts and bananas are the pay for your infamy,” and shouted racial slurs. (Photo: Hamish Blair/Getty Images)

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The Legend of Zoro - In one of the most infamous incidents of soccer racism, Marc Zoro, an Ivorian who plays for an Italian team, threatened to walk off the field in 2006 after fans of his team's opponents hoisted a banner stating, “Peanuts and bananas are the pay for your infamy,” and shouted racial slurs. (Photo: Hamish Blair/Getty Images)

Racist Chants - Two Espanyol of Barcelona players, the Cameroon goalkeeper Carlos Kameni (above) and Brazilian midfielder Fredson were subjected to racist chants in Madrid by fans of opponent Atletico Madrid.(Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images)

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Racist Chants - Two Espanyol of Barcelona players, the Cameroon goalkeeper Carlos Kameni (above) and Brazilian midfielder Fredson were subjected to racist chants in Madrid by fans of opponent Atletico Madrid.(Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images)

FIFA Steps In - A far cry from the FIFA president’s denial of racism last year, the organiztion fined the Spanish Football Association nearly $90,000 after Spanish fans taunted English players Thierry Henry and Shaun Wright-Phillips with racial slurs in 2004.(Photo: Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

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FIFA Steps In - A far cry from the FIFA president’s denial of racism last year, the organiztion fined the Spanish Football Association nearly $90,000 after Spanish fans taunted English players Thierry Henry and Shaun Wright-Phillips with racial slurs in 2004.(Photo: Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Terrible Tweets - Racist fans took to Twitter during EURO 2012 and lashed out at English players Ashley Cole and Ashley Young, using racial slurs and abusive language after the two missed penalty kicks in a match with Italy.(Photo: Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

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Terrible Tweets - Racist fans took to Twitter during EURO 2012 and lashed out at English players Ashley Cole and Ashley Young, using racial slurs and abusive language after the two missed penalty kicks in a match with Italy.(Photo: Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

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First of the Worst - Serbian striker Nenad Jestrovic was the first player to be dismissed for making racist comments during a match. He was suspended for three matches as a result of the behavior. (Photo: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

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First of the Worst - Serbian striker Nenad Jestrovic was the first player to be dismissed for making racist comments during a match. He was suspended for three matches as a result of the behavior. (Photo: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

Not High Enough - The Spanish FA fined national team coach Luis Aragones 3,000 euros for racist remarks he made about Thierry Henry to his team, a figure that was slammed by anti-racism campaigners as far too low.(Photo: VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)

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Not High Enough - The Spanish FA fined national team coach Luis Aragones 3,000 euros for racist remarks he made about Thierry Henry to his team, a figure that was slammed by anti-racism campaigners as far too low.(Photo: VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)

Nazis on the Loose? - Out-of-control fans earned the German soccer association a $31,200 fine after fans displayed a neo-Nazi flag during Germany’s Euro Cup match against Greece last Friday. (Photo: REUTERS/Stringer/Files)

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Nazis on the Loose? - Out-of-control fans earned the German soccer association a $31,200 fine after fans displayed a neo-Nazi flag during Germany’s Euro Cup match against Greece last Friday. (Photo: REUTERS/Stringer/Files)

Fans Get Teams Fined - Russia fans earned the Russian soccer team a hefty fine during the EURO 2012 Cup for their rowdy, racist behavior against Theodor Gebre Selaisse, a Czech defender of Ethiopian descent. (Photo: Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

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Fans Get Teams Fined - Russia fans earned the Russian soccer team a hefty fine during the EURO 2012 Cup for their rowdy, racist behavior against Theodor Gebre Selaisse, a Czech defender of Ethiopian descent. (Photo: Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

Virtual Racism Gets Real - German player Mesut Ozil registered a formal complaint aimed at an unnamed Twitter user who made racist comments about him following Germany’s first-round match against Denmark in this year’s Euro Cup.(Photo: Christopher Lee/Getty Images)

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Virtual Racism Gets Real - German player Mesut Ozil registered a formal complaint aimed at an unnamed Twitter user who made racist comments about him following Germany’s first-round match against Denmark in this year’s Euro Cup.(Photo: Christopher Lee/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Christopher Lee/Getty Images