WHILE significant efforts have been made to address the scourge of sectarianism that once blighted the local soccer scene, the issue of racism has received much less attention.
After the Black Lives Matter movement shone a new spotlight on issues of racial injustice around the world, the practice of soccer stars taking the knee in a show of solidarity before matches became a familiar sight on our TV screens.
The appalling abuse suffered by three black players who missed penalties for England in the European Championships final last summer also highlighted how far football has to travel to stamp out bigotry.
Yet closer to home there still appears to be a level of ignorance about the problem and complacency about the action needed to eradicate it.
The short film Where You Really From?, the subject of a two-part series in The Irish News this week, should shatter any illusions about racism in youth soccer in Northern Ireland.
Young filmmakers Cameron Tharma and Charlie Rollins came to the project with their own experiences of racial abuse and their interviews with three former youth internationals make for disturbing viewing.
Cameron's younger brother Ross, whose father is of Sri Lankan heritage, tells how he was the subject of 'Taliban' taunts from one his own coaches as well as humiliating jokes about carrying a bomb on a plane.
Rosie Zubier, whose father is from Sudan, recalls her shock at being called the 'n-word' as a 10-year-old player and how her experiences contributed to her falling out of love with the game.
In another powerful interview, Aaron Brown, whose mother is of Jamaican extraction, describes racial abuse as "like someone sticking a knife in your ears".
While action is often taken when instances of racism are highlighted, the filmmakers advocate a more proactive approach by authorities rather than responding to issues as they arise.
The problems in sport of course are a reflection of wider society. Statistics show shocking levels of race hate crimes in Northern Ireland, with reports to police having risen sharply in recent years.
This paper also reported earlier this week on the launch of Unite Against Hate, a campaign asking people to challenge their own prejudices and speak out against discrimination and bigotry.
There is no doubt that education is key to eradicating such attitudes in both football and the community.
An excellent start would be to ensure that Where You Really From? is disseminated in schools and sports clubs and receives as wide an audience as possible.
