Nearly 2 weeks to go before the Champions League & Europa League cup final and I’m already beginning to suffer from an acute case of “F.W.S”. For those of you unfamiliar with this condition, “Football Withdrawal Syndrome”, to give its full title, is a condition that effects the followers of the game in the months between June & August when one seasons ends and a new one begins. After the incredible semi- finals week where English clubs knocked out the best teams in Europe, I can’t help but feel sufficient homage and praise has not been heaped upon the players and teams who dismantled Europes footballing elite. It’s difficult to convey the sense of euphoria and smug satisfaction experienced by supporters, myself included, as 4 English clubs qualified and will compete in the finals for the Champions League, 1/6/19 in Madrid (Spain) and the Europa League, 29/5/19 in Baku (Azerbaijan). There is of course for me and many others who watched the black players outplay, outperform and score crucial goals to overturn deficits and propel their respective teams into the finals, a overwhelming sense that justice has been served, served on a Europe who are only now coming to terms with the fact that; racial abuse, monkey chants and throwing bananas on the pitch can no longer prevent black players from achieving their full potential.
A Black Perspective 