Proportionally, members of the black and ethnic minority community are more likely to attend a UK Premier League match than the overall population. Although no research has been done in the Netherlands in this field, recent research has shown that proportionally more Moroccan, Surinamese and Caribbean Dutch are watching Eredivisie Live, the Pay TV channel on the premier Dutch football league, than the overall population.
Ajax and Feyenoord, probably the most popular football team within the Netherlands, are likely to be the most popular among ethnic minoritities. The above video, a rap by U-niq and Winne, was launched today just before the match in Rotterdam between Feyenoord and Ajax.
Research commissioned by the governing body found that the Premier League “is seen to have reflected changes in broader British society, which has become more tolerant towards different cultural and religious groups”. It found there is a greater problem regarding racism around the England team and in the lower divisions.
According to Populus, nearly 50% more members of the black and ethnic minority community attend Premier League matches than are a proportion of the overall population. The research also discovered a third more ethnic minorities follow Premier League clubs than fans who are white.
While Suárez is likely to appeal his eight-match ban after being found guilty of making racist comments to Patrice Evra of Manchester United – and Terry’s case will be heard at a London magistrates’ court in February – the Premier League told the Observer it is confident more ethnic minority fans are attending games, where “policing, stewarding, CCTV and new stadia” are helping to make them feel welcome.