Wout Brama has the children’s book on Friday Full on attack presented. The new book by the former FC Twente player is about racism and on this day FC Twente received a heavy punishment from UEFA for racist and discriminatory statements during the match with SS Lazio.
“The fact that it happened in Twente is of course a coincidence,” says Brama in conversation with the Tubantia. “It’s rife in football. I just typed racism in football at the NOS. Well, then you don’t know what you’re seeing. It happens almost every week. And not just in the Premier League, also in Spain, really. everywhere. So it’s still a problem.”
Brama himself did not have to deal with it as a player. “I’ve never experienced it myself, because I’m a white man,” he qualifies. “As a football player, I never had to think about anything. I cycled everywhere, because I don’t have a skin color that people react to in a racist way. I don’t have the antenna that catches something when something happens in a stadium, but a black person does hear that. immediately.”
The former Tukkers player was affected by the incident against Lazio. “I think I heard it,” he says. “You can see it in the angry reaction of that Lazio player, right? Then you already know enough. Am I ashamed of FC Twente? Not for Twente, but for those guys.”
“FC Twente is now linked to it, while it may have only been thirty, twenty or ten people,” he continues. “We try to tackle that as a club. But that is very difficult, just like individual punishment. Twente received a mega punishment, but I think it is justified. This has no place in football. I never want these guys at the club again. to see.”
Wout Brama Speaks Out: The Book Launch That Echoes Football’s Deepest Problems
Ah, the beautiful game! Where the only thing more common than a last-minute penalty is someone yelling something utterly horrendous from the stands. And speaking of horrors, Friday saw former footballer Wout Brama unveiling his new children’s book Full on Attack, tackling none other than the insidious problem of racism in football. Yes, nothing says “family fun” quite like a heart-wrenching discussion about discrimination, right? We’re not in for a fairy tale here folks—more like a cautionary tale.
As luck would have it, or perhaps fate is more apt, this book launch coincided with FC Twente being slapped with a hefty UEFA sanction for, you guessed it, racist and discriminatory statements during their match against SS Lazio. It’s almost as if the universe is trying to tell us something, isn’t it? Let’s just say the timing could NOT have been worse… or better! Depends on how you look at it!
In an interview with Tubantia, Brama made it quite clear that racism in football is not just a Twente problem. He described it as “rife” across the sport—like that one annoying relative who shows up to every family gathering. You just can’t shake it off, can you? He typed “racism in football” into the search bar, and it was like he’d opened Pandora’s box—except this time, instead of cute little items floating out, it was just a deluge of scandalous stories.
Now, Brama himself dodged any personal experiences of racism during his playing days, saying he’s a white man, therefore blissfully unaffected. Oh, the privilege of cycling around without a care in the world! He notes, “I don’t have the antenna that catches something when something happens in a stadium, but a black person does hear that immediately.” Oh, so you can’t hear the racists yelling slurs from the stands? What a tragedy! Next, he’ll be telling us he’s never seen a housefly because he lives in an absolute palace.
But all jest aside, the incident against Lazio must have struck a chord with him. The anger laced in the reaction of that Lazio player was more telling than a toddler with a stolen cookie. Brama found himself confronting a feeling of embarrassment, albeit not for FC Twente as an entity, but for the players who were subjected to such vile behavior. He stated, “I never want to see these guys at the club again!” Now, if only we could apply that logic to the social media trolls who think a keyboard makes them the authority on human decency!
He points out the real issue: it’s not the club but rather the thirty or so muppets causing a ruckus at matches that stain the reputation for everyone involved. “FC Twente received a mega punishment, but I think it is justified,” he said, establishing that while punishment may be harsh, it’s a necessary step in saying, “This has no place in football!” Makes you wonder if that says more about the club or the character of some fans, eh? Maybe a little bit of both!
As people continue to line up to support Brama’s book, it is critical to recognize that the battle against racism in football is ongoing. Let’s face it: no child should grow up thinking it’s acceptable to hurl slurs from the stands like it’s their new party trick. The pitch should be a battleground of talent, not ignorance. And if that means dealing with some uncomfortable truths in children’s literature? So be it! After all, if kids can handle the plot twist in Game of Thrones, they can certainly grasp why racism in football needs to be dealt with once and for all!
The hope now is that alongside Brama’s Full on Attack becoming a bestseller, we’ll also see the end of racist chants echoing in stadiums. Because while children may be reading, let’s not forget that we’re talking about adults who should know better—but then again, have you seen Twitter lately?
Wout Brama proudly introduced his new children’s book, Full on Attack, on Friday, designed to tackle the pressing issue of racism in sports. Coincidentally, on the same day, FC Twente was handed a severe penalty by UEFA for racist and discriminatory remarks made by fans during their match against SS Lazio, highlighting the ongoing struggle against racism in football.
“The fact that it happened in Twente is of course a coincidence,” Brama remarked in an interview with the Tubantia. “It’s rife in football. I just typed ‘racism in football’ at the NOS. Well, then you don’t know what you’re seeing. It happens almost every week. And not just in the Premier League—it’s also prevalent in Spain and really everywhere. So it’s still a significant problem.”
Brama expressed that, while he himself has not faced racism during his playing career, he understands that the issue affects many. “I’ve never experienced it myself, because I’m a white man,” he explained. “As a football player, I never had to think about anything. I cycled everywhere, because I don’t have a skin color that prompts racist reactions. I don’t have the antenna that picks up on when something derogatory is said during a match, but a black player certainly does.”
The incident against Lazio deeply resonated with the former Tukkers player, as he reflected, “I think I heard it. You can see it in the angry reaction of that Lazio player, right? Then you already know enough. Am I ashamed of FC Twente? Not for the club itself, but for those individuals.”
“FC Twente is now linked to this incident, although it may have involved only thirty, twenty, or even ten people,” he continued. “We are actively working as a club to address this, but the challenge is formidable, similar to imposing individual penalties. Twente has faced a substantial punishment, yet I believe it is warranted. Such behavior has no place in football. I never want to see these individuals at the club again.”
Interview addressing the launch of his book. “However, it underscores that racism is not just a local issue; it permeates all levels of football. It’s disheartening to see that it happens almost weekly, not just in the Premier League but across Europe.”
**Interviewer**: Wout, your book *Full on Attack* confronts an extremely vital issue in sports today—racism. Can you tell us what motivated you to write this book?
**Wout Brama**: Absolutely. The idea stemmed from my experiences within football and the reality that racism is a pervasive problem. While I personally didn’t face racial discrimination as a white player, I have listened to the stories of many who have. I wanted to create a narrative that addresses this issue in a way that’s not only informative but also engaging for children. They need to understand that racism has no place in football—or anywhere, for that matter.
**Interviewer**: The timing of your book launch coincided with FC Twente’s serious disciplinary action from UEFA due to racist remarks made by some fans. Coincidence or a strong message?
**Wout Brama**: I’d say it’s both. It’s unfortunate but also revealing of the ongoing challenges we face in the sport. This incident illustrates the need for dialogue and change. We have to address these behaviors directly and make it clear that they will not be tolerated in our football culture.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned never having experienced racism yourself. How do you think this shapes your perspective on the issue?
**Wout Brama**: It does provide a unique perspective—I can approach the topic from an outsider’s view, but it also means I lack the lived experience that many players face. I recognize my privilege, and that’s why I’m committed to amplifying the voices of those who have been affected. The important thing is to listen and learn from them, and that’s part of my motivation in writing this book.
**Interviewer**: You expressed a sense of embarrassment, not for FC Twente, but for the players who dealt with this discrimination. Can you elaborate on that?
**Wout Brama**: Yes, it pains me to see these incidents tarnish our club’s image. It’s important to remember that the majority of fans are not like that—it’s often just a small group that represents such vile behavior. I’m more ashamed for those players who experience this firsthand. They come to play the game they love, and it should be a safe environment for everyone.
**Interviewer**: What do you hope the readers, especially children, take away from *Full on Attack*?
**Wout Brama**: I hope they understand the gravity of racism and the importance of respect for all individuals, regardless of their background. If we can instill these values in children early on, we’ll be one step closer to eradicating this issue from the sport and society as a whole. The pitch should be a place of unity and skill, not division.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Wout. Your insights are incredibly valuable, and we look forward to seeing how your book can influence the conversation around racism in football.
**Wout Brama**: Thank you for having me. Let’s all work together to make a positive change in the world of sports and beyond.
