A spotlight on immigration's impact on sport

There are various complex theories which come into play when defining immigration issues. As a result of preceding world events, human beings strain to explain their origins. Secession, conflict and citizenship should be explored from a political and sport angle when discussing immigration.

Separatist protests witnessed in Catalonia and Cameroon, for example, have adversely affected people’s interaction with sports. Secessionist calls include references to marginalisation, accessing the benefits of natural resources and political oppression. In Cameroon, an outcry of the country's Anglophone region to form Ambazonia as a country has been met by a ruthless military response from the Francophone majority. While openly supporting Catalonia’s call for independence from Spain, Barcelona football club’s quest for its independence could have seen it play in a foreign league, giving rise to legal and logistical nightmares for UEFA and their adopted league by complicating matters such as player transfers, representation and work permits.

Citizenship in sports is not devoid of political intrigues. FIFA statutes stipulate that a player can represent two countries, provided that by age 21 a country with no provision for dual citizenship negates the benefits. Previously, teams have been stripped of points or banned from international competitions, for example, in the World Cup qualifying campaign between Tunisia and Cape Verde with the former filing a protest on alleged ineligibility, and the latter forfeiting points.

Different social, political and economic factors also affect the enjoyment of sports, paving way for unimaginable ripple effects leading to strained diplomatic ties. Due to vagaries of political instability, federations have had to prepare their national teams in different territories which affects performance. During the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, Syria prepared players for their “home” matches in a different nation owing to the never-ending battles between government forces against terrorist groups. In the run-up to the 2010 AFCON, the fatal bus attack on the Togo national team by anti-government forces in Lubumbashi sparked uproar among football stakeholders about safety for sports athletes.

However, in dealing with integration and access to recreational activities, organisations like the UEFA Foundation for Children, in partnership with UNICEF, has not only advanced football inclusion but has also provided psychological relief to Syrian children in refugee camps.

Therefore, political actions pursued by world leaders should be critically reflected upon to ensure they have positive impacts in the sports sector.