KRC Genk has started a campaign against transgressive behavior. The Belgian club wants to actively fight racism or discrimination based on skin color, gender, orientation or religion and has launched a reporting center in the stadium for this purpose. However: the image with which the campaign is announced causes division on social media.
The image shows how the players' names on Genk's match shirts have been replaced by insulting terms that players have been confronted with in the past. For example, the shirt with number 77 – Zakaria El Ouahdi's number – features the text 'Muslim slut', a term that the midfielder has been called in the past.
The shirts of Tolu Arokodare (number 99, with the text 'nigga') and KRC Genk Ladies midfielder Sien Vandersanden (number 10, with the text 'whore') are also displayed in the image. There is doubt among the supporters whether such an image achieves its purpose.
Not With Us!
KRC Genk today announced a catchy campaign to tackle racism and discrimination in its stadium ??
Find out all about it:
?? https://t.co/tZohAEMrxI#my team— KRC Genk (@KRCGenkofficial) July 24, 2024
“Who comes up with this?” asks one X-user wonders. On Instagram, someone suggests that the players should 'grow a bit more elephant skin'. Someone who has been a victim of racism himself responds: “I don't condone racism, but have we all become so petty? When I see or hear racism, I respond to it, but stop the one-way traffic towards the supporters. It gives them a bad image.”
Reporting point
The image with the shirts only covers part of the campaign, which Genk has called 'Not With Us'. From the home match against Standard Luik, next Sunday, the club will launch a reporting center for racism.
A QR code will be placed on each seat in the stadium, which supporters can scan 'to report racist or discriminatory behaviour directly and discreetly'. Striker Tolu is happy with the campaign in any case.
“It is painful to be attacked based on the colour of your skin. But I am proud that my club is now standing up so strongly against this injustice,” the Nigerian said on the club website.
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