A History of the Most Racist Moments in Recent European Soccer

Racism against Balotelli is just the tip of the iceberg.

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Complex Original

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If there's controversy involved in European soccer, you can be sure that Mario Balotelli's name is never far from the headlines. Recently, Balotelli has been plastered all over newspapers from Manchester to Milan due to his antics on and off the pitch. However, sometimes it really isn't his fault. Look to a recent press conference held by Paolo Berlusconi, younger brother of AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi, where he used a few choice words to describe Super Mario that can only be viewed as racism. Racism has been prevalent throughout European soccer history, and despite recent campaigns to try and eradicate the game of such offenses, many players past and present are wondering if the game will ever really be clean.

What's the old adage, if we don't learn from the past we are doomed to repeat it? Well, we'll do our part. From Paolo Berlusconi's ill-guided comments, to the insanity of Zenit St. Petersburg supporters, we present A History of the Most Racist Moments in Recent European Soccer.

Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)

"Football Language?"

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Last Dance

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Kick It Out

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Mending Fences

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The Benchmark

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Mic'd Up

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The Lions Make History

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No More Monkey Business

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The Motivator

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Ironic Injustice

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Nothing Like Home Cooking

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What Proof?

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Arts and Crafts

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Smells Like Racism

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Oink, Oink

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That's Not Kosher

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From Russia With Hate

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The "Toon" of Hate

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The Old Lady is Mean

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Don't Hate the Playa, Hate the Game

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Euell Strikes Back

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Cold As Ice

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Quit Monkeying Around

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Just Zenit Being Zenit

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Mono...

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A Love/Hate Relationship

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Walk it Out

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Roman Rules

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Danny Rose Goes H.A.M.

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Captain Crazy

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New Den, Same Racists

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The Zenit Xenophobes

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Why Always Him?

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