The Hoddle of Coffee: Tottenham Hotspur news and links for Thursday, April 22

Hi, all!

Defender Kerys Harrop is at the top of today’s Hoddle. Also, the José Mourinho got fired playlist is still taking submissions.

Ramble of the Day

This month, a group of people embedded in the sport in the US launched the Anti-Racist Soccer Club, which provides resources to clubs and supporters’ groups on anti-racist work. The group’s chairwoman and ex-Washington Spirit defender Kaiya McCullough did an interview with All for XI about it, which I highly recommend reading. One of the topics of conversation was ARSC’s 10 point plan for accountability, and McCullough describes the purpose of it:

This shouldn’t be a label that clubs can slap on, a “certified antiracist” stamp that lets fans consume a product guilt-free. For any group wanting to join ARSC, McCullough encourages them to ask themselves some key questions.

“What are you doing this for? Are you doing this because, you know, it’s good PR, it’s good publicity, it’s what fans are expecting. Or are you doing it because you actually want to protect your Black players and your players of color,” she said.

It continues a conversation in NWSL circles after the Chicago Red Stars’ Sarah Gorden accused a security guard of racially profiling her and her boyfriend. In a statement, the Black Women’s Player Collective, the group was clear that it was not an isolated incident, writing: “In this league, it is not unprecedented for a Black player’s family member to be approached and treated with unwanted hostility.”

Some may feel good publicity is the way to sell it, but McCullough and ARSC preach a holistic approach to practicing anti-racism. It might be a slow one, but it is clearly one centered around remembering that there are humans in the equation, who are deserving of equal opportunity and safe, encouraging work environments.

Links of the Day

PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi was re-elected to UEFA’s executive committee as the European Club Association representative.

JP Morgan Chase’s sustainability rating was downgraded after the bank funded the failed Super League.

Schalke supporters attacked the players after the team was relegated from the Bundesliga.
Stéphanie Frappart will become the first woman to referee matches during a men’s European Championship this year.

Costa Rican side Saprissa made three coaching announcements in the span of five hours.

A longer read: Brian Straus interviews US Soccer sporting director Earnie Stewart on the process of evaluating why the U-23 USMNT failed to qualify for the Olympics yet again for Sports Illustrated