We all have a responsibility to challenge racism

We've all been gripped by the football over the past few weeks, regardless of who we were supporting. But the shocking racist abuse that followed the final is horrendous and we all have a responsibility to challenge it.

On Sunday, the nation was gripped by the Euros final. There has been an extraordinary amount of interest from football lovers and non-football lovers alike within Emperor. ‘Even I watched the football’ an oft-heard phrase around the real and virtual offices.

We had friendly rivalries from competing nations across the business, and not just between the Scottish and English offices. There's been plenty of interest in the Emperor sweepstake too, won by Ailsa Hutchison, our Operations Supervisor in London.?

As always there are nations that disappoint, or put up a gallant fight but destined to be plucky losers. It’s usually been England in previous tournaments, but France fell into that ‘disappointing’ bracket, much to the frustration of Valentin Ramousse, our French Head of International Business Development. Scotland and Sweden were plucky losers. Sarah Eklund, our Swedish/Irish Marketing Manager always takes pride in cheering either of her countries, however they perform.

There’s been conflicting loyalties within households, no more so than the Howells, where Stefanie, our Head of Digital Project Management saw her country Germany finally succumb to England in a major tournament. Her son Freddie, having split loyalties over who to support, finally opted to stay neutral and support North Macedonia. Christina Brusendorff, our Senior Brand Strategist had a tough night looking after her inconsolable Welsh husband after Denmark's 4-0 win in the last 16. Kingsley and myself were privileged to get tickets to the semi-final, having gone together to the last one 25 years ago. Daniele De Blasio, our Italian Digital Strategist saw his nation deservedly win the final after the heartbreak of a penalty shoot out.

For me, the Euro's has been an opportunity not just to enjoy the first major tournament with fans since lockdown began, but to watch what was a harmonious competition and a diverse and united England team playing their hearts out for their progressive manager, and indeed the nation.?

It was therefore thoroughly depressing to witness some of the thuggish behaviour during the day of the final, but that paled into insignificance to the dreadful racist abuse that our fine young players have had to take subsequently. Young lads and splendid role models from different backgrounds bringing a nation together, all contributing enormously to getting England to its first final in 55 years, vilified and abused for taking an unsuccessful penalty, despite having the courage and maturity beyond their years to stand up and be counted in the first place.?

As a business, I have stated both internally and externally that we have to make more effort in ensuring that equity, diversity and inclusion is baked into everything we do. We now have an ED&I team of 20 people from across the business, with Inclusive Group helping us map out a framework with challenging short, medium and long-term commitments. Sunday's events show that we still have a long way to go. Racism unfortunately is still a scourge that permeates every aspect of society, including the workplace, and we all have a responsibility to challenge it whenever we see it.