Vermont Green's Commitment to Anti-Racism
Soccer Sheet speaks with Vermont Green co-founder Patrick Infurna about the club’s values and partnership with the Anti-Racist Soccer Club coalition.
The day after Juneteenth saw another high-profile incident of racism in soccer on U.S. soil.
After tackling Lionel Messi in last night’s Copa America match in Atlanta, Canadian defender Moise Bombito became the target of racist invective on his Instagram.
Canada Soccer released the following statement after the 2-0 loss to Argentina:
Canada Soccer is aware of and deeply disturbed by racist comments made online and directed at one of our Men’s National Team players following tonight’s match. We are in communication with CONCACAF and CONMEBOL about this matter.
Bombito was more succinct, with an Instagram post that read “My beautiful Canada. No room for that bs.”
Unfortunately, it’s yet another example of why tolerance and nondiscrimination are not enough; rather, soccer players deserve a clear commitment to anti-racism from their clubs, teammates, and supporters.
In the words of Vermont Green co-founder Patrick Infurna, incidents like this are “not shocking, because they happen way too often.”
Vermont Green is Leading the Way as an Anti-Racist Soccer Club
Earlier this year, Vermont Green FC was the first “cupset” story of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament.
In their first-ever Cup match, the Green defeated Lexington SC 4-3 in front of 4,500 fans at Virtue Field in Burlington, Vt. on March 19. As a USL League 1 side, Lexington SC is a fully professional club and a level above the Green on the US soccer pyramid, so it was a surprise when the Green went up 3-1 in the first half, then held on to win.
Though the Green would lose in the second round to MLS NEXT Pro side Carolina Core FC in a snowy April battle, the club made an immediate impression with their exciting style of play and energized fan base.
However, what may be even more notable about the Green is their foundational commitment to anti-racism. In April, after incidents of racism at the MLS NEXT Generation adidas Cup, I spoke with the Green’s Patrick Infurna about the club’s values and partnership with the Anti-Racist Soccer Club coalition.
“It goes without saying, this is a horrific and unacceptable,” said Infurna when asked about the incidents at the GA Cup in April. “I have such respect for the players who showed wiseness and bravery beyond their years to pull themselves, as a collective, from the tournament to address the issue and protect themselves. It is a shame that they had to sacrifice their involvement and a shame they were not protected.”
A major criticism of the responses across world soccer to incidents of racism, sexism, and homophobia is that they are generally reactive, not proactive. In many cases, including the Charlotte FC Academy’s response to the GA Cup incidents, it has been up to the players, clubs, and staff to lead the way while they wait on responses and action from their respective leagues and confederations.
Putting words into action is also a priority for the Vermont Green.
“In the clear and concise words of Angela Davis,” said Infurna, “it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.”
The club has adopted a ten-point plan with Anti-Racist Soccer Club to demonstrate their commitment to "addressing “various aspects of inequity in soccer and the club’s local community.” The plan commits the club to:
Invest resources into our communities to further diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Increase representation to reflect the community and sport in which we operate.
Educate our community about racism and anti-racist behaviors.
Support the protest or removal of the National Anthem.
Provide a platform for all players to speak openly and freely about social injustices and inequality.
Expand access to the sport and work towards equitable play.
Commit to actively working to end police brutality.
Pledge to increase support for Black-owned and Black-led organizations.
Partner with organizations that will support anti-racist efforts.
Make matches more accessible and more inviting to marginalized communities.
In addition, the club released a case study about their anti-racist work, what Infurna described to me as “the latest outline for how our club is specifically addressing racism in soccer in our direct community.”
The case study is worth a read, not only for soccer fans and people in the social justice movement, but also for front offices and marketing departments looking to grow the reach of their clubs. The following numbers popped out from a fan engagement survey in the case study:
Being intentional about building community pays off:
99% of respondents feel the club is an important part of the community.
Purpose beyond sport resonates (locally and online):
95% of respondents strongly/somewhat agreed that the club’s environmental justice mission is important to them.
“Atmosphere” and “club values” were the top two reasons why respondents attended matches.
70% of fans strongly/somewhat agreed that VGFC helped them view environmental challenges and social justice as more interconnected.
We drew support from outside traditional sports fans:
67% of respondents did not regularly attend college, amateur, or professional soccer games.
14% of respondents were not a fan of any other soccer team.
Supporters want more from sports clubs:
96% of respondents wished more sports teams would take a public stand on climate change. Notably, the club publicly talked about climate change through the lens of climate justice.
“We have incredible resources here in Burlington through our fans, staff, players, partners, and the broader community to keep the conversation of addressing racism in the game at the forefront of our club,” said Infurna, “but we are as vulnerable as any without proactivity.”
Time will tell how effective Vermont Green’s approach is, or if they’re able to successfully put all of their principles into action, but as long as incidents like the GA Cup and yesterday’s against Moise Bombito continue to happen, a proactive approach to combatting racism in soccer is needed.
“No community is immune,” said Infurna, “so every community has to be prepared.”