Why Black Players Don’t Get a Fair Chance in England’s National Team

For a country that prides itself on diversity, England’s national team still raises eyebrows when it comes to the treatment of Black players. Time and time again, talented Black footballers have been overlooked, scapegoated, or quietly benched while others with similar or lesser credentials flourish. Why?

Let’s talk facts. Players like Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Fikayo Tomori, and even Jadon Sancho have struggled to get consistent call-ups — despite stellar club performances at various points. Meanwhile, others with patchy form somehow remain fixtures in the squad. Is it really just about “system fit” or “attitude”? Or are those coded terms hiding something deeper?

When Black players succeed, they're “one of us.” But when they fail, they become outsiders again.

Consider this: when Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho missed penalties in the Euro 2020 final, they didn’t just face sporting criticism. They received a wave of racist abuse online. The FA condemned it, but the silence from parts of the media and public figures was deafening.

To be fair, Gareth Southgate has given many Black players a platform. Raheem Sterling was a regular starter under his reign. Saka has been trusted in big games. Southgate has spoken openly against racism and has tried to set a new tone. But even he’s not immune to criticism when meritocracy seems to take a backseat to politics or media pressure.

So what’s really happening? Is there institutional bias baked into the system — not always overt, but persistent? Or is the public just impatient, expecting every talented player to walk straight into the starting XI?

My Take

There’s progress, no doubt. But there’s also a double standard. Black players often have to be exceptional just to be considered — while others can afford to be average and still get the benefit of the doubt. It's not about blaming individuals — it’s about fixing a system where bias can thrive quietly beneath the surface.

If England wants to truly represent its modern identity — bold, diverse, and equal — then equal opportunity shouldn’t feel like a privilege. It should be the baseline.

What do you think? Is the playing field really level — or is there more to this story than people want to admit? Let’s talk in the comments. 👇