Welcome to ‘Don’t Hate the Player, Love the Game’ – a new content series from VERSUS and EE that challenges all football fans to unite against hate. We want to build a culture of proud supporters who are worthy of wearing their national team’s shirt. To join us, you can visit the EE Proud Supporter hub to learn more.

Bobby Nwanze is a content creator, campaigner and community leader who’s been fighting hate and discrimination for as long as he can remember.

As a Nigerian-born boy who moved to Scotland after being scouted by Rangers as a nine-year-old, Bobby grew up as one of the only “Black boys with a Scottish accent” in his community. It was a far cry from his earliest years in South London, where ethnic diversity was part of the fabric of local life.

Bobby recognised his status in the community and chose to embrace the responsibility that came with it, chairing the BAME Network for Edinburgh Council and leading a wave of new, diverse content creators in Scottish football.

While he’s uncompromising on his quest for equality in Scottish football and beyond, he’s also experienced the sort of racial abuse and discrimination – in the terraces, and on the pitch – that’s still too common in the beautiful game.

Bobby has partnered with VERSUS and EE to back the ‘EE Proud Supporter’ programme – a bold new campaign that wants to create a football culture that’s free from hate. EE want to ensure every fan who wears their team’s shirt does so with pride.

After featuring in a new film – ‘Don’t Hate the Player, Love the Game’ – Bobby spoke with VERSUS about his love for Scottish culture, why we need harsher punishments for abusive fans, and what you can do to be a ‘Proud Supporter’.

VERSUS: What is your name and what do you do?

‍Bobby: I’m Bobby Nwanze and I’m currently the Head of Media at Stenhousemuir FC. I’m also a freelance presenter that’s featured on Sky Sports, BBC and the SFA. I’ve been battling racism ever since I was born and I’m a very unique individual. Visually, you see me as a Black man, but when you hear me, you hear this Scottish accent, and people still get surprised by that! I moved to Scotland in 1998 after I was very fortunate to be scouted by Rangers – I played for Scotland at youth level – so football has shaped my entire life journey.

I also battle racism and discrimination off the pitch. I’m the first Black leader on the City of Edinburgh Council and I’m the first chair of the BAME Network, which was created in 2020, and I’m very proud of that. I help staff members fight discrimination, I represent people in hearings, and I speak at schools to help educate the next generation. 

‍What are your earliest memories of international football?

My first international football memory was of John Collins scoring for Scotland against Brazil in 1998. Being a young Black boy in Scotland who loved football, and who found themselves in this country because of football, I was always going to watch Scotland at a major international tournament! I watched it entirely with white people – and I noticed that because back in London, most of my friends were Black and the white friends I did have, I almost didn’t see them as white because London was so multicultural that you never really distinguished people by race. In Scotland, it was different! 

It really helped me to understand my identity because Nigeria also played at that tournament – I was born in Abuja – but at the same time, watching Scotland play with my new community really helped me to understand and feel part of Scottish culture. That’s where my loyalty was now! When John Collins scored, there was such warmth and happiness that it made me feel like ‘one of them’ for the first time.

‍What does supporting your country mean to you?

Supporting Nigeria connects me with my heritage. I’ve not been back to the country since I was three-years-old but when I watch them play, it instills pride in me. My surname Nwanze means “King of Kings” and my middle name means “forever to be lucky”, and football provides me with the most regular way to connect with that part of my story. I’m with my people.

When I watch Scotland, it means everything to me. I live for Scottish culture, I breathe Scottish air, my community is Scottish, I speak with a Scottish accent. This is my adopted country! When I wear that Scottish shirt, I feel like the whole nation is together and that makes me feel happy. It also makes me feel like I’ve got a responsibility to support our people and go on this journey with them in the right way. 

‍What aspects of football fan culture are you most proud of?

It’s the ups and the downs! It’s the euphoria that comes with scoring and the immediate sense of unity that comes with it. A goal goes in and I’m celebrating with people of every background – there’s no division between people in those moments – we’re all in this together. Those moments highlight the diversity of modern Scotland. It’s so nice to have a community where you’re not judged by your skin colour, but accepted because of the jersey you’re wearing.

‍What aspects of football fan culture do you find the most troubling?

I think travelling to and from games can be an issue, especially when you’re part of a minority group. On buses or on trains, I can see people looking at my skin colour. I’ve had people tell me “I think you’re on the wrong bus, mate” – those sort of encounters still happen.

I have to admit it, there’s also an element where you still face trouble on the terraces. It becomes a bigger threat in the aftermath of a defeat. If my team loses, I often have to brace myself because ‘I’m going to get it here’. That’s the culture that scares me – I’m sitting here saying football’s ups and downs are brilliant but when it is down, I am a target.

Do you think pro players are the subject of too much criticism and abuse?

Yes. I’m not sure we can ever stop it, but we can definitely combat it. Unfortunately, small groups of people will always find a way to hate. Racial hate has gone from throwing a brick through someone’s window to sending abusive posts online. The form has changed but the message remains the same.

It’s a double-edged sword because fans want to be able to feel close to players – and social media has given them that opportunity – but that same access has opened players up to new forms of hate. How do we combat it? We need effective punishment.

If someone puts up monkey emojis and sends hate-filled messages, find them and charge them. We need the type of consequences that seriously make people change their behaviour. 

You wouldn’t say these things to your office colleague, to your neighbour, to your family members – why do they feel comfortable to do that to players? It’s because people feel anonymous, both in stadiums but also online. We need harsher punishments for all forms of hatred in football.

‍You’re talking about the need for action and accountability. This generation of players seems far more motivated to take action on issues of discrimination than any before. What do you think about that?

This generation of players has made me believe footballers can be role models. They’ve not been afraid to come forward and speak about the injustices they’ve seen in their own industry. What I’ve been particularly proud of is white players have supported Black players in their fight for quality, more men’s players have been supporting the women’s game – allyship and community has become such an important and visible part of the game. Society needs more of that.

‍Why is it important for football to be a tolerant and inclusive space for players and fans?

It’s important because the game should be representative of reality. Football can be something that everyone can identify with, the game is so accessible – and that’s true as kids playing in school or people watching the game together as adults. Football is not just a white man’s sport, it’s for everyone of all colours and all genders. 

‍What would your message be to any players or fans who are on the receiving end of abuse this summer?

Be strong and always continue to be yourself. Kill them with kindness. I’m not saying be a brick wall – we’re all human and it’s okay not to be okay – but love outshines hate. You have a responsibility to yourself to love yourself and others around you. Defeat any hate that comes your way by embodying the values we want to see in the game: openness, tolerance, love.

‍EE's proud supporter programme aims to educate fans and give people the tools to deal with various types of hate. How important is this kind of initiative in making a change in football?‍

The importance of this initiative is immense. In order to stop hate, we need to find a way to prevent such thoughts or behaviour from ever happening. Educating people on the importance of kindness and tolerance is only positive, and positivity is contagious. The change this type of work can provide is monumental.

‍EE are committed to bringing people together to stand against hate in football with their ‘Proud Supporter’ programme. Visit the EE Proud Supporter hub to learn more.