Hubert Lawrence | A trap set by history

In the middle of the recently concluded FIFA World Cup, a kind gentleman told me, "We have to support the Motherland now." When I asked for clarity, he specified that with Brazil and all the African teams eliminated, the only option was to support England. For him, the presence of Jamaica's Raheem Sterling on the England team sealed the decision.

Though Jamaicans have always supported World Cup and club teams that included black players, his declaration made me think. I don't watch sport with race and geopolitics as an overlay. By my way of sport-thinking, such a bent might promote bias. Yet, that gentleman's pragmatic support for England had me thinking.

Many supported France all the way because of the black players on its roster. Social media had quaintly dubbed the French triumph a win for Africa. Indeed, blacks play for France. Belgium and France, who along with eventual runner-up Croatia, reached the semi-final round, largely because of a colonial past.

The outstanding Basil Ince book, Black Meteors, outlines the history of the Caribbean in international track and field. Published in 2012, the book by the 1976 Trinidad and Tobago Olympic team manager also touches the colonial background to the arrival of blacks on European sport teams. In one section, he quotes a former French head of state, who pinpoints the irony of it all.

THE TABLES HAVE TURNED

"It is a trap set by history", Pierre Mesmerr, who was prime minister in the 1970s, once lamented. "We in France and Europe have been accustomed to colonising the world. Now the foreigners are coming here to us".

Support for France and Belgium grew during the World Cup for footballing reasons, too. Both teams were impressive and the Belgians gained some fans after they eliminated the favoured Brazil.

Sterling bought England some support, too, but the 'motherland' label was a surprise. It came not long after the untidy Windrush matter, which found Jamaicans who had been invited to rebuild Britain after World War II being ushered out until wiser heads prevailed.

The jolt subsided. I continue to watch sport without letting my geopolitics impose. After all, high-quality teams and sportsmen deserve admiration for their skills no matter their colour or history. That's the beauty of the World Cup and the Olympic Games. Though politics is ever present, they give us a chance to escape once every four years.

- Hubert Lawrence is a Liverpool fan who has made notes at trackside since 1980.