Bradford Bulls have responded to racist posts on social media with a defiant statement that has since been backed up and supported by the Rugby Football League.
Yesterday, they posted a video of an Islamic call to prayer taking place inside Odsal Stadium.
🙏 Call to prayer over Bartercard Odsal Stadium. pic.twitter.com/pa6kDaKvKP
— Bradford Bulls (@OfficialBullsRL) March 19, 2024
In response to this, there were over 100 comments, with many racist in nature but this is in spite of the fact that Bradford is one of the country’s most diverse cities.
Today, the Bulls have released a powerful statement, saying: “It’s not about IMG points. It’s not about ticking boxes.
“Rugby league is a sport for ALL.
“Bradford Bulls are a club for ALL.
“Bartercard Odsal Stadium is a place for ALL.
“Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, you are welcome here.”
You are welcome here. pic.twitter.com/dInLxMRE4I
— Bradford Bulls (@OfficialBullsRL) March 20, 2024
The RFL have now thrown their support behind the Bulls defiant response, taking to social media to state: “During the month of Ramadan, clubs are hosting iftar events to bring fans & communities together to break fast in their stadiums. The live performance of the adhan at Odsal Stadium demonstrates @OfficialBullsRL’s commitment to creating an increasingly inclusive environment.”
The holy month of Ramadan, in which Muslimes fast during the day, is currently underway and it’s a common practice across the UK but particularly in Bradford with the 2021 census revealing that over 30% of people in the city identified as Muslim.
However, there have been issues regarding racism in the city’s sport teams’ fanbases over the years. An alleged racist incident stopped a Bradford City FC game against AFC Wimbledon in February.
As for the Bulls, they’ve generally been a very diverse club which is what makes the responses on social media even more disheartening.
Bradford Bulls make funding appeal
The club issued a statement yesterday asking for more funding to develop Odsal.
Credit: Imago Images
The statement included: “In the past couple of years Wakefield Council has provided £6M, to be shared between three professional clubs Castleford, Featherstone and Wakefield Trinity, with a further £11M to reacquire the historic Belle Vue site and for the building of the new Neil Fox MBE Stand.
“In meantime Odsal Stadium, equally if not even more iconic, has remained under invested in and is slipping backwards relative to all other mainstream rugby league venues.
On the field, Bradford Bulls were beaten 42-12 by Wakefield Trinity on Friday in their league opener.
They also lost 26-12 to Widnes Vikings in Round Four of the Challenge Cup.
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