**Racist Abuse in the Beautiful Game: Okpara Demands Action** The beautiful game of football, which is meant to unite people from different backgrounds, has once again been marred by the ugly head of racism. Former Nigerian international Godwin Okpara is calling for decisive action to be taken against those responsible for racist abuse targeted at Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare. The incident occurred on social media after Arokodare missed a crucial penalty during a Wolves match against Crystal Palace. Okpara, who was a key player for the Nigerian national team in the 1990s and early 2000s, is deeply disturbed by the fact that racist abuse still persists in the game. "In this day and age, it's unacceptable that fans can resort to racist abuse. Football is a sport that should bring people together, not tear them apart," he said in an interview. Okpara believes that fans who engage in such behavior should be banned from stadiums, and that football governing bodies like FIFA and UEFA must take strong action against them. The issue of racism in football is not new in Nigeria. In 2018, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) was criticized for its handling of racist incidents during a World Cup qualifier against Algeria. The incident highlighted the need for more effective measures to be put in place to prevent and address racist abuse in the game. Okpara's call for action is a reminder that the fight against racism in football is far from over, and that it requires the collective efforts of players, officials, and governing bodies to eradicate this scourge from the game. As Okpara pointed out, fans who engage in racist abuse should be held accountable for their actions. "Racism has no place in football, and those who perpetuate it must face the consequences. It's not just about the fans; it's about creating a safe and inclusive environment for all players, regardless of their background or ethnicity," he said. Ultimately, Okpara's demand for action against racist abuse in football is a call to all stakeholders in the game to join forces and create a more inclusive and respectful environment for everyone involved.