The Justin Fashanu Foundation
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Fashanu , a young black player at Norwich City , produced a goal of outrageous ingenuity and flamboyance against the best team in the land – Liverpool .
From outside the box , with his back to goal , he flipped the ball in the air with one foot before unleashing a ferocious volley with the other , sending the ball flying past England goalkeeper Ray Clemence . Perhaps the greatest element of this was Fahanu ’ s reaction after the goal – complete calm , as if this kind of nonchalant improvisation was as natural as breathing . These days , it would go viral . In many ways , all roads to diversity and difference could easily lead back to this one majestic moment .
Alas , for Justin , this was as good as it got . Although he secured a move to European Champions , Nottingham Forest , a combination of racist abuse , anachronistic management structures throughout football and the pressure of his undisclosable sexuality ( a taboo he courageously broke in 1990 ) conspired to curtail his astonishing talent .
But it could have been so different . As the net was struck by that ball , a lightning bolt should have thus lanced the timespace continuum ; crushing antiquated ideologies and paving a way to the new
The Justin Fashanu Foundation
A big shout out to The Justin
Fashanu Foundation , which was created by his niece , Amal . The charity passionately preserves Justin ’ s footballing legacy , while serving to remind people of his remarkable personal story .
It also raises awareness of mental health , racism and homophobia , and supports gay
footballers who feel unable to come out .
Furthermore , by showing the positive chapters of Justin ’ s legacy the Foundation also inspires others to believe in themselves , use their natural talent and – above all – be precisely who they want to be . sustainabilitymag . com 161