Dear Colleagues:

With the ongoing "Days of Rage" in Paris and environs involving African immigrants and their France-born descendants and others, it is probably a good idea for those African immigrants and descendants more prominent and prosperous in France, particularly naturalized or native-born citizens in the football (soccer) industry, to speak up, one way or the other. If they had a social conscience, these prominent Africans are in the best position to stop the violence - and yet negotiate the very best post-rage deal for the immigrants.

Are they listening ?


Bolaji Aluko

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BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/3151583.stm

The export of African football talent to Europe has a long history which can be traced back to the colonial period.
For example, some of the finest players from Senegal and Cameroon have honed their skills in France - the former colonial master.
However, the world is also awash with African-born players who changed nationality for one reason or another.
Zinedine Zidane, Claude Makelele, Patrick Vieira and Marcel Desailly are some of the better-known stars of African origin.
Our Out of Africa section will track the fortunes of players with African roots as they parade their skills in some of the world's top leagues.
Listed below are some of the players with African roots and the countries they now represent.
But if you know of any player of African origin whose name does not appear on our list, please let us know by emailing us at african.football@bbc.co.uk
Zinedine Zidane: France (Algeria)
Sidney Govou: France (Benin)
Jean-Alain Boumsong: France (Cameroon)
Charles Itanje: France (Cameroon)
Bruno N'Gotty: France (Cameroon)
Pascal Nouma: France (Cameroon)
Henrik Larsson: Sweden (Cape Verde)
Manuel dos Santos: France (Cape Verde)
Rio Mavuba: France (DR Congo)
Claude Makelele: France (DR Congo)
Kiki Musampa: Holland (DR Congo)
Peguy Luyindula: France (DR Congo)
Blaise N'Kufo: Switzerland (DR Congo)
Emile Mpenza: Belgium (DR Congo)
Mbo Mpenza: Belgium (DR Congo)
Kiki Musampa: Holland (DR Congo)
Ali Maboula Lukunku: France (DR Congo)
Gaby Mudingayi: Belgium (DR Congo)
Patrick Dimbala: Belgium (DR Congo)
Vincent Kompany: Belgium (DR Congo)
Jose Bosingwa da Silva: Portugal (DR Congo)
Rami Shabaan: Sweden (Egypt)
Youssouf Hersi: Holland (Ethiopia)
John Alieu Carew: Norway (Gambia)
Freddy Adu: United States (Ghana)
Gerald Asamoah: Germany (Ghana)
Marcel Desailly: France (Ghana)
George Boateng: Holland (Ghana)
Eric & Daniel Ofori Okyere: Belgium (Ghana)
Quincy Owusu-Abeyie: Holland (Ghana)
Miguel: Portugal (Guinea Bissau)
Olivier Kapo: France (Ivory Coast)
Djibril Cisse: France (Ivory Coast)
Collins John: Holland (Liberia)
Vikash Dhorasoo: France (Mauritius)
Yassine Benajiba: Belgium (Morocco)
Abel Xavier: Portugal (Mozambique)
Patrick Owomoyela: Germany (Nigeria)
Emmanuel Olisadebe: Poland (Nigeria)
Shola Ameobi: England (Nigeria)
Okonkwo Digger Ifeani: Malta (Nigeria)
Ugochukwu Ehiogu:England (Nigeria)
George Ndah: England (Nigeria)
Nedum Onuoha: England under-20 (Nigeria)
Laurent Robert: France (Reunion)
Didier Agathe: France (Reunion)
Patrick Vieira: France (Senegal)
Ibrahim Ba: France (Senegal)
David Bellion: France (Senegal)
Carlton Cole: England (Nigeria/Sierra Leone)
Ryan Giggs: Wales (Sierra Leone)
Fabio Liverani: Italy (Somalia)
Sean Dundee: Germany (South Africa)
Sabri Lamouchi: France (Tunisia)
Robert Earnshaw: Wales (Zambia)
Jeff Whitley: Northern Ireland (Zambia)

NOTE: The above list does not include African citizens (like Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria) Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), etc. ) who play for European clubsides.