Black Lives Matter

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Fury as racist post about England football ace Bukayo Saka STAYS on Twitter because it ‘doesn’t break safety policies’

      by

      CAMPAIGNERS blasted X/Twitter today for failing to remove a fresh racist post targeting England and Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka.It included a vile photoshopped image and called him an “ape” — yet Elon Musk’s social media firm insisted it “did not violate safety policies”.Twitter/X failed to remove a racist post targeting England footballer Bukayo SakaCredit: The FA / GettyEquality think-tank British future slammed Twitter/X boss Elon Musk for a ‘systemic failure’ to tackle the most obvious and appalling racismCredit: ReutersThe disgusting tweet follows race-hate messages after the Euros final in 2021 in which Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho missed in a penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy.Furious Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate branded those offensive rants “unforgivable” and X/Twitter promised a crackdown.The latest taunt — sparking fears of more to come in this summer’s tournament — followed Arsenal’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.Saka, 22, believed he should have had a last-minute penalty but some posters accused him of trying to con the ref. READ MORE ON BUKAYO SAKAThe troll wrote that he “needs to be humbled before he ruins this sport any further” and posted the image.User Andrew Howard reported the post immediately. He wrote in an update: “Three days later, X says, ‘Nah, doesn’t violate our safety policies’, so it’s still up.“I guess that means it will be open season again this summer on England’s players. Pathetic.”Sunder Katwala, director of equality think-tank British Future, said: “There’s been a systematic failure by X/Twitter under Elon Musk to tackle even the most obvious and appalling racism, like this tweet.Most read in Football“It breaks all the promises they made after the Euros. And, if they don’t get their house in order, this year’s tournament will be blighted again. They need to sort it out.”Tory MP Tracey Crouch, vice-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Football Supporters, said: “This post is disgusting and simply unacceptable.Arsenal fans fall in love with Bukayo Saka after response to young kid asking him to join struggling League One club “X should take it down immediately and put measures in place to stop another torrent of racist abuse towards football players.”Earlier tonight, the FA also called on X/Twitter to remove the post.A spokesman told The Sun on Sunday: “Incidents of racism and discrimination have no place in football or wider society, and we are very concerned about the rise in online abuse in recent years.“We worked closely with the Government to ensure the newly introduced Online Safety Act effectively tackles offensive and discriminatory abuse online, and better protects social media users.“We continue to urge the Government to ensure the independent regulator, Ofcom, has sufficient powers to hold social media companies to account.“We also implore social media companies to introduce better tools so users are free from damaging discrimination.”According to the rules and policies section of X/Twitter’s website, “hateful conduct” is a violation of its safety guidelines.It defines this as attacking people “on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, caste, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation, age, disability, or serious disease”.The penalty for violations depends on the severity and the individual’s previous record. It can include suspending the account that posted it.However, in a direct reply to Mr Howard’s complaint, it said: “After reviewing the available information, we want to let you know it hasn’t broken our safety policies. “If this account breaks our policies in future, we’ll notify you.”Researchers found the use of offensive slurs increased after Musk took over the site in October 2022. READ MORE SUN STORIESBut the billionaire claims “hate speech impressions” have fallen.X/Twitter was approached for comment earlier today. More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      We must do anything to keep racist ‘fans’ out of grounds but I have serious doubts about Infantino’s plan

      by

      SERIOUS action must be taken against deluded football match attenders who attack players with racial slurs.Supporters? These individuals are not  supporting anything.They are sad, sick people and we must do anything necessary to keep them out of our stadiums.
      Gianni Infantino’s plan is ‘maybe not a sledgehammer but a poisonous substance’Credit: Reuters
      AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan talks to referee Fabio Maresca after facing racial abuse against Udinese last weekendCredit: Reuters
      I would support almost any sanction to prevent it but I do worry the about the method put forward by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who is preparing the ground for deducting points from any club whose fans brandish racial insults.
      Maybe not a sledgehammer this but certainly a poisonous substance. Dabbling with reducing points is dangerous.
      Nottingham Forest and Everton (again) are faced with similar actions and Manchester City might too to if, finally, the authorities budge themselves to move on what is said to be more than 100 cases of mysterious something-or-other offences.
      Points deductions strike at the very structure of our football.To cut them from clubs for other reasons bar putting the ball into the net is to hack down the goalposts and replace them with administrators.
      READ MORE TOP STORIES
      As a country, Britain has made substantial progress in equality for all races and sexes.
      But still all manner of vile racial behaviour continues to exist.
      Take the case of a guy, having watched viewed three of England’s black players miss shootout penalties in the Euro final in 2021, he then sent them despicable racial abuse on his Facebook account.
      He got a suspended sentence and had to pay £100 compensation — preposterous bearing in mind his crime would have had a massive impact on the trio representing their country in front of the world and their mental health.
      Most read in Football
      Think, too, of Nazi signals from the  terraces or cheers that follow racial taunts. It is a little surprising that no player has followed the examples of ‘coming-among-you byin your face’ Eric Cantona and Eric Dier.
      Clubs have worked hard to eliminate thugs and racists from our grounds.
      There isn’t one who would disagree with taking strong action and we are all ready with stewards, stand-by police, expulsions, education programmes and bans.
      But Infantino should do a white-shoe shuffle and try to reach a  different conclusion.
      Mine would be, with the greatest regret, to order stadium closure in the event of blatant racism.
      It might be surprising no-one has followed Eric Dier’s example
      Udinese in Serie A are an example. They just banned four fans for life and must play a match behind closed doors after racial abuse was directed at AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan last weekend.
      Closed doors are shameful to supporters, rightly, and for the club concerned it costs millions in gate, hospitality and catering revenue — let alone the millions likely to be lost from sponsors.
      A far better way to encourage supporters to police each other and clubs to take more action to eliminate the filth in the first place.
      Football’s a huge force in many people’s lives, reaching across all backgrounds, all ages and all sectors of life.
      It is a game supported by billions, played by millions and, nationally, contributes £7.6BILLION to the wider UK economy,  creating more than 94,000 jobs.
      Supporters can hiss and boo all they like. Even name-calling is sufferable as long as it isn’t personalised or filthy.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      We love football because it’s “the beautiful game” which may be a cliche but sums up the fundamental love that spread from our shores to the rest of the planet.
      Like race, sex, and religion, colour mustn’t matter and racism has no place in the game. All players are professionals who deserve our respect. More

    • 263 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Vile racist abuse directed at Vinicius Jr needs to STOP but Spanish football has shown no appetite to stamp it out

      by

      REAL MADRID star Vinicius Jr was targeted by mindless and vile racists. This has to stop.There can be no place for this  in our game —  in Spain, Switzerland, Sardinia or Swansea.
      Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr was subjected to vile racist abuse at ValenciaCredit: Rex
      But perhaps the most concerning aspect of all this has been the response from the Spanish football authorities.
      OK, while maybe you cannot physically stop the odd imbecile shouting abuse to anyone about anything — although you should try very hard — the events at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium were not one or two fans, from what I have seen.
      It was a sustained act committed  by lots of so-called supporters directed  at a player for one simple reason  — because he is black.
      Brazilian Vinicius should not have to put up with that in his day job and neither should anyone else.
      Read More on Football
      It is totally unacceptable in any job to be subjected to vile racist abuse at work, so why is football any different?
      You would assume the Spanish authorities would have come down very hard on Valencia and the culprits.
      We have CCTV cameras inside all our stadium nowadays and to pinpoint the perpetrators should be straightforward.
      True, arrests have been made, so we shall see where that goes.
      Most read in Football
      But the punishment to Valencia was this — a £39,000 fine and partial closure of the Mestalla for five games, specifically the Mario Kempes stand where the racist abuse was centred.
      Am I alone in thinking . . . what? A fine of less than £40,000 won’t exactly cause Valencia, one of the biggest clubs in Spain, any difficulty.
      And what about the message this sends out to other racists keen to jump on this particular vile bandwagon?
      It’s like giving a parking ticket to billionaire Bill Gates. As for a partial closure of the ground, a fat lot of good that will do.
      Spanish football chiefs have shown very little appetite to tackle racism in LaLigaCredit: Rex
      The next time these morons attend a game, do you think they will ponder for one second: ‘Oh, we’d better not do this because it could lead to a fine and closure of my favourite viewing point’.
      No, exactly.
      So the response from the authorities in Spain was risible — but what about Valencia Football Club.
      They made all the usual sounds about condemning racism, then announced they would APPEAL against the punishment as they felt it was out of proportion and unjustified.
      Let’s get this right, a section of your fanbase targets one of the world’s great players on the basis that he is black with disgusting racial abuse.
      You then receive a derisory punishment and your response in the Valencia boardroom is to complain. Unbelievably, they called it “totally unfair”.
      SunSport columnist Karren Brady slammed LaLiga’s response to the vile incidentCredit: Getty
      This is so ridiculous, so appalling, you could not make it up. And is probably why the club has a racist problem to start with.
      We have made great strides in English football to rid ourselves of  the curse of racism and that’s because it is no longer tolerated.
      Football doesn’t want it, fans don’t want it, players and managers don’t want it and we are fighting a battle every day to make sure black players are not targeted for racist abuse.
      Our clubs have shown that they will not accept it.
      But, in Spain, it appears a footballing genius like Vinicius has to put up with it. Not in 2023 he shouldn’t.
      Perhaps the saddest part of this whole shocking saga is Vinicius’ own words.
      Real Madrid star Vinicius hit out at LaLiga after being subjected to racist abuseCredit: Rex
      He tweeted after Sunday’s game: “Racism is normal in LaLiga.
      “I’m so sad. The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi today belongs to racism.”
      Many of the leading players across Europe have backed the Brazilian star, as have his Real team-mates, and well done to them for doing so.
      But my point is this — they simply shouldn’t have to.

      It is up to football and football’s authorities to clean this up, not individuals like Vinicius.
      From what I have seen and heard in Spain, there is precious little or no appetite to do so. More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Tottenham demand social media companies take action after Son Heung-min racially abused during Prem win against West Ham

      by

      TOTTENHAM have demanded social media companies act tougher on racial abuse after Son Heung-min was targeted against West Ham.The South Korea attacker faced what Spurs called “utterly reprehensible” online racism during Sunday’s 2-0 Prem win.
      Son Heung-min was targeted by racists yet againCredit: Getty
      Son Heung-min netted Spurs’ second goal just four minutes after coming off the bench but at the same time was facing abuse onlineCredit: Reuters
      Sub Son bagged the clinching goal as Tottenham went fourth but his joy was marred by sick comments on social media.
      And in a club statement the North Londoners said: “We have been made aware of the utterly reprehensible online racist abuse directed at Heung-Min Son during today’s match, which has been reported by the Club.
      “We stand with Sonny and once again call on the social media companies and authorities to take action.”
      Son, 30, has been the victim of online abuse before.
      Read More Sport
      And eight arrests were made following similar allegations in a 2-1 defeat against Manchester United in April 2021.
      Fans online rallied round Son on Sunday night.
      One posted: “This is disgraceful and disgusting behaviour, and it should be dealt with….. We stand with you, Sonny. Sending lots of love Sonny x”
      Another wrote: “Far too regular I’m not even shocked anymore. Sad world we live in.”
      Most read in Football
      And a third said: “It’s so sad how people always stoop so low.”
      Supporters of rival clubs shared the sentiment too.
      One posted: “Arsenal fan here to say that I hate spurs, but even so, racist behavior is disgusting. We gotta do better as a society.”
      And from the followers of Sunday’s visitors came this message: “As a West Ham fan we do not associate them with our club. You won fair and square. It’s embarrassing how low people go over a game of football.” More

    • 163 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea’s new £88m ace Mykhailo Mudryk forced to apologise after racist video emerges

      by

      CHELSEA footie star Mykhailo Mudryk was slammed after using the N-word in a video clip for fans.The new £88million signing, 22, repeated the toxic racial term in TikTok footage which has been viewed nearly 214,000 times.
      Mykhailo Mudryk was slammed after using the N-word in a video clip for fans viewed nearly 214,000 timesCredit: Getty
      Chelsea’s new £88million signing, 22, repeated the toxic racial term in the footageCredit: Getty
      The Premier League ace appeared alongside a pal in front of an Audi sports car for the 40-second TikTok clip
      Sources close to the Ukrainian winger, insist he was just trying to recite lyrics from US rapper Lil Baby’s 2017 hit Freestyle.
      Premier League new boy Mykhailo Mudryk has made a grovelling apology for the video.
      But fans and campaigners blasted the Ukrainian winger, 22, for using the language in the TikTok clip “irrespective of context”.
      Mudryk’s representative told The Sun: “Mykhailo is deeply sorry for any offence caused by the video posted on his TikTok account last July.
      READ MORE ON Mykhailo Mudryk
      “Whilst his intention was solely to recite lyrics of a song, Mykhailo regrets his decision and wholeheartedly accepts it was not appropriate. The video has since been removed.”
      “The video has since been removed.”
      Leading football anti-racism group Kick It Out blasted: “Kick It Out condemns the use of all racial slurs, including the N-word irrespective of context.
      “The N-word is deeply offensive and the use of this term by high-profile figures in football can only serve to alienate people from the game.
      Most read in Football
      “It is important that footballers use their significant platform in a positive way, and we’re encouraged to see that Mykhailo Mudryk has acknowledged the hurt caused by his use of this offensive slur.”
      Mudryk made his mega-money move to the Blues this month from Shakhtar Donetsk in his war-torn homeland.
      But last July, he appeared alongside a pal in front of an Audi sports car for the 40-second TikTok clip.
      With hands on their chests, the pair are seen repeating a line from Lil Baby’s 2017 hit Freestyle.
      The full track, lasting two minutes and 43 seconds, features the N-word 16 times.
      Black artists have blasted people of white heritage for using the term in the past.
      Sources close to the Ukrainian winger, insist he was just trying to recite lyrics from US rapper Lil Baby’s 2017 hit FreestyleCredit: Getty
      Mudryk’s representative told The Sun: ‘Mykhailo is deeply sorry for any offence caused by the video posted on his TikTok account last July’Credit: Getty
      Singer Kendrick Lamar declared in 2018: “I’ve been on this earth for 30 years and there’ve been so many things a Caucasian person said I couldn’t do.”
      He added: “So if I say this is my word, let me have this one word, please let me have that word.”
      Grime artist Yizzy has said: “If you use the word . . . and you’re not of any black heritage, in this modern day world, be prepared to face a backlash.”
      And Public Enemy rapper Chuck D has called for all artists to stop using the N-word in their music, highlighting “double standards” in the industry.
      Read More on The Sun
      Labour MP David Lammy said it was “probably the most offensive word” in the English language.
      Kick It Out said it works closely with clubs and players to “educate those involved in the game about the importance of being inclusive”.
      Grime artist Yizzy said: ‘If you use the word… and you’re not of any black heritage, in this modern day world, be prepared to face a backlash’ More

    • 225 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘It’s madness’ – Rio Ferdinand slams racist abuse towards Richarlison after Tottenham striker has banana thrown at him

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand slammed the vile racist abuse directed at Tottenham star Richarlison while on international duty with Brazil.The winger had a banana thrown at him by a yob from the stands during the Selecao’s 5-1 victory against Tunisia at Parc des Princes on Tuesday during their final game before the 2022 World Cup.
      Tottenham star Richarlison had a banana thrown at him while on Brazil dutyCredit: Twitter
      Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand slammed racist abuse directed at Richarlison
      The 25-year-old had put his nation 2-1 up during the friendly game in Paris and was celebrating when the fruit was thrown at him.
      Manchester United ace Fred then kicked the banana away with Richarlison appearing not to notice it until later.
      Ferdinand took to Instagram where he released a clip condemning the “mad” incident.
      The BT Sport pundit also criticised the media for the way they cover such incidents of racist abuse.
      Read More on Football
      Ferdinand said: “It’s disheartening, you got your own kids waking up and going, ‘Dad, seen that banana thrown on he pitch to Richarlison?’
      “It’s madness, there was probably as much vitriol and hysteria on social media and in media in general as there were with this racist incident as there was when Richarlison was doing kick-ups and he got smashed [at Nottingham Forest].
      “Let that sink in, it’s mad. It’s just crazy. That’s where the media feel in the way it’s reported that racism is not [up] there [as] something we absolutely need to discuss and sort out. It’s not there, it don’t sit there man.”
      Richarlison addressed the sickening scenes after full-time and stated that the person responsible needs to be “identified and punished”.
      Most read in Football
      Prior to kick-off, the ex-Everton ace and his team-mates posed next to an anti-racism banner after racist abuse Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior received from Atletico Madrid fans and an agent.
      Richarlison said after the match: “I was talking about this with [Roberto] Firmino, saying that I think God did not allow me to see that because I don’t know what I could have done in the heat of the moment.
      “May this fan be identified and punished. It’s hard. You see what happened with Vinicius Junior recently and now this, inside a stadium… May this incident teach other people not to do it.” More

    • 188 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Why aren’t Premier League players taking the knee this weekend and will the gesture return?

      by

      PREMIER LEAGUE football is back in full flow but fans may notice that one particular pre-match ritual hasn’t returned.Since midway through 2020, Premier League players have been taking the knee before games to show solidarity against racism and other forms of discrimination.
      Premier League players have been taking the knee since 2020Credit: Reuters
      On the first weekend of the 2022/23 season, the players continued to take the knee before kick-off.
      But in a move announced by the Premier League, the pre-match gesture will be scrapped for the majority of the rest of the season, and used only for specific moments.
      This weekend will be the first in over two years that the gesture won’t be carried out by players.

      Why aren’t players taking the knee this season?
      A Premier League statement read: “Ahead of the new season, Premier League club captains have reaffirmed their commitment to fighting racism and all forms of discrimination.
      “The players have decided to use specific moments during the upcoming campaign to take the knee, to amplify the message that racism has no place in football or society.
      “The Premier League supports the players’ decision and, alongside the clubs, will use these opportunities to elevate anti-racism messaging as part of the League’s No Room for Racism Action Plan.”
      Has taking the knee been scrapped?
      Not entirely.
      Taking of the knee will still be used for specific significant moments throughout the season, but not every week.
      These include the first game of the season, the last game of the season, the Boxing Day round of fixtures and No Room For Racism weekends.
      And in a collective statement, the 20 Premier League captains suggested that taking of the knee would be used for significant moments throughout the upcoming season.
      Most read in Football
      FABULOUS BINGO: Get a £20 bonus & 30 free spins when you spend £10 today
      “We remain resolutely committed to eradicate racial prejudice, and to bring about an inclusive society with respect and equal opportunities for all,” they said.
      The taking of the knee will still occur before the FA Cup and Carabao Cup finals.
      Boxing Day will also see the gesture carried out.
      It was also announced that the Premier League would be donating £238,000 to youth clubs on behalf of the 20 captains, with half of that amount coming from the revenue earned from the ‘No Room for Racism’ sleeve badges. More

    • 200 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Why aren’t Premier League players taking the knee this weekend and has the gesture been scrapped?

      by

      PREMIER LEAGUE football is back in full flow this season but fans may notice that one particular pre-match ritual hasn’t returned.Since midway through 2020, Premier League players have been taking the knee before games to show solidarity against racism and other forms of discrimination.
      Premier League players have been taking the knee since 2020Credit: Reuters
      On the first weekend of the 2022/23 season, the players continued to take the knee before kick-off.
      But in a move announced by the Premier League, the pre-match gesture will be scrapped for the majority of the rest of the season, and used only for specific moments.
      This weekend will be the first in over two years that the gesture won’t be carried out by players.

      Why aren’t players taking the knee this season?
      “Ahead of the new season, Premier League club captains have reaffirmed their commitment to fighting racism and all forms of discrimination,” the Premier League said in a statement.
      “The players have decided to use specific moments during the upcoming campaign to take the knee, to amplify the message that racism has no place in football or society.
      “The Premier League supports the players’ decision and, alongside the clubs, will use these opportunities to elevate anti-racism messaging as part of the League’s No Room for Racism Action Plan.”
      Has taking the knee been scrapped?
      Not entirely.
      Taking of the knee will still be used for specific significant moments throughout the season, but not every week.
      And in a collective statement, the 20 Premier League captains suggested that taking of the knee would be used for significant moments throughout the upcoming season.
      Most read in Football
      FABULOUS BINGO: Get a £20 bonus & 30 free spins when you spend £10 today
      “We remain resolutely committed to eradicate racial prejudice, and to bring about an inclusive society with respect and equal opportunities for all,” they said.
      The taking of the knee will still occur before the FA Cup and Carabao Cup finals.
      Boxing Day will also see the gesture carried out.
      It was also announced that the Premier League would be donating £238,000 to youth clubs on behalf of the 20 captains, with half of that amount coming from the revenue earned from the ‘No Room for Racism’ sleeve badges. More