Black Lives Matter

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi plays in Sunday league game 12 hours after Champions League match in Germany

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      CHELSEA star Callum Hudson-Odoi amazed spectators by turning up for a Sunday league game — little more than 12 hours after a Champions League match in Germany.
      The £120,000-a-week winger flew back from a 4-1 defeat against mighty Bayern Munich to take the kick-off for Saha FC against Lambeth Allstars FC.

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      Callum Hudson-Odoi plays in Champions League match on Saturday between 8pm-9.45pmCredit: AP:Associated Press

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      Callum, left, playing for Sunday league side Saha FC against Lambeth Allstars at 10.30am today
      The game was part of an anti-knife crime Black Lives Matter event in Croydon, South London.
      However, the presence of the 19-year-old, capped three times by England, could not stop Saha FC going down 5-3.
      One onlooker said: “Everyone recognised him and he was chatting to everyone. 
      “He knew a few of the boys from Saha FC so that’s why he was there. People couldn’t believe it.

      “He didn’t seem tired, he was just happy to help support the event.”

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      The Star posed with a fan in Croydon

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      An onlooker said: ‘Everyone recognised him and he was chatting to everyone’

      On Saturday night, Hudson-Odoi was unlucky to have a long-range effort chalked off while playing the full Champions League match in Munich’s Allianz Arena, which finished just after 9.45pm.
      By 10.30am the next day he was wearing the No 11 shirt as Saha FC, of the Croydon Municipal Sunday Football Adult League, kicked off the pre-season friendly on a 4G pitch at Selhurst Arena.
      Opponents Lambeth Allstars tweeted: “Thanks Callum Hudson-Odoi for coming out today, supporting our anti-knife crime BLM community event.”

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      Winger Callum Hudson-Odoi goes from Champions League to Sunday league in 12 hoursCredit: Reuters

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      in Motorsport

      F1 star Magnussen refused to kneel at British GP for first time to ‘separate’ himself from Black Lives Matter politics

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      KEVIN MAGNUSSEN has explained why he did not take a knee ahead of the British Grand Prix last weekend – when he had done so in the previous three races.
      The Dane decided to stand with the other six drivers ahead of the race at Silverstone for the anti-racism message.

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      Kevin Magnussen (back, right) took a knee in the early races of the seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      But the Haas racer (near, left) stood for the British GP while others continued to take a kneeCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The Haas F1 driver had previously explained his concerns that the gesture of kneeling is associated with the Black Lives Matter organisation.
      And ahead of the race this weekend, he says he now wants to separate himself from supporting a political organisation, but says he is committed to supporting the anti-racism messaging.
      He said: “I think in terms of standing or kneeling, I want to make sure that I’m with the messaging of ending racism.
      “I support that movement, and not any sort of political organisation that I think the Black Lives Matter movement is.

      “I kind of just want to separate myself from that, and then push on with ending racism and that messaging, which I think is great that Formula One is doing and that all of the drivers are supporting.”
      F1 has failed to gather total unity over taking a knee with several drivers not taking part in pre-race shows of support.

      I am really proud of all the drivers wearing the end racism t-shirts and I think there is progression.
      Lewis Hamilton

      However, each racer has vowed to help end racism and world championship leader Lewis Hamilton is hopeful of further progress being made.
      He said: “I’m not going to tell you my opinion on whether everyone needs to [take a knee] or not.

      “But if you look at all the other sports – look at basketball, look at football, Spanish teams, Italian teams, teams all over the world – no matter what nationality or mixture, they are all doing it united.
      “You’ve got players from Russia, players from Spain. So I think it is a work in progress.

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      “But when the reason for perhaps not doing it is how you think it would be perceived in your country, all you have to do is look at the other sports, because they are doing it.
      “So I do hope that bit by bit we can come more and more together and more united.
      “I am really proud of all the drivers wearing the end racism t-shirts and I think there is progression.
      “I don’t know why Magnussen hadn’t done it, I’ve not spoken to him. But I think we will just try to improve each other’s understanding.”

      Lewis Hamilton blasts Formula 1 drivers after Hungarian Grand Prix win as anti-racism message continues to fall flat More

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      in Motorsport

      Lando Norris slams Hungarian GP kneel farce as a ‘mess’ and calls on Formula One to give drivers time to show support

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      LANDO NORRIS says drivers are united behind Formula One’s anti-racism message.
      And the sport is planning an ‘end racism’ protest before Sunday’s British Grand Prix.

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      The scenes before the Hungarian GP were a real disappointmentCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Lando Norris has vowed to continue to take a knee before races
      There were shambolic scenes in Hungary as some drivers wore ‘end racism’ T-shirts while others did not. Some did not even line up alongside their fellow stars.
      The message was they were split, with world champion Lewis Hamilton calling out Grand Prix Drivers Association director Romain Grosjean for not wanting to continue the public show of support.
      He also accused Formula One and the sport’s governing body, the FIA, of “lacking leadership”.
      But after crunch talks, Brit Norris, 20, insisted: “We are united in agreeing with what we support as a community of F1 drivers.

      “Whether we do take the knee or we don’t take the knee, that is not the question. I don’t think that needs to be the reason why people judge some of us to be in support of it or not. We all support it.
      “Some people want to do different things, but we are all in agreement that we want to take a stand and show support of what we’re trying to do against racism.
      “We will have a better structure and better plan in place for this weekend.
      “Yes, it was a bit of a mess in Hungary. We have to accept that. But it was not the drivers’ fault entirely.”

      ‘EVERYTHING I CAN’
      Norris said he will continue to take a knee but says drivers who do not should not be judged to be against the movement.
      He added: “I take a knee because I want to have the biggest impact I can on ending racism.
      “It is one of the few times in life when people like me can have an impact on the future. This is one of the biggest initiatives around the world to make a change. I want to do everything I can.”
      Norris has made a solid start to the season and is fourth in the drivers’ championship.

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      The McLaren star will see his current team-mate, Carlos Sainz, join Ferrari next season — not that Norris is green with envy as the Italian team struggles.
      He added: “There have been a few jokes. I’m not going to lie but I’m not rubbing it in. I know how karma works and how easily things can go the opposite way.
      “Ferrari seem to be in a difficult position at the moment with what they are trying to achieve.
      “It’d still mean a lot to us as a team to take the next step and beat a team that has been front-running for many years to show the progress we have made.”

      Lewis Hamilton blasts Formula 1 drivers after Hungarian Grand Prix win as anti-racism message continues to fall flat More

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      in Soccer

      James McClean slammed by ex-West Brom pal MacAuley for moaning about abuse as he says he’s disliked for his actions

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      GARETH McAULEY believes his former West Brom team-mate James McClean ‘doesn’t help himself’ after he stated he receives more abuse than any other footballer.
      The Stoke winger took to social media last week where he rightly supported the Black Lives Matter movement, but insisted authorities haven’t helped him when he’s been targeted online.

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      Stoke winger James McClean has spoken of the years of abuse he has receivedCredit: Rex Features
      McClean, 31, questioned whether one certain type of discrimination holds higher bearing than another, after Wilfried Zaha and David McGoldrick were the victims of vile racist messages.
      But McAuley has stated his actions from his career have led to fans disliking him.
      The ex-Sunderland man has endured years of abuse from fans in England due to his decision not to wear a poppy.
      This is because of his affinity to Derry and the role of the British Army during The Troubles. 

      Commenting on McClean’s comments on Twitter, McAuley wrote in his column for the Belfast Telegraph: “My old pal and West Brom team-mate James McClean had a point when he stated on social media last week that he is probably the most abused footballer in England.
      “I’ve played alongside James and heard the derogatory comments launched in his direction from the stands, never mind read the abuse dished out to him on the internet. It’s disconcerting.
      JAM IT IN
      “While Zaha is being targeted because of the colour of his skin, something he has absolutely no control over, James is not being singled out because he is Irish.
      “Thousands of Irish players over the years have been welcomed into the professional game in England.

      “It’s James’ actions, decisions and outbursts that have turned football fans, even from the clubs he plays for, against him.”
      He added: “It was not helped when he proudly dressed up on Instagram in a balaclava to home school his kids. Joke or not, it was seriously insensitive.
      “Then there was the time on a West Brom tour to the United States when James made sure he had his back turned to the Union Jack and subsequently the Stars and Stripes.
      “It was noted by proud Baggies fans and not forgotten. Yet another sign of disrespect. More

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      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton blasts F1 drivers after Hungarian Grand Prix win as anti-racism message continues to fall flat

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has blasted F1 and the Grand Prix Drivers Association after the sport’s anti-racism message continues to fall flat.
      In more chaotic scenes at the start of the Hungarian GP, some drivers took the knee, some didn’t.

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      Lewis Hamilton has slammed some F1 drivers for failing to support his anti-racism messageCredit: AFP or licensors

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      Lewis Hamilton won in Hungary but still left disappointedCredit: EPA
      Some had “end racism” T-shirts. Some were nowhere to be seen.
      Those who did, were positioned by F1’s staff with their backs to a screen showing someone singing the Hungarian National Anthem – a disrespectful move in itself.
      It looked ridiculous – for the third weekend running – as F1 again failed to put aside time in their pre-race schedule for the message.
      And Hamilton singled-out GPDA director, Romain Grosjean, for criticism, naming the Haas driver.

      The world champ, who won the race at a canter, said: “Well, he [Grosjean] doesn’t think it’s important to do it so…
      “He’s one of them that thinks it was done once and that’s all we need to do.
      “So I tried to speak to him about what the problem is and it’s not going away and we have to continue to fight for it.
      “I think this time he didn’t mention anything in the drivers’ briefing and neither did Sebastian [Vettel], and Sebastian and I messaged each other and he stressed as did I, the importance that we continue to do it.”

      ‘DO MORE’
      Hamilton continued: “Moving forward we need to speak to Formula One.
      “They’ve got to do a better job, it was such a rush, us getting out of the car, running over, quickly doing the knee.
      “They need to do more, I don’t know why they’ve only done it for the first race, they did the start, they’ve not done it since then.
      “They’ve come out saying they’re going to be fighting for diversity and end racism but they’re not giving us the platform to continue that as it’s not rushed.
      “I think they can give us more time, so I’ll probably send an email over the next couple of days, and try and co-ordinate with them.
      “They do want to do it. I guess there’s not good enough communication.”

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      Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas supported the causeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Hamilton later went on to say there is support for his message but it isn’t being taken seriously enough.
      He continued: “There is definitely not enough support for it.
      “From a drivers’ point of view, many seem to be of the opinion they have done it once and do not need to do it again.
      “I don’t know their reason for that opinion.
      “We are all members of the GPDA and that is run by three people and two for it and one who doesn’t think it is important to continue it.
      “F1 did an OK job at the first race but it is not good enough when you see other sports. It is like it has gone off the agenda after that.
      “It is lacking leadership. We are in a sport and there needs to be leadership from the top and currently there is none of that.
      “I try not to lean on the drivers because I don’t want them to think it is because of me they are doing it.
      “But I don’t think it has been taken seriously.
      “People have not grown up with it and because of that, it does not affect them, but we are fighting for a change.
      “I will get in touch with F1 this week and get in touch with [FIA President] Jean Todt, as no-one else is going to do it.
      “My dream is that by the end of the year we all know and understand things better and we stand united and the whole of Formula One is on top of it.
      “We have not made any progress. We have made gestures but we have not changed anything.
      “It is about communication, so I will get back on a call with F1.
      “I would love to know what Jean thinks and what [F1 CEO] Chase [Carey]  thinks.
      “But there is no progress yet. You need a leader, where is Jean in that scenario? It should not be me to call them out.
      “It should come from the top down. The higher powers that pulls the strings.”

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      Hamilton is understandably upset. F1 had made much of it’s Race As One campaign, but without universal support, the message is lost.
      At the Austrian GP, the season opener, there was an attempt at unity as all drivers wore the black T-shirts.
      But while Hamilton, who has used his social media to promote the Black Lives Matter movement so well, has continued to press home the point, the message does not appear to be supported by his fellow drivers on the grid.

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      He added: “With the other drivers, there’s not a lot I can do.
      “I gave a lot of energy in Austria to try and convince a couple of the drivers, and it’s a battle.
      “But I think what’s important is the ones that are doing it, the understanding, is fantastic; my dream is that one day the other drivers come around to it.
      “If we get to the last race and we’re all kneeling down and showing that we are united I think that would be beautiful.”

      Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart denies claims of diversity issue in F1 despite Lewis Hamilton’s protests More

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      in Soccer

      Football needs to remove barriers for BAME community and let talent rise to top

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      JUDGE a man by the content of his character, not by the colour of his skin.
      Following the awful murder of George Floyd in America, the Black Lives Matter movement increased the volume, putting racial equality firmly front and centre.

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      Chris Powell is one of few BAME coaches to be given a chance in English footballCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Sport isn’t above this discussion and neither should it be.
      Kick It Out and Diversity For Fans, two well-established football groups in pursuit of racial equality (who could well use more profile and better financing), could have been the ‘go to’ route for players in this country to show support.
      Instead, football gave in to players, incorporating BLM on the field of play.
      And the pitch should be a place of neutrality.

      Players now have too much power. The structure, regulations and messaging of the sport should be enforced by the authorities.
      It is one thing handing over all the financial benefits of football to the players, it is another entirely to cede control to them.
      Allowing one message opens the door to all, and given the BLM organisation itself has far more sinister motives than racial equality, we’ve seen distancing from the Premier League and Sky.
      Racial equality isn’t a bonus or privilege, it is a fundamental right — as is equal opportunity.

      It’s important to establish why racial inequality exists and then focus on the solution. But it needs facts over feelings.”

      Yet equal opportunity doesn’t necessarily mean equal outcome. Talent gives that.
      In football, statistically, there’s an under-representation from the BAME community in dugouts, boardrooms and coaching roles.
      The claim is that systemic racism and unconscious bias are to blame.
      Yet, surely, statistics are the beginning of a conversation, rather than the conclusion.
      It’s important to establish why racial inequality exists and then focus on the solution. But it needs facts over feelings.
      Twenty-five professional clubs in England have employed black managers, albeit often the same ones like, Chris Powell, Paul Ince and Keith Curle.

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      Premier League players have taken a knee before every game as a show of solidarity against racial injusticeCredit: PA:Press Association
      This suggests the game isn’t institutionally racist but perhaps that the supply channel of candidates from the community isn’t big enough.
      So, why is that?
      Perceived stigma perhaps plays a part.
      The belief that ‘if you are black, it’s not worth applying’ must not be advanced, nor should the fact others have failed be a deterrent.
      During my ownership of Crystal Palace, a club steeped in multi-ethnicity, I never received an application for the manager’s vacancy from the BAME community — and I had eight managers in ten years.
      I’ve often asked and really never been given answers on the percentage of qualified coaches from the BAME community to measure the disparity.

      Football must evolve, with best practice, and look for best in class.
      Perhaps a successful model to look to is the PFA, with Brendan Batson, Clarke Carlisle, current deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes and Jason Lee all holding senior positions.
      Football owes it to itself to dispel all myths, remove all perceived and real barriers and allow talent to go where it wants — at all levels.
      A failure to do that is in nobody’s best interest.

      Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson speaks about ‘cowardly and despicable’ racial abuse levelled at Wilfried Zaha before Aston Villa match More

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      in Soccer

      James McClean blasts authorities claiming he receives ‘more abuse than any player’ in wake of Zaha and McGoldrick racism

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      JAMES MCCLEAN has revealed his frustration over the lack of support he has received from football’s players, authorities and media in the wake of racist messages sent to Wilfried Zaha and David McGoldrick.
      The 31-year-old Republic of Ireland winger has refused to wear the poppy throughout his near-decade stint playing in England for the likes of Sunderland, Wigan, West Brom and Stoke. 

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      James McClean has hit out at the lack of support he has received for the abuse he gets in the wake of racist messages sent to Wilfried Zaha and David McGoldrickCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      That decision is down to his affinity to Derry and the role of the British Army during The Troubles. 
      McClean has publicly declared he would wear the poppy if it was just to honour those who lost their lives in the World Wars as well as insisting his stance is not political and rather one of peace.
      Despite that, he is regularly booed by opposition fans and has faced death threats and a torrent of abuse.
      Now he says he has a “sour taste” over the treatment of fellow footballers who have been on the receiving end of racist messages after authorities, media and supporters rallied round Zaha and McGoldrick after they were the victims of vile messages this weekend.

      A 12-year-old boy has been arrested in the West Midlands in connection with the racist abuse aimed at Crystal Palace’s Zaha.

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      The star also hit out at his Republic of Ireland team-mates for their lack of supportCredit: Sportsfile
      McClean says the “horrendous” abuse was correctly condemned but went on to discuss the public response to the abuse he regularly receives.
      He wrote on social media: “Driving back from training today while listening to talkSport discussing the vile racist comments this weekend made towards Zaha and McGoldrick on social media, listening to their reaction of disgust at it – and rightly so for that matter because it is horrendous and nobody should be subjected to that and people need to be held responsible for their words and actions.
      “What leaves a sour taste tho [sic] in my mouth, and not only this but with everything else of late, I have received more abuse than [any] other player during my 9 years in England wether [sic] that be, death threats, bullets sent in the post, birthday cards, letters etc! This is not a cry for sympathy but one to ask the question what is the difference?

      “12-year-old boys get arrested for posting racial abuse online to Zaha, again rightly so, has anyone ever been held accountable for mine? No!
      “Have I ever had any abuse condemned by the media? (Sky Sports, talkSport, newspapers) No! In fact quite the opposite, the slightest thing that I do that might cause offence to any one is highlighted by them.”
      McClean did not stop there as he then switched his attention to his international team-mates and their lack of support for him.
      He said: “I have seen some of my fellow Irish team mates post a black square in support of anti racism as well as post condemning the discrimination and AGAIN rightly so! 
      “Have I ever seen any of them ever post a public condemnation of the discrimination I get which funnily enough is a discrimination against them also? That would be a no!
      “Does one kind of discrimination hold a higher bearing over another act of discrimination?
      “I would say am confused but that’s the wrong word because confused means not fully understanding something, in this case it’s quite clear!
      “If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.”

      Since the season’s restart Premier League clubs and players have been supporting Black Lives Matter.
      Patches have been added on the sleeves of kit while players bore the slogan ‘Black Lives Matter’ on the back of their shirts in the first game back.
      Top-flight stars take the knee at kick-off, a gesture to support anti-racism after George Floyd was murdered by a cop in Minneapolis, Minnesota, when kneeling on his neck.
      However, in recent weeks some players have stopped kneeling and clubs have withdrawn their support of the Black Lives Matter group – though they still support the message of equality and anti-racism.

      Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson speaks about ‘cowardly and despicable’ racial abuse levelled at Wilfried Zaha before Aston Villa match More