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      in Boxing

      ‘Deserved the embarrassment’ – Chris Eubank Jr refuses to apologise for Conor Benn egg slap in blistering verbal assault

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      CHRIS EUBANK JR refused to apologise for smashing an egg on bitter rival Conor Benn’s face, insisting: “He deserved the embarrassment.”Eubank faces a British Boxing Board of Control rap for Tuesday’s eggsplosive bust-up ahead of their April 26 showdown.Chris Eubank Jr refused to apologise for smashing an egg on Conor Benn’s faceCredit: PAEubank and Benn are set to finally face off on April 26Credit: GettyBut the Brighton boxer, 35, launched a blistering verbal assault on Benn — and promoter Eddie Hearn — over the fighter’s two failed drug tests in 2022, which he blamed on eating contaminated eggs.Eubank, who was scanned with an EGG DETECTOR by security guards at Tottenham’s stadium, blasted: “If I had the opportunity I’d do it again.“Me throwing an egg at someone — who absurdly claims that’s why he failed two drug tests — that’s light, he deserved the embarrassment.”The UK’s National Anti-Doping Panel and WBC chiefs cleared Benn, 28, of any wrongdoing for traces of testosterone-booster clomifene which were found in samples.Read More on BoxingEubank, who called the Essex fighter “a dirty little omelette” said: “Did I cross a line? Over the last 2½ years many lines have been crossed.“I’m sitting here with two of the scummiest characters in boxing — a drug cheat and a man who did everything in his power to help him get away with it. “I’ve always respected every fighter I’ve fought, bar one.“Respect is reserved for fighters who are true, who don’t cheat. There is no respect here.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“Unfortunately, I came unarmed today. I’ve been thoroughly searched multiple times. I couldn’t sneak anything in.“This is going to be a real fight, this is going to be a bloodbath.”Tense moment Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn are kept apart by security in lift at explosive press conferenceDuring Tuesday’s aggro in Manchester, Benn’s famous dad, former two-weight world champ Nigel, grabbed Eubank Jr by the throat as security desperately tried to separate the warring camps.And Eubank warned Benn Sr: “You put your hand on my neck but I will give you a pass. But if it ever touches me again, you won’t get it back.”That sparked an immediate response from Benn Jr, who sniped: “Shut your f***ing mouth. Threaten my dad again and see what happens to you.” Benn Sr said: “I thought you glassed him, that’s why I put my arms around your neck. I apologise for doing that but you put your hands on my son.” Hearn and broadcaster DAZN were in control of the original October 2022 fight that was axed after Benn’s failed tests. But Eubank has now promised £50,000 to the boxers on that original undercard who lost money because their bouts were cancelled. On Hearn, Eubank said: “This worm tried to include in my contract that I wasn’t allowed to say anything negative about the promoters. READ MORE SUN STORIES“Twenty thousand people spent thousands of pounds on tickets, flights and hotels and none of them were recompensed. “All the fighters spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on camps. I hope Eddie and Conor both put up their £50,000. All your other fighters are scared to say anything about Eddie but I don’t give a s***.” More

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      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton admits Italian racists made him think twice about joining Ferrari after suffering sickening abuse in past

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      LEWIS HAMILTON admits Italian racists made him think twice about moving from Mercedes to Ferrari.Italian football has been plagued with racism problems, with ex-Chelsea star Romelu Lukaku suffering sick monkey taunts while playing for Inter Milan and Roma.Lewis Hamilton has admitted he thought twice about joining FerrariCredit: AlamyThe 40-year-old has expressed concerns over Ferrari’s lack of diversityCredit: AFPAnd Hamilton, F1’s only black driver, confessed: “It definitely crossed my mind when I was thinking about my decision.”It’s often such a small group of people that set that trend for many. “I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”Hamilton, 40, was racially abused during his days in karting and also targeted by Spanish bigots in 2008.READ MORE ON F1But now he has been fired up by F1 pundits attacking his name, like former team owner Eddie Jordan, who branded Ferrari’s decision to axe 30-year-old Carlos Sainz for the Brit as “suicidal”.Hamilton told Time Magazine: “I never reply to any of the older, ultimately white men who have commented on my career and what they think I should be doing.”How you show up, how you present yourself, how you perform slowly dispels that.”But Hamilton has expressed concerns over Ferrari’s lack of diversity.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIn 2020, he started the Hamilton Commission to increase black representation in UK motorsport.Mercedes launched their own diversity initiative and began hiring staff from under-represented groups.Lewis Hamilton and Charles LeClerc arrive on red carpet at F1 02 car launch in styleBut Hamilton said: “Now I’m going back to the beginning of my time with Mercedes, where it wasn’t diverse.”Ferrari, along with every other F1 team,  signed a Diversity and Inclusion charter in November.Yet boss Fred Vasseur said: “It’s not politically correct but first is performance. “I’m keen to go into the  direction of diversity and so on but I want to build up the best team.” More

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      in Soccer

      Major upgrade to VAR coming TONIGHT with Semi-Automated Offside Technology installed at Premier League clubs

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      VILLA PARK will tonight see the launch of English football’s VAR upgrade.Premier League chiefs plan to roll out the use of Semi-Automated Offside Technology across the remainder of the season.Villa Park will see the launch of English football’s VAR upgradeCredit: The FAThe new VAR system uses up to 30 specialist high-speed cameras to track 10,000 data points on every playerCredit: The FABut the new system, which uses up to 30 specialist high-speed cameras to track 10,000 data points on every player, will be debuted across all but one of this weekend’s eight FA Cup fifth-round ties.And it starts with Aston Villa’s clash with Cardiff.Unlike the top-flight’s current VAR system, where operators manually determine the ‘kick point’ for offside calls and then draw lines, SAOT will do both automatically.It is expected the system, devised by the Prem’s new tech partner, US-based Genesis Sport, will reduce even tight decision times to an average of 30 seconds.Read More on FootballThe Genesis system will then send a 3D visual replay to broadcasters and the giant screens in stadiums, to ensure fans know why the call was made.A white vertical wall will represent the offside line, with a blue ‘pulse’ on the defender’s relevant body part.And when an attacker is offside, the offending part of their body will appear through the white wall and be outlined in red.The final image in the virtual replay will be on an angle, off-centre.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThat is to provide a clear view of the attacker and defender involved in the offside review.SAOT will only be installed at Prem grounds.Everton boss David Moyes gives his reaction to disallowed penalty against Man Utd That means the tie between Preston and Burnley will only use the current VAR systemVilla and Cardiff’s FA Cup clash kicks off at 8pm. More

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      in Soccer

      West Ham 2 Leicester 0: Foxes 5 points off escaping relegation zone as birthday-boy Soucek helps down hopeless visitors

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      LEICESTER gifted Tomas Soucek a birthday to remember as the Foxes fell to a fifth straight loss.The Czech turned 30 and scored in his big day for the second time in his West Ham career.West Ham added to Leicester’s relegation woes at the London StadiumCredit: RexWest Ham added distance between them and the Premier League relegation zoneCredit: ReutersTomas Soucek opened the scoring for West HamCredit: RexLeicester ace Jannik Vestergaard scored an own goalCredit: AFPSoucek will have enjoyed few birthdays as simple as this, given just how poor Leicester were.Some diabolical defending allowed the Hammers midfielder to open the scoring before the hapless Jannick Vestergaard turned the second into his own net.Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side sit five points from safety – but the gap feels a whole lot bigger than that when watching them.It was a much needed home win for Graham Potter.Read More on FootballThe new West Ham manager will have won plenty of credit with their superb victory at Arsenal.But winning over the fickle London Stadium will be vital if he is to succeed here.Keeping the ownership and fans happy is important at all clubs.But when the bosses at West Ham create more noise than most and the stadium can go deathly quiet at times, it is a significant task.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMore nights like this will be a big help.West Ham hardly rolled out the free-flowing football in the first half – but they did not need to.Graham Potter makes five-word comment the moment he entered press conference after West Ham clashA soft attempt from Wilfried Ndidi aside, the Foxes offered nothing up top but everything at the back.The Hammers twice benefited from some ropey defending to take a rare first-half lead at the London Stadium.First Soucek bagged from close range, pouncing after Mohammed Kudus’ effort from Aaron Cresswell’s cross had been palmed into the path of the midfielder.Leicester had already had a number of chances to clear before Cresswell’s ball, which accident addict Vestergaard let slip by him.Potter’s men should have gone for the jugular there and then, but were a touch too passive to quickly run away with it.Though facing Leicester can feel like pushing against an open door at times, and it proved the case before the break.Dodgy defence leads to Hammers’ secondAnother display of dodgy defensive work set up West Ham’s second.Jamie Vardy managed to just win the ball at the near post from a corner, but allowed Jarrod Bowen to pinch it away unchallenged.The Hammers captain was given time to turn and shoot, with his effort striking Vestergaard and finding the back of the net.It may be somewhat of a relief for the Foxes that there is a team as woeful as Southampton in the league this season – taking some of the focus away from just how much of a shambles this bunch are.Almost scored a thirdTheir travelling fans indulged in plenty of gallows humour – many of them must already be looking forward to August and the warm embrace of the Championship.Potter’s night looked to be ending in perfect fashion when Bowen played through January signing Evan Ferguson – on as a sub.The Irishman is still waiting for his first goal since moving from Brighton, but dithered on the ball and allowed his soft shot to be blocked by Wout Faes.West Ham should have made this win more convincing, something to really boost their confidence.READ MORE SUN STORIESInstead they sat tight and allowed Leicester to swing in some harmless crosses.But Potter will know that you cannot have everything at once – and will be pleased enough to see the Hammers heading in the right direction, winning back-to-back games for the first time in nearly a year. More

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      in Boxing

      British Olympic gold medal-winning boxer poses with Nigel Farage as he’s revealed as Reform’s Mayoral candidate for Hull

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      FORMER boxer Luke Campbell has announced he is making a move into politics. The 37-year-old Olympic hero will run as Reform’s Mayoral candidate in his home town of Hull.Boxer Luke Campbell (right) has announced he is going into the world of politicsCredit: Richard Pelham – The SunCampbell was unveiled as Reform’s Mayoral candidate for Hull on ThursdayCredit: ReutersThe former boxer appeared alongside Reform boss Nigel Farage at an event in the cityCredit: GettyBantamweight Campbell won Olympic gold for Team GB at London 2012.He turned pro in July 2013, going on to win 20 of his 24 fights, with 16 by KO. Reform boss Nigel Farage declared Campbell was a “knockout candidate” as the pair posed for photos before his unveiling. Campbell was presented to Reform supporters at Hull’s Connexin Live Arena on Thursday. READ MORE ON BOXINGThe ex-boxer said: “The mayoral role for me isn’t about playing politics.”It’s about the people of Hull. We can either sit down or stand up. “We can stand up for our families, we can stand up for our communities and we can stand up for our future.”Campbell will go up against Conservative Anne Handley, Kerry Harrison for the Greens, Labour’s Margaret Pinder, Mike Ross for the Lib Dems and Yorkshire Party’s Rowan Halstead. Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIn a video released alongside his candidacy, Campbell declared it had been an “honour” to represent his country. He added: “One of the proudest moments in my life was coming home after the Olympics.London 2012 Olympic champion Luke Campbell has announced his retirement from boxing “Seeing all the people that turned out for me. “It was the first time the country came together as one…I will fight for the people of this city.”The 37-year-old hung up his gloves in 2021 following defeat to Ryan Garcia in Dallas, Texas. Campbell had been grappling for the vacant WBC interim lightweight title, almost two years after going down to Vasiliy Lomachenko in a world title fight at The O2 Arena. Campbell rose to fame alongside fellow London 2012 gold medallist Antony Joshua (left)Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdBut he was stopped by King Ry in the seventh, despite a valiant effort Stateside. Announcing his retirement, Campbell wrote on X: “Every fight, right the way from my debut on 13th June 2013, up to my last on 2nd January 2021, the cheers and messages of encouragement have always been monumental. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Throughout my career I’ve tried to test myself against the very best in the industry and never shied away from anyone. “I’m so grateful this hasn’t gone unnoticed from supporters and I appreciate you all.” More

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      in Soccer

      ‘Can’t get a striker from grocery store’ – Boehly defends transfer strategy to angry Chelsea fans after £1.2bn spend

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      CHELSEA co-owner Todd Boehly has opened up about the club’s controversial transfer strategy – after spending over £1.2billion since 2022. The American businessman, 51, was targeted by fan protests ahead of the Blues’ 4-0 win over Southampton earlier this week. Todd Boehly has defended Chelsea’s transfer policy since he took over in 2022Credit: AlamyThe Blues have spent over £1billion on players in under three yearsCredit: GettyStars including Cole Palmer have been signed to deals over eight yearsCredit: GettyBoehly came out in defence of his leadership during an appearance at the FT Business of Football Summit on Thursday. The LA Dodgers owner directly addressed the protests, claiming: “Criticism is just par for the course.”The sooner you learn you won’t keep all the people happy all the time that brings freedom.”Boehly’s reign has seen immense spending, with £1.2bn spent on over 40 players. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLChelsea have also dished out contracts of up to TEN years to numerous stars, including Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.But they have still found themselves left without an out-and-out striker in recent weeks after injuries to Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu.Defending the strategy, Boehly insisted: “Strikers are hard to find. You can’t get one from the grocery store.”It’s an amazing skillset and you have to have a fantastic mentality.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”The most misunderstood thing is that we’re thinking about it measured in years, not months. “You have to think both short and long-term. We’re focused on a combination of both and seeking the best possible way to execute that. It’s a balancing act to figure that out.Enzo Maresca urges Chelsea fans to show trust after BlueCo protest “You have to have a plan and exercise it, accept that things are not linear and that the thing that matters is that the trend is in the right direction.”Boehly admits his first foray into English football has come with a “learning curve”.Chelsea have finished 12th and 6th in the Premier League over the past two seasons, failing to lift a trophy. They looked set to mount a title challenge before Christmas, only for their form to fall off in the past two months.Strikers are hard to find. You can’t get one from the grocery store.Todd BoehlyHe continued: “We’ve been here for less than three years and that’s been a whirling dervish of activity. Nothing is a straight line, ever and sport is so humbling.”If you look at contracts in football, a seven-year contract is really a five-year contract.”The reality that 95 per cent of the time by then you have to make a decision or you’ll shoot yourself in the foot.”At that point, you either agree an extension with the player or that greener pastures are out there for both sides.Chelsea ratings vs Southampton as Cole Palmer STILL can’t score or assist… and gets a horror grade”If you deny that you are kidding yourself.”We felt the longer contracts meant we could amortise but it was also about how we put together a team with the ability to stay together.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Teams that are dynasties over the years had superstar captains that were able to lead. But how do you find those superstar captains?”And in football, the market is obviously across multiple countries – so you’re thinking France, Germany, Brazil, Latin America – basically everywhere around the world.” More

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      in Soccer

      ‘Criticism is par for the course’ – Todd Boehly breaks silence with defiant statement after Chelsea fans’ protest

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      CHELSEA owner Todd Boehly vowed he cannot afford to be waylaid by fan protests at Stamford Bridge.Blues boss Boehly was in the firing line along with boss Enzo Maresca in a public show of supporter unrest before Tuesday’s win over Southampton.Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has spoken out following protestsCredit: PAFans railed against the Americans’ ownership ahead of a win over SouthamptonCredit: EPABut American Boehly, who will celebrate three years in charge at SW6 in the summer, launched a strong defence of his reign as he insisted he still believes he can oversee a Chelsea “dynasty” of success.And if that means ignoring the complaint of the fans, then that is what he will have to do.Boehly said: “The fans are the lifeblood of any sports team. “You realise how important the team is to them and how important the fans are to the team. It’s hugely important. READ MORE ON CHELSEA”But the fact is that people say different things, change their minds all the time.”The criticism is just par for the course. The sooner you learn you won’t keep all the people happy all the time that brings freedom.”So you don’t have to live with their words. You can’t turn left and then right every three minutes, which is some of the advice we get, if you boil it down.”Boehly, speaking at the FT Business of Football Summit, has come under pressure for the state of Maresca’s squad, with fans bemoaning the lack of a genuine striking option in the absence of injured Nicolas Jackson.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut the US businessman, who also owns the World Series champions LA Dodgers baseball side in California, dismissed those frustrations with a withering put-down – as he publicly explained the club’s controversial transfer strategy.Chelsea’s decision to offer new signings contracts of up to eight years saw Uefa and Prem chiefs forced to draw up new rules to ensure transfer deals for signings can now only be “amortised” over five years for FFP purposes.Inside Chelsea’s new £1.6BILLION stadium plans with Stamford Bridge project set to rival Tottenham’sUkrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk’s potential £88m arrival on an eight and a half year deal looked a mistake even before he was left facing a lengthy drugs ban.While eyebrows were raised over the contracts for Wesley Fofana, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and others.He insisted: “Strikers are hard to find. You can’t get one from the grocery store. “It’s an amazing skillset and you have to have a fantastic mentality.The criticism is just par for the course. The sooner you learn you won’t keep all the people happy all the time that brings freedom.Todd Boehly”The most misunderstood thing is that we’re thinking about it measured in years, not months. “You have to think both short and long-term. We’re focused on a combination of both and seeking the best possible way to execute that. It’s a balancing act to figure that out.”You have to have a plan and exercise it, accept that things are not linear and that the thing that matters is that the trend is in the right direction.”Yes, it’s been a steep learning curve. We’ve been here for less than three years and that’s been a whirling dervish of activity. Nothing is a straight line, ever and sport is so humbling.Chelsea ratings vs Southampton as Cole Palmer STILL can’t score or assist… and gets a horror grade”If you look at contracts in football, a seven year contract is really a five-year contract. “The reality that 95 per cent of the time by then you have to make a decision or you’ll shoot yourself in the foot”At that point, you either agree an extension with the player or that greener pastures are out there for both sides.”If you deny that you are kidding yourself.”We felt the longer contracts meant we could amortoise but it was also about how we put together a team with the ability to stay together.”Teams that are dynasties over the years had superstar captains that were able to lead. But how do you find those superstar captains?”And in football, the market is obviously across multiple countries – so you’re thinking France, Germany, Brazil, Latin America – basically everywhere around the world.”Strikers are hard to find. You can’t get one from the grocery store.Todd BoehlyBoehly declined to expand on his strained relationship with co-owner Behdad Eghbali other than saying: “We’ve agreed on a strategy and the way forward and stuff’s getting done.”That includes, longer term, “building a self-sustaining, very competitive club, figuring how to increase revenues” – in other words a likely new home away from the Bridge.But while he admits he is still coming to terms with a very different sports world from the one he grew up with in the US, Boehly suggested Prem club chiefs will have to be prepared to sacrifice some of their sacred cows to really monetise their product.Sky have been the Prem’s main broadcaster since its inception more than 30 years ago, with a new four-year deal – alongside a smaller one for TNT Sports – beginning next season.But Boehly claims the idea of selling TV broadcast rights territory by territory is out of date – and that Prem bosses should be looking for one mega-money global deal with a streaming giant like Netflix, Amazon Prime or Apple.He said: “The Premier League is one of the few truly global properties. “It has unbelievable content with more people engaged than anyone else in the world.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I’m not saying that bundling all the rights to package them globally is the direct answer at this minute but that’s where we are headed. “The owners have to be willing to take that risk.” More

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      in Soccer

      Jose Mourinho hit with FOUR-MATCH ban amid racism row as Fenerbahce slapped with huge punishment after Galatasaray chaos

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      JOSE MOURINHO has been hit with a four-match ban amid his racism row with Galatasaray.The Fenerbahce boss was accused by his Turkish rivals of making “racist statements” after Monday’s Istanbul derby, which ended 0-0.Jose Mourinho has been banned for four matches in TurkeyCredit: RexOkan Buruk’s Galatasaray had accused Mourinho of making ‘racist statements’Credit: RexFormer Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss Mourinho claimed after the stalemate that Galatasaray had tried to get one of his team booked early on.He told a press conference that “everyone on the opposing bench was jumping around like monkeys.”Galatasaray immediately hit back and accused the Portuguese manager, 62, of “regularly using derogatory words towards the Turkish people” since moving to Istanbul.Fenerbahce responded by accusing Galatasaray of “pathetic slander.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, the Turkish Football Federation have now announced that the Special One will serve a lengthy suspension as a result of his actions after the game.A statement said that Mourinho’s post-match press conference comments about Galatasaray “contained expressions that could encourage violence and disorder in sport, were divisive and separatist in society, and could cause fan incidents.”Slovenian Slavko Vincic was drafted in especially to referee the fiery derby clash, after Mourinho accused Turkish officials of giving favourable decisions to Galatasaray.Mourinho was criticised for going into the referees’ dressing room after the game – and openly criticising the quality of Turkish refereeing.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThat led to a second charge for directing “derogatory and offensive statements towards the Turkish fourth official” at full-time.The statement also claimed he made “insulting and offensive statements towards both the Turkish football community and all Turkish referees.”Jose Mourinho ruins Mauro Icardi with sarcastic comments and fans love it Mourinho received a two-game ban for each of the charges, as well as a total fine of £35,000.He will miss the next four league games against Antalyaspor, Samsunspor, Bodrum and Trabzonspor.But Mourinho will be in the dugout for Fenerbahce’s Europa League last-16 ties against Rangers next month.The Portuguese boss took charge of his Turkish club in June and they currently sit second in the Super Lig, six points off champions Galatasaray.In the aftermath of their racism accusation, Mourinho was defended by several former players including Didier Drogba.The Chelsea legend spent two years at Galatasaray from 2012 to 2014 and is considered a cult icon by their fans.But Drogba backed his former Blues boss in the row, saying: “Dear@GalatasaraySK. You know how proud I was to wear the yellow and red jersey and my love for the most decorated club in Turkey!!”We all know how passionate and heated rivalries can be, and I’ve been lucky enough to experience it.”I’ve seen the recent comments about Jose Mourinho. Trust me when I tell you I have known Jose for xx years and he is not a racist and history (past and recent ) is there to prove it.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Let’s focus on our games, support our brilliant lions and let’s win the league to get close to our 5.”How can my “Dad” be a racist? Come on guys.” More