Racism In Football (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter madlawyer1
- Start date
OP
I also have no idea who said it, but it's very true. All thru history, you see all kinds of rubbish. and Africans have to take the brunt of it. for instance, it is claimed that a certain European named Mungo Park 'discovered' the source of the River Niger. The history books also conveniently forget to mention the Africans who rowed his canoe to the spot and said to him: "See what you're looking for."
OP
Moreso, Europeans claimed they were taking God to the godless, and coming to civilise some savages. It is now accepted that these were a mere cover for imperialistic, expansionist wars, and an excuse for the European powers to commit genocide against a people with inferior weapons. (a la George W. Bush.)
The Europeans invaded soveriegn African kingdoms in blatant acts of war that would be roundly condemned today. Indeed, these same countries today still engage in 'sabre rattling' in order to terrify their former colonies into keeping in line.
The Europeans invaded soveriegn African kingdoms in blatant acts of war that would be roundly condemned today. Indeed, these same countries today still engage in 'sabre rattling' in order to terrify their former colonies into keeping in line.
OP
Brazil Hits Out At Racism? The Leandro Desábato Scandal
4/17/2005 12:04:00 PM
Quilmes defender Leandro Desábato was slung in jail for racist slurs against São Paulo striker Grafite as the Brazilian president was apologising for Brazil’s role in the slave trade to the people of Senegal. Goal.com’s Aaron Marcus explains the recent incident in light of growing concerns to stamp out any glowing embers of racial hatred in Brazil...
Morumbi is enjoying a tense Libertadores fixture, visitors Quilmes giving the Tricolor a run for their money in what would turn out to be a slender win for the Brazilians. A scuffle suddenly breaks out as centre-forward tank Grafite lashes out with a palm that sends an opposing defender into the depressingly common pantomime of faked fatal injury. At first glance nothing more than a run-of-the-mill clash of riled-up opponents. Apparently mere reflections of the old provocation-reaction knee jerk reaction. The home striker is sent for an early bath, fielding the obvious questions from jabbing microphones; why? “He called me a nigger”.
The 34th. district police station in São Paulo registered a complaint from an Edinaldo Bastista Libânio, I.D. 30.025.535-4 – a.k.a. Grafite – stating that he was subjected to a barrage of racial abuse; more concretely; “Hijo de puta! Negro de Mierda!” (“Son of a *****! Shitty nigger!”). Grafite explained that he felt “Humiliated and discriminated by the insult, being a proud black citizen” and stressed his wish to see “Mr. Leandro Desábato sued to the full extent of the law owing to the distress caused not only to me but to the whole black race”. This opens the doors to prosecution under the 2003 Brazilian slander law.
Law 10.741 specifically adds racial slurs to the list of slander liable for prosecution under Brazilian legislation. Originally designed to cover employment discrimination, the law was modified to usher in verbal slurs with a jail sentence of up to five years, depending on interpretation. This differs from Argentina as the southern neighbours’ Law 23.592 only admits prosecution in cases of physical assault or open libel - defender Leandro Desábato’s alleged mouth-off being between two parties only. Speaking of parties, how did the Argentineans react to the charges?
Quilmes’s coach, Gustavo Alfaro, took the solidarity route – prolonging the teams’ stay in São Paulo until the offensive defender could leave with them. Although the squad was under strict instructions not to talk to journalists, they haunted the hotel lobby and pool exchanging loud negative comments about SPFC, São Paulo, Brazilian police and the country in general. Their president, Daniel Razzeto, went even further by claiming that the whole episode was a set-up; “we saw them [SPFC officials and São Paulo Police officers] hugging and eating pizza” he ranted to Argentinean paper Clarín. The musketeer all-for-oneness focus shifted to the team with the ‘Mosqueteiro’ mascot; an apparently uninvolved Timão.
Corinthians became a hive of activity as swarms of reporters descended on the Parque São Jorge to elicit opinions from the most Argentinean of Brazilian teams. Daniel Passarella was shocked by the treatment of the wayward defender; “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw him paraded out in handcuffs...The whole thing has made a mountain out of a molehill...Europe is in a much worse state than South America: just look at the mess in Milan and the flare thrown at Dida”. He went on to justify the nickname ‘macaquitos’ (little monkeys) saying it forms part of local culture, setting fire to the reasonable argument he had just constructed.
Timão defender Sebá was irritated at the media spotlight, but pointed out that in Argentina ‘negro’ is an affectionate nickname, including for white players with dark olive skin. Fair enough, but in the heat of a crucial match and accompanied by S.O.B. and the adjective ‘shitty’, maybe not so affectionate. Carlitos Tevez, true to form, avoided any comment on the subject but his silence was fairly eloquent given the close bond of friendship that he and Betão have formed – the two are thick as thieves despite differences in nationality and skin tone.
It didn’t take long for the scandal to spill over Brazil’s borders, the owner of the sweetest foot and widest mouth in Argentinean football airing his views; “The pitch has always been a place for that sort of bullshit...it doesn’t mean a thing” and causing an immediate snarl from São Paulo coach Emerson Leão “Maradona’s not right in the head...we all know why” he lashed out referring to Maradona’s long-term relationship with white powder rather than white power.
CONMEBOL president Nicolás Leoz took a harder line on the issue “We must stand firm against any growth of racism in Latin American football”. He also announced that Leandro Desábato was now banned from competing in any Libertadores matches this year if video tape and microphone evidence proves that he did make a racist comment. The executive committee will be meeting to take an official stand on the issue on the 28th. of April, when CBF president Ricardo Teixeira and his Argentinean opposite number Julio Grondona will take part.
What remains to be seen is Brazilian state president Lula’s opinion of the scandal, although his track record on racism is unflaggingly hard-line. At the same time that the scandal broke he was on an official visit to Senegal, being shown around the shameful relic of preserved coastal huts that had been used to hold slaves prior to their exile to Brazil and other South American colonies. He offered teary apologies on behalf of the Brazilian people for taking part in the slave trade and his hopes for a future that links Brazil and Africa more closely together. In response the Senegalese president embraced him, saying that Lula was an honorary black man. Added to the fact that Lula is a die-hard Corinthians fan the desire of the president to grasp the hot potato could be far-reaching and decisive.
Nevertheless little hard evidence has been unearthed, images not allowing for any tell-tale lip-reading of slurs. Arriving back in Buenos Aires the Argentineans were sticking firmly to their side of the story; it was all a set-up. “The stadium was plastered with anti-racism banners and the players were wearing wristbands with the same message written on them” Quilmes goalkeeper Marcelo Pontiroli, told the Argentinean sports paper Olé. There is a groundswell of opinion supporting the players’ claims of being used as a scapegoat in Brazil’s desire to show FIFA that they’re taking racism seriously and buff up their candidacy for a second world cup. For the majority of those taking part in Clarín’s on-line survey (62%) Leandro Desábato’s jail time was justified IF he actually uttered the nasty words.
Desábato’s feelings on the subject were recorded as he arrived crying at the same 34th. district police station where Grafite had pressed charges. In his declaration he professed great admiration for the São Paulo number 9; “We even swapped shirts after the March game in Argentina”. He went on to give his slant in which he’d told Grafite to “Stuff a banana up his arse” in response to Grafite’s insults questioning the legal status of his birth and mother’s profession. Questioned as to whether he had called Grafite either ‘Son of a *****’ or Shitty nigger’ he insisted on never using the first phrase and not remembering if he used the second, although ending with the statement “I am not a racist”
Until some degree of certainty of the facts gels, resolution of the situation is hamstrung by the old my-word-against-your-word deadlock that paralyses action and demands a fine-combing of audiovisual sources to uncover the truth. With no Zapruder footage looking likely to be brought forward, objectivity may well slide into a mud-slinging fall-out between two dissimilar brothers, each attempting to prove everything is black and white in their favour. Racism’s cousin xenophobia will undoubtedly lend a helping hand to stir things up with any embryonic battle against racism coming out of the process tainted: the only winners would be that niggling minority of pathetic racists.
The Brazilians claim racist provocation from southern, generally light-skinned neighbours who are racially prejudiced. The Argentineans claim that Brazil made a mountain out of a molehill and used it to kill two birds with one stone: settle old scores with Argentina and raise their profile as a bastion of safety and justice in the eyes of FIFA. If the former are proved right then expect a crusade against racism as CONMEBOL weighs in to stamp out any potential epidemic. If the latter are right expect old wounds between Argentina and Brazil to open and start to fester.
4/17/2005 12:04:00 PM
Quilmes defender Leandro Desábato was slung in jail for racist slurs against São Paulo striker Grafite as the Brazilian president was apologising for Brazil’s role in the slave trade to the people of Senegal. Goal.com’s Aaron Marcus explains the recent incident in light of growing concerns to stamp out any glowing embers of racial hatred in Brazil...
Morumbi is enjoying a tense Libertadores fixture, visitors Quilmes giving the Tricolor a run for their money in what would turn out to be a slender win for the Brazilians. A scuffle suddenly breaks out as centre-forward tank Grafite lashes out with a palm that sends an opposing defender into the depressingly common pantomime of faked fatal injury. At first glance nothing more than a run-of-the-mill clash of riled-up opponents. Apparently mere reflections of the old provocation-reaction knee jerk reaction. The home striker is sent for an early bath, fielding the obvious questions from jabbing microphones; why? “He called me a nigger”.
The 34th. district police station in São Paulo registered a complaint from an Edinaldo Bastista Libânio, I.D. 30.025.535-4 – a.k.a. Grafite – stating that he was subjected to a barrage of racial abuse; more concretely; “Hijo de puta! Negro de Mierda!” (“Son of a *****! Shitty nigger!”). Grafite explained that he felt “Humiliated and discriminated by the insult, being a proud black citizen” and stressed his wish to see “Mr. Leandro Desábato sued to the full extent of the law owing to the distress caused not only to me but to the whole black race”. This opens the doors to prosecution under the 2003 Brazilian slander law.
Law 10.741 specifically adds racial slurs to the list of slander liable for prosecution under Brazilian legislation. Originally designed to cover employment discrimination, the law was modified to usher in verbal slurs with a jail sentence of up to five years, depending on interpretation. This differs from Argentina as the southern neighbours’ Law 23.592 only admits prosecution in cases of physical assault or open libel - defender Leandro Desábato’s alleged mouth-off being between two parties only. Speaking of parties, how did the Argentineans react to the charges?
Quilmes’s coach, Gustavo Alfaro, took the solidarity route – prolonging the teams’ stay in São Paulo until the offensive defender could leave with them. Although the squad was under strict instructions not to talk to journalists, they haunted the hotel lobby and pool exchanging loud negative comments about SPFC, São Paulo, Brazilian police and the country in general. Their president, Daniel Razzeto, went even further by claiming that the whole episode was a set-up; “we saw them [SPFC officials and São Paulo Police officers] hugging and eating pizza” he ranted to Argentinean paper Clarín. The musketeer all-for-oneness focus shifted to the team with the ‘Mosqueteiro’ mascot; an apparently uninvolved Timão.
Corinthians became a hive of activity as swarms of reporters descended on the Parque São Jorge to elicit opinions from the most Argentinean of Brazilian teams. Daniel Passarella was shocked by the treatment of the wayward defender; “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw him paraded out in handcuffs...The whole thing has made a mountain out of a molehill...Europe is in a much worse state than South America: just look at the mess in Milan and the flare thrown at Dida”. He went on to justify the nickname ‘macaquitos’ (little monkeys) saying it forms part of local culture, setting fire to the reasonable argument he had just constructed.
Timão defender Sebá was irritated at the media spotlight, but pointed out that in Argentina ‘negro’ is an affectionate nickname, including for white players with dark olive skin. Fair enough, but in the heat of a crucial match and accompanied by S.O.B. and the adjective ‘shitty’, maybe not so affectionate. Carlitos Tevez, true to form, avoided any comment on the subject but his silence was fairly eloquent given the close bond of friendship that he and Betão have formed – the two are thick as thieves despite differences in nationality and skin tone.
It didn’t take long for the scandal to spill over Brazil’s borders, the owner of the sweetest foot and widest mouth in Argentinean football airing his views; “The pitch has always been a place for that sort of bullshit...it doesn’t mean a thing” and causing an immediate snarl from São Paulo coach Emerson Leão “Maradona’s not right in the head...we all know why” he lashed out referring to Maradona’s long-term relationship with white powder rather than white power.
CONMEBOL president Nicolás Leoz took a harder line on the issue “We must stand firm against any growth of racism in Latin American football”. He also announced that Leandro Desábato was now banned from competing in any Libertadores matches this year if video tape and microphone evidence proves that he did make a racist comment. The executive committee will be meeting to take an official stand on the issue on the 28th. of April, when CBF president Ricardo Teixeira and his Argentinean opposite number Julio Grondona will take part.
What remains to be seen is Brazilian state president Lula’s opinion of the scandal, although his track record on racism is unflaggingly hard-line. At the same time that the scandal broke he was on an official visit to Senegal, being shown around the shameful relic of preserved coastal huts that had been used to hold slaves prior to their exile to Brazil and other South American colonies. He offered teary apologies on behalf of the Brazilian people for taking part in the slave trade and his hopes for a future that links Brazil and Africa more closely together. In response the Senegalese president embraced him, saying that Lula was an honorary black man. Added to the fact that Lula is a die-hard Corinthians fan the desire of the president to grasp the hot potato could be far-reaching and decisive.
Nevertheless little hard evidence has been unearthed, images not allowing for any tell-tale lip-reading of slurs. Arriving back in Buenos Aires the Argentineans were sticking firmly to their side of the story; it was all a set-up. “The stadium was plastered with anti-racism banners and the players were wearing wristbands with the same message written on them” Quilmes goalkeeper Marcelo Pontiroli, told the Argentinean sports paper Olé. There is a groundswell of opinion supporting the players’ claims of being used as a scapegoat in Brazil’s desire to show FIFA that they’re taking racism seriously and buff up their candidacy for a second world cup. For the majority of those taking part in Clarín’s on-line survey (62%) Leandro Desábato’s jail time was justified IF he actually uttered the nasty words.
Desábato’s feelings on the subject were recorded as he arrived crying at the same 34th. district police station where Grafite had pressed charges. In his declaration he professed great admiration for the São Paulo number 9; “We even swapped shirts after the March game in Argentina”. He went on to give his slant in which he’d told Grafite to “Stuff a banana up his arse” in response to Grafite’s insults questioning the legal status of his birth and mother’s profession. Questioned as to whether he had called Grafite either ‘Son of a *****’ or Shitty nigger’ he insisted on never using the first phrase and not remembering if he used the second, although ending with the statement “I am not a racist”
Until some degree of certainty of the facts gels, resolution of the situation is hamstrung by the old my-word-against-your-word deadlock that paralyses action and demands a fine-combing of audiovisual sources to uncover the truth. With no Zapruder footage looking likely to be brought forward, objectivity may well slide into a mud-slinging fall-out between two dissimilar brothers, each attempting to prove everything is black and white in their favour. Racism’s cousin xenophobia will undoubtedly lend a helping hand to stir things up with any embryonic battle against racism coming out of the process tainted: the only winners would be that niggling minority of pathetic racists.
The Brazilians claim racist provocation from southern, generally light-skinned neighbours who are racially prejudiced. The Argentineans claim that Brazil made a mountain out of a molehill and used it to kill two birds with one stone: settle old scores with Argentina and raise their profile as a bastion of safety and justice in the eyes of FIFA. If the former are proved right then expect a crusade against racism as CONMEBOL weighs in to stamp out any potential epidemic. If the latter are right expect old wounds between Argentina and Brazil to open and start to fester.
OP
sometimes I have the impression that most of the supporters who are shouting racist abuse and throwing bananas,... aren't really racists themeselves.
They just try to offense the other team and supporters by criticising the players. And the only way they found was (the easiest and dummest) racist abuse. I guess it started with some hardcore skinhead racists, but it's a proven fact that people tend not to think when they are in a crowd (like sheep basically), and so they just shout without thinking it's extremely stupid and mean.
And of course I think we should KICK RACISM OUT OF FOOTBALL. It would be a good start before we kick racism out of our blue (!) planet.
They just try to offense the other team and supporters by criticising the players. And the only way they found was (the easiest and dummest) racist abuse. I guess it started with some hardcore skinhead racists, but it's a proven fact that people tend not to think when they are in a crowd (like sheep basically), and so they just shout without thinking it's extremely stupid and mean.
And of course I think we should KICK RACISM OUT OF FOOTBALL. It would be a good start before we kick racism out of our blue (!) planet.
