Former Chelsea and Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba has come to the defense of his former coach,José Mourinho,amid allegations of racism. On Wednesday, Drogba stated that Mourinho “is not a racist,” adding that history supports this claim.
The controversy arose after Galatasaray accused Mourinho, now managing Fenerbahçe, of making racist remarks following a heated 0-0 draw between the two Turkish rivals on Monday.
The match, officiated by a Slovenian referee, saw Mourinho comment on an early challenge, suggesting that a Turkish referee would have issued a yellow card “after the big dive and their [Galatasaray’s] bench jumping around like monkeys.”
Galatasaray has since announced plans to pursue legal action against Mourinho, citing “racist statements,” and has lodged complaints with football’s governing bodies.
Drogba, who played under Mourinho in two separate spells, firmly rejected the allegations, standing by his former manager.
“Trust me when I tell you I have known Jose for 25 years and he is not a racist and history [past and recent] is there to prove it,” Drogba, who is Black, wrote. “Let’s focus on our games, support our brilliant lions and let’s win the league.”
Drogba added: “How can my ‘Dad’ be a racist. Come on guys.”
Meanwhile, Fenerbahçe SK has also rejected the accusation, saying the remarks had nothing to do with racism and were “deliberately taken entirely out of context and distorted in a misleading manner.”
The club said it was planning to take a legal action “against this baseless accusation.”
The Turkish football federation’s disciplinary board is expected to make an announcement on the incident in the coming days.
Mourinho’s history with some African players
Jose Mourinho has had a long history of working with African players and has often expressed his admiration for them. He has coached several prominent African footballers, including Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, John Obi Mikel, and Samuel Eto’o, among others. Mourinho has spoken highly of these players, praising their loyalty, dedication, and fighting spirit.
Mourinho visits Africa with Michael Essien
Mourinho has also traveled to Africa and has shared his experiences of being warmly received by fans on the continent. He has mentioned that the love and respect he receives from African fans are overwhelming, and he has formed close bonds with many African players.
Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Michael Essien (Ghana), John Obi Mikel (Nigeria), Salomon Kalou (Ivory Coast), Geremi Njitap (Cameroon), Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon), Mohamed Salah (Egypt).
The Korean Football Association (KFA) has formally expressed “serious concerns” to FIFA following an incident in which Wolves’ forward Hwang Hee-chan was allegedly subjected to a racist remark by a Como player during a pre-season friendly.
The incident occurred during Monday’s friendly match in Marbella, Spain. Hwang reported the alleged remark, which Como acknowledged involved a reference to Hwang’s name.
While the Italian club dismissed the comment as non-racist and claimed the reaction from Wolves players exaggerated the situation, Wolves and Hwang firmly maintain that the remark was indeed racist.
Wolves are collaborating with the English Football Association to formalize their complaint, which will be submitted to both UEFA and the Italian FA. UEFA has stated it lacks jurisdiction over the matter as it was not a UEFA-sanctioned competition.
In response, the KFA has escalated the issue to FIFA.
In a statement, the KFA said: “In an official letter sent to FIFA on July 18, the Korea Football Association expressed serious concern about the racist behaviour suffered by Hwang Hee-chan from an opposing team player during a recent practice match, and issued a call to prevent racial discrimination occurring on the soccer field. In order to eradicate it, we asked FIFA to further strengthen sanctions against perpetrators.”
Wolves reported that the incident took place midway through the second half of the match, during which forward Daniel Podence was sent off for retaliating with a punch.
Wolves’ manager, Gary O’Neil, consulted Hwang about whether to abandon the game, but the 28-year-old chose to continue. Wolves eventually won the match 1-0.
Following the incident, Hwang took to Instagram to express his feelings: “Racism is intolerable in sports and in all aspects of life.
After the incident, the coaching staff and my team-mates immediately told me that they would leave the field with me if needed, and they kept checking on my wellbeing. I am very grateful to my team-mates once again.”
Google issued an apology following widespread criticism for a controversial comment made on its Africa page on X.
The post, intended to encourage interaction, asked followers to share their most memorable football stories, highlighting football as the continent’s most popular sport.
Attempting a humorous tone, the post jokingly contrasted this with the suggestion that hide-and-seek with lions is not the common pastime.
“Here’s Africa’s most common game. No, it’s not hide-and-seek with lions (although that sounds exciting). It’s football! Share your craziest football stories with us. We’re all about that kick it life,” the post stated.
However, several users on the social media platform were quick to point out a racist undertone to the post, specifically the attempt to feed into a stereotype about Africa.
“‘Google Africa’ being openly racist is wilder than wild,” @_FarouqOlami commented.
“What’s with this stereotype of a whole continent, @googleafrica? Africa is diverse with rich cultures and modern cities. Why couldn’t you celebrate the sport without the ‘hide-and-seek with lions’ reference?” another user, @Uchedible, posted.
In response to the backlash, Google removed the post and issued an apology, clarifying that it was intended to be humorous.
“We sincerely apologize for our tweet today. Our intent was humor, but we missed the markand offended many. We will strive to do better,” the company said.
UEFA is currently investigating an alleged incident of racist abuse during England’s 1-0 victory over Serbia in Gelsenkirchen, according to a source familiar with the matter.
The complaint did not originate from the Football Association or any England players, as they have indicated they lack further details on the incident when approached.
In a statement issued on Monday, UEFA mentioned that the Football Association of Serbia faces charges related to objects being thrown and the transmission of a provocative message deemed inappropriate for a sporting event.
Additionally, UEFA stated that an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector will conduct an investigation into alleged discriminatory behaviour.
The source confirmed that this investigation pertains to a racist incident, reportedly identified by an observer inside the stadium.
During the Group C match, England secured a 1-0 victory through Jude Bellingham’s header in the 13th minute.
The individual involved in the incident is not believed to have been removed from the stadium during the match.
England’s next match is against Denmark in Frankfurt on Thursday, coinciding with Serbia’s game againstSlovenia on the same day.
FIFA has put forward a five-pillar plan aimed at addressing racist abuse in football.
The global governing body stated that it had engaged in an extensive consultation process with current and former players who are committed to instigating change.
One of the plan’s key suggestions involves implementing a standard crossed-hands gesture for players to signal racist incidents during matches.
This ‘Global Stand Against Racism’ proposal is set to be presented to FIFA’s 211 members at the annual congress in Bangkok on Thursday.
The first pillar of the proposal intends to make racism a specific offence which is included in all member associations’ disciplinary codes and has its own “specific and severe sanctions, including match forfeits”.
Fifa said it will “pause, suspend and abandon games in cases of racism”.
The crossed-hands gesture will be used by referees to signal an in-game procedure in which matches are paused twice and warnings are given, with the game to then be abandoned in the event of further racism.
In pillar three – ‘criminal charges’ – Fifa called for racism to be recognised as a criminal offence in every country, and said it would push for severe sanctions in the countries where it is already an offence.
Fifa also said it would promote education initiatives with schools and governments to “provide a future free of racism”, while an anti-racism panel made up of former players will be set up to review the progress of the proposal.
Earlier this year, Brazil and Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr said he felt “less and less” like playing football because he had suffered repeated racist abuse.
Last year, a Fifa report found almost 20,000 abusive social media posts were aimed at players, coaches and officials during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
And in 2021, England manager Gareth Southgate called the racist abuse aimed at Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka after the Euro 2020 final “unforgivable”. Why have Wolves called for a vote on VAR?
Wolves said VAR was introduced “in good faith” but has led to “numerous unintended negative consequences that are damaging the relationship between fans and football”.
The club is initiating discussions to evaluate the true sentiment towards VAR, rather than simply accepting the status quo during the summer break.
In the first half of the season, decisions against Manchester United, Luton, Sheffield United, Newcastle, and Fulham proved costly in terms of points.
A split decision by the Key Match Incident (KMI) panel occurred regarding Joao Gomes’ handball in the 1-1 draw against Luton, while it unanimously agreed that Sheffield United’s last-minute penalty winner should not have been awarded.
Additionally, Newcastle’s penalty should have been overturned, and during the November match against Fulham, there were disputes over two penalties awarded to the visitors and whether Carlos Vinicius should have been sent off. Despite these concerns, the panel concluded that the VAR decisions were correct.
At the time, O’Neil suggested that the club might need to escalate its concerns about VAR decisions.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has advocated for global stadium bans for fans and proposed “automatic forfeits” for teams in cases where supporters engage in “abhorrent” abuse.
This call comes in response to recent racist incidents during football matches in Italy and England on Saturday.
Infantino emphasised that there is no tolerance for any form of discrimination, whether within football or in a broader societal context.
“The events that took place in Udine and Sheffield on Saturday are totally abhorrent and completely unacceptable,” he said in a statement.
“The players affected by Saturday’s events have my undivided support.”
Fans aimed monkey chants at AC Milan and France goalkeeper Mike Maignan during Milan’s dramatic 3-2 win at Udinese, with the game temporarily halted.
Support from Mbappe
In a strongly worded statement on X, formerly Twitter, the France team said: “You have all our support, Mike Maignan. The FFF (French federation) totally condemns all racist acts.”
France captain Kylian Mbappe also offered his backing to his international teammate.
Tu es très loin d’être seul Mike Maignan. On est tous avec toi. Toujours les mêmes problèmes et toujours AUCUNE solution. Trop c’est trop !!!!!!!!!!!!
“You are very far from being alone, Mike Maignan; we are all with you,” wrote the Paris Saint-Germain star.
“Still the same problems and still NO solution. Enough is enough!!!!! NO TO RACISM” he posted on X.
Coventry midfielder Kasey Palmer accused Sheffield Wednesday fans of doing the same towards him during their English Championship clash, which his team won 2-1.
“We need all the relevant stakeholders to take action, starting with education in schools so that future generations understand that this is not part of football or society,” Infantino said.
“As well as the three-step process (match stopped, match re-stopped, match abandoned), we have to implement an automatic forfeit for the team whose fans have committed racism and caused the match to be abandoned, as well as worldwide stadium bans and criminal charges for racists.
“FIFA and football show full solidarity with victims of racism and any form of discrimination. Once and for all: No to racism! No to any form of discrimination!”
At Udinese, referee Fabio Maresca stopped play during the first half and a livid Maignan stormed down the tunnel with his teammates.
“They’re ignorant people… You can be booed or whistled when you’re away from home; that’s normal, but what happened today has no place in football,” Maignan told Sky Sports.
Play resumed after about five minutes.
Mike Maignan and his AC Milan team-mates walked off the pitch briefly following abuse directed at the goalkeeper from the stands.
Italy, currently under the governance of a coalition led by the far-right Brothers of Italy party, grapples with the prevalence of fascist football fan groups, especially within the dedicated “ultras” who significantly contribute to the stadium atmosphere.
Recently, Lazio faced consequences as they received a one-match stand closure penalty due to fans directing monkey chants at Romelu Lukaku during their Italian Cup victory against local rivals Roma.
In Sheffield, the abusive behavior wasstrongly condemned by Palmer, who labeled it as “abhorrent and wholly unacceptable.” The match was temporarily halted as the referee engaged with both managers on the touchline to address the issue.
In a statement, Sheffield Wednesday said they were “shocked and saddened by the racist gesture from the stands reported by Sky Blues player Kasey Palmer.”
“Both clubs roundly condemn any form of discrimination and abuse, and underline that there is no place for this kind of behaviour in football or our wider society,” it added.
“We will work together with the relevant authorities and anyone proven to be culpable will face the strictest possible sanctions from both Sheffield Wednesday and the law.”
The United Nations has urged France to address deep-rooted issues of racism within its law enforcement following the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy of Algerian descent.
The teenager, identified as Nahel M, was killed by the police during a traffic stop in a Paris suburb three days ago.
In response to the ongoing riots that have erupted across the country, resulting in widespread destruction of property and violence, President Macron is convening a crisis meeting to address the situation.
The French government is actively exploring various measures to restore calm, including the suspension or restriction of public transportation in major cities such as Paris, Marseille, and Lyon starting from Friday evening.
The authorities have made nearly 900 arrests, while approximately 250 police officers have been injured in the unrest. The turmoil has also extended to the French overseas territory of Réunion located in the Indian Ocean.
The UN’s call to address systemic racism within law enforcement highlights the need for France to confront these underlying issues in order to achieve lasting peace and social harmony.
FIFA is poised to investigate reports concerning two separate incidents of alleged racism during international matches that took place on Monday.
In the match between the Republic of Ireland Under-21s and Kuwait Under-22s in Austria, the game was abandoned following an accusation that a player from the Kuwaiti team racially abused one of Ireland’s substitutes.
Similarly, the senior international match between New Zealand and Qatar, also held in Austria, was prematurely halted after the New Zealand Football Association revealed that one of their players, Michael Boxall, was subjected to a racist comment by an opponent from Qatar during the first half.
FIFA will now examine these incidents as part of their ongoing efforts to combat racism in football.
Even though the Ireland match was a tier two friendly and not requiring formal FIFA approval to be played, the fact that the Football Association of Ireland said in a tweet on Monday evening it would be reporting the matter to FIFA would oblige the game’s global governing body to investigate.
The New Zealand match was played under FIFA jurisdiction, meaning the referee’s report will be sent to the global governing body as a matter of course.
FIFA would be expected to take a tough stance if one or both of the allegations are found proven.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said last week: “It’s very important not just to talk about racism and discrimination, but to take action in a decisive and convincing manner – zero tolerance.
“There is no football if there is racism – so let’s stop the games.
“The referees have this opportunity in FIFA competitions as we have this process for stopping the game, and actions have to be taken at every level, at national level as well.”
Gianni Infantino has met Brazil and Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior, the victim of several shocking racism incidents while playing for his club this season, and sent a powerful message, saying that football cannot go on when there is discrimination.
Infantino made the remarks after meeting with the Brazil squad in Barcelona, including Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior who has been on the receiving end of repeated racial abuse in Spain this year.
The Football Association of Ireland posted a tweet on Monday which read: “The FAI regrets to announce that today’s U21 international against Kuwait has been abandoned after a racist remark was made by a Kuwaiti player towards one of our substitutes.
“The FAI does not tolerate any racism towards any of our players or staff and will be reporting this seriousmatter to FIFA and UEFA.”
The Kuwaiti federation published a tweet in which Olympic football team director Jarrah Al Ateeqi claimed the match had been abandoned “due to roughness and excessive tension between the players”.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino strongly emphasizes the necessity for a “zero tolerance” stance against racism and urges referees at all levels to halt matches in the event of such incidents.
Infantino recently held discussions with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who spoke out against racial targeting he experienced during the season.
Infantino condemned the racists as “criminals” and emphasized that football authorities must take responsibility.
Real Madrid recently filed a complaint with the Spanish State Attorney General’s Office, alleging that the racist abuse directed at Vinicius constituted a hate crime, following an incident during their LaLiga defeat to Valencia.
“It’s very important not just to talk about racism and discrimination, but to take action in a decisive and convincing manner – zero tolerance,” Infantino said after meeting Vinicius and the rest of the Brazil squad in Barcelona.
“There is no football if there is racism – so let’s stop the games.
“The referees have this opportunity in FIFA competitions as we have this process for stopping the game, and actions have to be taken at every level, at national level as well.
“It’s a football-related problem and we mustn’t look for excuses like: ‘It’s society’s problem, therefore, it’s fine in football.’ In the world of football, we must act in a very forceful way.
“We want to identify racists in stadiums and across social media. They are criminals. They have to be banned from stadiums across the globe.
“The authorities need to take these people to court and we will say this to all of them. Racism is a crime.”
In a powerful display of solidarity, Rodrygo Goes dedicated his dramatic last-minute winning goal against Rayo Vallecano to histeammate Vinicius Junior, who has been subjected to racial abuse and discrimination throughout the season.
Vinicius recently endured another distressing incident at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium, prompting an overwhelming wave of support from the global football community.
The call for more stringent measures to combat racism in the sport, especially in Spain, has grown louder.
Demonstrating their unity, Real Madrid players took to the field at the Bernabeu wearing No. 20 jerseys, representing Vinicius’ squad number.
The match against Rayo Vallecano ended with a 2-1 victory for Madrid, amplifying the message of solidarity and the collective stance against racism.
In the said encounter, Rodrygo, who scored the late winner for Los Blancos, dedicated his goal to his compatriot.
“It was a goal for my brother, for Vini. We’re always together, we have experienced many things, and we have already won everything with this club. I’m always by his side till the end, he already knows that, and we will continue fighting against racism,” he said, as quoted by Madrid Zone.
Despite being cleared to play the Vallecano game after La Liga reversed his red card against Valencia, Vinicius was omittedfrom Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the mid-week clash.
Tebas apologises to Vinicius
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that La Liga president, Javier Tebas has realised he was wrong for criticising Vinicius Junior, after the Real Madrid forward voiced his frustrations in a tweet after being racially abused.
The La Liga chief faced heavy backlash from the football community after he appeared to slam Vini for ‘failing to inform himself properly’. This was after the forward posted a message outlining the abuse he regularly receives at stadiums across Spain.
Tebas has now tendered an apology to Vinicius, as he revealed he had no intentions of attacking the Brazilian forward.
Vinicius being calmed after reacting to racism attacks from Valencia fans and La Liga president, Tebas
Manchester United supporters have taken to social media to express their desire for the talented Real Madrid player, Vinicius Jnr, to join their team after racist attacks.
The recent racial abuse directed at Vinicius Jr. by Valencia fans during his team’s 1-0 defeat has attracted significant attention.
While this incident is not an isolated occurrence, it appears that the Brazilian winger will likely continue his career at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Vinicius Junior was subjected to recist chants by fans during Real Madrid’s La Liga defeat to Valencia on Sunday. Photo by Quality Sport Images
According to Express Football, it is not the first time the 22-year-old has suffered abuse, with Mallorca and Atletico Madrid fans also targeting him earlier in the season.
Man United fans have now flocked to Twitter to call on Vini to move to Old Trafford this summer.
“We are with you Vini. Leave that dead league and come to United,” rallied @TheUtdLatest.
@ElijahBryant18 said:
“Just come to United my brother you deserve an exciting league free of racial abuse”
“Vinicius, come to United where you would be adored like your compatriot Casemiro,” were the words of @HenryNanthony.
Vincius Jr wants Madrid stay
Despite all the setbacks Vini Jr has had this season, reports have suggested the forward is eager to remain at Real Madrid, BBC Sports reports.
Those close to the player have reportedly begun to plan the forward’s possible exit from the Spanish capital.
Vinicius Jr has been urged to ditch Real Madrid for Man Utd this summer. Credit: @brfootball
Source: Getty Images
Vinicius, however, is said to be dedicated to Madrid and desires to win the war against racism by sticking to his guns rather than turning away.
Ronaldo sends message to Vinicius
Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Brazil legend, Ronaldo showing Vinicius Jr his support after the Brazilian was subjected to racism in a La Liga game against Valencia.
The unfortunate incident took place at the Mestalla Stadium on Sunday, with the Real Madrid winger cruelly targeted by chants from sections of the home crowd.
Among the legends who came forth to show support towards Vinicius after the incident was Ronaldo, who posted on social media in support of his fellow countryman.
Four individuals in Spain have been arrested on suspicion of hanging an effigy of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior from a bridge back in January.
The incident involved an inflatable doll dressed in a Vinicius shirt, suspended from the railings along with a banner bearing the words “Madrid hates Real Madrid.”
The act took place ahead of Real Madrid’s Copa Del Rey match against local rivals Atletico. Spanish authorities have now confirmed the apprehension of four suspects in connection with the incident.
⚠ÚLTIMA HORA⚠
🚩Detenidas en #Madrid 4 personas que presuntamente colgaron un maniquí con la camiseta de #Vinicius en un puente cercano a la Ciudad Deportiva del @realmadrid
They tweeted: “Arrested in #Madrid 4 people who allegedly hung a mannequin with the #Vinicius shirt on a bridge near the Ciudad Deportiva del @realmadrid.”
The arrests follow the latest racism scandal that has engulfed Spanish football, with Vinicius targeted by racist chants during Sunday’s LaLiga game with Valencia.
The Brazil international threatened to leave the pitch in the second half after being subjected to alleged monkey chants at the Mestalla.
His club Real Madrid said the abuse constitutes a “hate crime” and filed a complaint with the Spanish State Attorney General’s Office and Vinicius himself has highlighted what he describes as “continuous episodes spread across several cities in Spain”.
A cada rodada fora de casa uma surpresa desagradável. E foram muitas nessa temporada. Desejos de morte, boneco enforcado, muitos gritos criminosos… Tudo registrado.
Mas o discurso sempre cai em “casos isolados”, “um torcedor”. Não, não são casos isolados. São episódios… pic.twitter.com/aSCMrt0CR8
Valencia confirmed police had identified a fan who made racist gestures at Vinicius and that individual faces a lifetime stadium ban from the Mestalla.
Vinicius tweeted on Monday night: “Every round away from home is an unpleasant surprise. And there were many this season. Death wishes, hanged doll, many criminal screams… All registered.
“But the speech always falls on ‘isolated cases’, ‘a fan’. No, these are not isolated cases. They are continuous episodes spread across several cities in Spain (and even in a television programme).
“The evidence is there in the video. Now I ask: how many of these racists had names and photos exposed on websites? I answer to make it easier: zero. None to tell a sad story or make those fake public apologies.
“What is missing to criminalise these people? And punish clubs sportingly? Why don’t sponsors charge La Liga? Don’t televisions bother to broadcast this barbarity every weekend?
“The problem is very serious and communications no longer work. Not blaming me to justify criminal acts either. You are not football, you are inhuman.”
LaLiga president Javier Tebas responded to an earlier Vinicius post, in which the Brazil international said racism was “normal”, by accusing the forward of “criticising and insulting” the league.
In another tweet on Monday, Tebas said: “Neither Spain nor @LaLiga are racist. It is very unfair to say this.
“How @LaLiga we denounce and fight racism with all rigidity within our competences. This season there were 9 cases of racist insults (8 of them for insults against @vinijr)
“We always identify the violators and take the complaint to the legislating bodies. It doesn’t matter that they are few, they are relentless.
“We cannot allow the image of a competition that is about the symbol of peoples union to be tarnished, where more than 200 players are of black origin in 42 clubs that receive in each round the respect and affection of the fans, being the racism an extremely specific case (9 complaints) that we are going to eliminate.”
Kylian Mbappe has expressed his full support for Vinicius Junior in the wake of renewed racist chants, standing by the Real Madrid winger.
Vinicius faced a distressing situation at the Mestalla stadium, where he was subjected to discriminatory comments and actions from the crowd during Real Madrid’s league match against Valencia.
Displaying immense determination to address the issue, the Brazilian promptly identified the individuals involved, resulting in a temporary suspension of the game.
Unfortunately, Vini could not finish the match after he received his marching orders following an altercation with some Valencia players, which resulted in the 22-year-old slapping Hugo Duro, which was captured by the VAR, The Guardian reports.
After the game, he took to social media to slam Spain, branding the European nation as a ‘country of racists’ while aiming a similar dig at La Liga for failing to tackle the persistent racial abuse which has bedevilled the competition, per Sky Sports.
The winger’s resolve to fight the racism has received support from PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe, who disclosed his desire to back the Brazilian.
Mbappe wrote on Instagram: “You’re not alone. We are with you & we support you.”
Vini blasts La Liga amid racist abuse
Relatedly, Sports Brief reported that Vinicius Junior has slammed La Liga, calling out Spain as a ‘country of racists’ after the Real Madrid winger was subjected to another heckling during his side’s league game against Valencia.
Vinicius Junior was subjected to racist chants by fans during Real Madrid’s La Liga defeat to Valencia on Sunday. Photo by Quality Sport Images
Source: Getty Images
Vini endured racist chants from the crowd and later engaged in a confrontation with Hugo Duro, resulting in heightened tension that required intervention from teammates to restrain him.
After experiencing racism on numerous occasions during this La Liga campaign, the enraged Brazilian winger expressed his frustration on Twitter, referring to Spain as a ‘nation plagued by racism’.
Mbappe nets stunning goal
Earlier, Sports Brief reported thatKylian Mbappe continued his spree in front of the goal as Paris Saint-Germain close in on winning a record 11th Ligue 1 trophy.
Mbappe bagged a brace in a space of two minutes, including a golazo, to help PSG secure a 2-1 win at Auxerre on Sunday.
The Frenchman dazzled his marker with his quick feet, sitting him down twice before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the top corner.
Vinicius Junior, the forward for Real Madrid, is expressinghis anger towards Javier Tebas, the La Liga president, and urging him to take decisive measures against racism in the Spanish topflight.
Once again, during Real Madrid’s La Liga match on Sunday, May 21, the Brazilian player was targeted with racist chants from fans at the Mestalla Stadium.
Real Madrid considers the racism directed at Vinicius Junior to be a ‘hate crime’ and has lodged a complaint with the Spanish State Attorney General’s Office.
Brazil forward Vinicius was the subject of an alleged racist attack during Real’s 1-0 LaLiga defeat at Valencia on Sunday.
The game was paused after the break as Vinicius pointed out to the referee those who were allegedly abusing him in the stands at the Mestalla – and the 22-year-old later took to social media to say racism is ‘normal’ in LaLiga.
Real Madrid superstar vows to stand by Vinicius Jr. Image Mateo Villalba.
According to Sportskeeda, Vinicius responded harshly to Tebas’ tweet about his incident and demanded that the La Liga president take action against those guilty of racism.
War of words between Vini Jnr and Tebas
“Once again, instead of criticising racists, the president of LaLiga appears on social media to attack me. As much as you talk and pretend not to read, the image of your championship is shaken.
See the responses to your posts and have a surprise. Omitting yourself only makes you equal to racists. I’m not your friend to talk about racism. I want actions and punishments. Hashtag doesn’t move me.”
La Liga president Javier Tebas has told Vinicius Junior to “inform himself properly” after the Real Madrid forward lashed out at La Liga for not taking actions to curb racism, Goal reports.
Tebas swiped at Vinicius after he accused the Real Madrid forward of not attending meetings scheduled to battle racism in the league.
The Brazilian forward took to social media to criticise La Liga after being subjected to more racist attacks during Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to Valencia on Sunday, May 21.
Brazil President jumps to Vinicius’ defence
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Brazil president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has joined hands with an increasing array of football stars in lending support to Vinicius Junior, who faced racial abuse during a La Liga game.
After a fan was captured on camera making what looks to be a discriminatory gesture towards South Korean star Son Heung-min of Spurs,Crystal Palace committed to ban him on Sunday.
After Son was replaced in Saturday’s 1-0 victory for Spurs, the incident happened in the 89th minute.
The gesture was performed by one of the Palace supporters when the South Korean captain had to pass them as he was leaving the pitch at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“We are aware of a video circulating online (as well as reports made directly to us) regarding an individual in the away end at Spurs yesterday, appearing to make racist gestures towards Heung-min Son,” said Palace in a statement.
“Evidence has been shared with the police, and when he is identified, he will face a club ban. We will not tolerate such behaviour in our club.”
Tottenham said they were working with Palace and the police to identify the individual.
“Discrimination of any kind is abhorrent and has no place in society, our game and at our club,” said Spurs.
Son was also racially abused during a match betweenChelsea and Tottenham at Stamford Bridge in August.
Chelsea banned a season-ticket holder indefinitely after footage emerged on social media of a fan in the home end making a racist gesture towards Son in the 2-2 draw.
“We will do everything in our powers to ensure that if found guilty, the individual will receive the strongest possible action — as was the case earlier this season when Son suffered similar racial abuse at Chelsea,” said Tottenham.
Manager of Paris Saint-Germain, Christophe Galtier, has received support following accusations that he made racist remarks about players while in charge of Nice.
The accusations appeared in an email that Julien Fournier, a former Nice football director, is said to have sent at the conclusion of the previous campaign.
The email was sent to Dave Brailsford, the director of sports at INEOS, the organisation that owns Nice, according to The Athletic.
The email’s contents were originally made public on Tuesday evening, with Galtier allegedly telling Fournier that the team “could not have so many blacks and Muslims in the team” according to Fournier’s account.
Fournier and Galtier both left Nice after the end of last season, with Galtier cherry-picked to be coach of champions PSG.
Galtier’s lawyer, Olivier Martin, said the 56-year-old PSG coach “contests with the greatest firmness” the accusations made against him. In a statement to AFP, Martin said Galtier “learned with amazement of the insulting and defamatory remarks”.
Fournier allegedly also mentioned John Valovic, the agent and adopted son of Galtier, in the e-mail.
Valovic responded on Instagram, writing: “Thanks to everyone for your support. The accusations against me are false and intolerable. They will not remain without consequences.”
Veteran Turkish striker Burak Yilmaz, who played under Galtier at Lille, said the claims of racism did not tally with his own experiences.
In a message posted on Instagram on Wednesday evening, Yilmaz wrote: “I read the news today and I felt like I have to say something. I worked with Galtier and never felt any negative behaviour from him about my religion or nationality.
“He is a great coach as well as a great person.”
Defender Jose Fonte, who along with Yilmaz won the 2020-21 Ligue 1 title under Galtier at Lille, also stressed the claims came as a surprise.
“In three years working with Mr Galtier, he was always close to his players and above all, very respectful,” Fonte wrote. “It is upsetting reading some news today. I have only good things to say about this man.”
Jean-Michel Aulas, the long-standing president of Lyon, said he was “very sorry” for Galtier.
According to the Nice-Matin newspaper and other French media, security around Galtier has been tightened up since the allegations came to light.
Aulas, quoted by RMC, said: “I am very shocked and very sorry for Christophe, whom I know personally.
“I cannot imagine this kind of thing, but it’s not for me to pass judgement. We see things happening in the public square that are so different from what we advocate in football.
“From the moment Christophe expresses his refusal to accept this type of information, he has every right to do so.”
Nice issued a statement on Wednesday that read: “The facts related concern two people who no longer work for OGC Nice. This situation was treated with the utmost seriousness at the time of the events. The club will not comment further.”
Fournier has firmly denied leaking the email, saying in a statement to Nice-Matin: “I am in no way responsible for the dissemination of this year-old internal information at the time of my departure from the club. The timing of these revelations revolts me as much as their content.”
Galtier is expected to make a routine appearance at a PSG pre-match press conference on Friday, ahead of his team’s top-of-the-table Ligue 1 game against Lens the following day.
When Inter Milan played Juventus in the Coppa Italia semifinal at the San Siro Stadium, Lukaku was exposed to racial taunts.
A succession of nasty situations were caused by the Belgian’s excitement after scoring a last-second penalty.
He was involved in a scuffle with Juan Cuadrado, with the Juve utility player punching Inter captain, Samir Handanovic.
The three – Lukaku, Cuadrado, and Handanovic – were all sent off. Lukaku’s sports agency, Roc Nation issued a stinging response, calling for an end to racism against their client.
“Tonight’s racist remarks made towards Romelu Lukaku by Juventus fans in Turin were beyond despicable and cannot be accepted.”
A couple of leading stars, both former and current, have joined in condemning the incident.
Chelsea legend,Didier Drogba took to his Twitter and wrote: “When your talent and strength start hurting them and you’re becoming bigger and better, their stupidity arises.”
Lukaku’s parent club, Chelsea also left a message of support alongside a couple of Blues players including Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah.
Kevin De Bruyne also reshared Roc Nation’s message on his Instagram stories.
Sky Sports has reported that Juventus are working with authorities to identify the perpetrators of the racist acts.
Lukaku breaks silence on racism
At the same time, Sports Brief reported the Chelsea striker, on loan at Inter, expressed his outrage on Instagram after the incident.
He used the phrase ‘history repeats itself’, referring to a similar incident in 2019 when Cagliari fans aimed racist slurs at him.
Inter striker Romelu Lukaku has called for action from Serie A officials after allegedly being targeted by racist chants from Juventus fans following his equaliser at the Allianz Stadium.
The Belgium international netted a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time to earn Inter a 1-1 draw in Tuesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final first leg, before using his finger to shush the home fans.
Referee Davide Massa booked Lukaku for the celebration and showed the goalscorer a second yellow card following a heated aftermath that spilled over past full-time, leading to Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado and Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic also seeing red.
Lukaku pointed to his previous experiences of racism in Italy as he responded to the events with an Instagram post.
He said: “History repeats. [I’ve] been through it in 2019 and [now in] 2023 again.
“I hope the league really take actions for real this time because this beautiful game should be enjoyed by everyone.
One of Europe’s top wingers, Bukayo Saka, is a young player under Mikel Arteta who is trying to help Arsenal win the Premier League for the first time since the 2004 Invincibles. The Nigerian-born Saka’s career hit rock bottom in 2021 when he missed England’s fifth penalty attempt in the Gli Azzurri’s victory over England in the postponed Euro 2020 final.
Along with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho of Manchester United, he also faced racist taunts. Unexpectedly, a young fan who wrote Saka a letter and included some pocket money offered him comfort.
Saka meets young fan who gave him his pocket money
As revealed in an episode of Arsenal’s All or Nothing documentary on Amazon Prime Sport, the 21-year-old met the boy named Teddy, who was invited to Emirates Stadium.
The most wholesome video you will watch today 🥰
Teddy sent Bukayo Saka a letter and his pocket money after his Euro 2020 penalty miss.
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) March 1, 2023
Saka showed up in the dressing room, where the boy was already dressed in an Arsenal kit and asked what flavour of ice cream he wanted in reference to his request in the letter, and he responded with strawberry flavour.
When asked why he wrote the letter, the kid responded heartwarmingly and correctly pronounced the name Saka like the Yoruba people of South Western Nigeria, where Saka’s parents originated. ”Because people were being racist to Saka. Bullying him,” he said.
Arsenal target and AC Milan forward Rafael Leao has raised the excitement of the Gunners after he commented on Saka and Teddy’s video on Twitter.
The allegations made by Matthew Hoggard, Tim Bresnan, and others in the Azeem Rafiq racism case that they were not invited to participate in the investigation have been refuted by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
On Wednesday morning in London, the public Cricket Discipline Commission hearing into allegations of racism made by former Yorkshire player Rafiq got underway.
Michael Vaughan, a former captain of England, Hoggard, Bresnan, John Blain, Andrew Gale, and Richard Pyrah are all accused of using racially insensitive language.
The accusations made against former England bowler Hoggard by CB attorney Jane Mulcahy KC included the creation and use of the term “Rafa the Kaffir,” frequent use of the word “P***,” calling Rafiq and other players “you lot,” and the use of the term “you lot” and the term “TBM” (token black man) towards teammate Ismail Dawood.
Mulcahy then moved to “correct a number of misrepresentations” made by Hoggard, Bresnan and Pyrah, who have refused to attend the hearing along with Blain and Gale.
She said former Yorkshire all-rounder Pyrah asserted that ‘during the ECB investigation I was never once accused of, or asked about, any specific racism point against me. Then I found out I had been charged by the ECB on racism points that I had never heard of or (been) questioned on before’.
Mulcahy revealed the ECB had written to Pyrah on February 9 last year and received a response “in some considerable detail” on February 20.
Pyrah then requested an interview which was conducted on April 8, during which the allegations were put to him, Mulcahy said.
Matthew Hoggard claimed he was not invited to take part in the investigation (Simon Cooper/PA)
Former all-rounder Bresnan also claimed not to have been interviewed, saying “they just charged me… without even speaking to me”, which the ECB insists was “evidently incorrect” as it has a transcript of the interview.
Hoggard made a similar claim, with the ECB saying he “was provided with the opportunity to provide written responses to the allegations, which he did, before informing the ECB that he did not intend to respond further”.
oggard claimed that the ECB was “refusing to hand over evidence”, but the governing body insists this was incorrect and stated it had “provided the respondents with hundreds of documents and voluntarily waived privilege over all of its communications with individuals who are not witnesses in these proceedings”.
The ECB also highlighted that the five non-attendees had “denied themselves the opportunity to challenge Rafiq’s allegations” by withdrawing from the process.
Rafiq, 32, first spoke out about his experience of racial harassment and bullying across two spells with Yorkshire in 2020.
The ECB brought charges against seven individuals andYorkshire in June last year, with Rafiq succeeding in having the case dealt with in public by an independent panel (the CDC).
It was confirmed that the case against Vaughan would begin on Thursday. The former England captain denies the charges.
Another former player, Gary Ballance has already admitted a charge related to the use of racially discriminatory language. Yorkshire have also admitted four charges.
The CDC panel consists of former Derbyshire batsman Tim O’Gorman (chair), Mark Milliken-Smith KC and Dr Seema Patel.
Basketball scout Sarah Chan’s career has taken her all over the world, from Sudan to Kenya, Europe and the US – but she’s had to face war, racism and gender-based violence along the way.
“I have been spat in the face for the colour of my skin,” says the former professional basketball player.
“I’ve experienced racism in more ways than I would like.”
Now the first woman to manage African scouting for a team in the NBA – the world’s top professional basketball league – Ms Chan is inspiring a new generation of young people to seek out opportunity in the sport.
“Basketball illuminated my way to where I am today. It is everything,” says Ms Chan, who is featured in the BBC 100 Women list of inspiring and influential women this year.
She and her family lived in Khartoum during the second Sudanese Civil War. There were several attempts to arrest her father and she recalls often being woken in the night by noises outside their house.
Eventually they fled, hoping to find a safer life and better education in Kenya.
“It was the first place that we could actually enjoy the right of playing sports, because in Sudan [playing] sports and seeing a girl or woman in shorts was a taboo,” says Ms Chan.
It was here that her passion for basketball would emerge. She remembers a conversation that led to her and her sister playing the sport for the first time.
“I remember being one of the tallest kids in school in Kenya and our principal approached us and asked if we could play.
“And at the time, honestly, my mind wasn’t there. And so I said, with all respect I didn’t want to join – and because of that, he immediately made sports mandatory.”
Ms Chan – here on the left, with shirt number 33 – discovered her passion for basketball in Kenya
After years of training, she went on to secure a four-year undergraduate basketball scholarship at Union University, in Jackson, Tennessee, in the US. Over a 14-year playing career, she competed professionally in Europe and across Africa.
“Through basketball you touch so many hearts. Basketball changes lives,” she says.
But Ms Chan also encountered racism in the sport – including an incident she says happened when she travelled to Algiers, with her team mates and was spat at on the face by a man.
“Without the foundation of what my family instilled in me, I wouldn’t have been able to withstand all of that,” she says.
“Right before I left home, my dad and my mum said, ‘You’re beautiful just the way you are.’”
When she took her first trip back to South Sudan in 2012, Ms Chan witnessed injustices against women, including early and forced marriages.
“At the age of 18 you’re expected to start looking for a mate,” she says.
Girls are forced to choose whether to stay in school “or to get financial relief from the man that the family might choose for you”, she explains.
“I cried for way too long.
It got to a point where I was done crying and I needed to find out what I could do to contribute towards making some things right.”
Sarah (second from right) attributes her success to a strong support system from her family
And so Ms Chan started the Home At Home/Apediet Foundation, a mentoring charity to combat child marriage and advocate for education and sport.
She remembers a time she was watching a game when a girl came to sit next to her on the bench.
“She wasn’t even a basketball player, she was just a random kid that came to the court and started opening up to me and told me a gut-wrenching story of how she had got raped the night before,” she says.
“And it really took me apart because I have had my own traumatic experiences with rape. And it took a long time to heal.
“In the beginning I was in denial – [I thought] that such trauma and rape didn’t happen to six-foot-two girls. Then anger, then grief, and it makes you feel just worthless and helpless and bitter.”
For her, healing has come from doing “one of the hardest things” and forgiving the perpetrator – and also from her work with the foundation.
“I came from poverty and we figured it out,” she says.
“These kids only need an opportunity because they’re very gifted, smart and able.
“Somebody helped me to start playing sports, and without them doing that, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Despite being a male-dominated sport, Ms Chan thinks that the potential for women’s basketball on the continent is bright.
“Sports is the future of Africa. It’s the weapon of Africa, especially for the girls,” she says.
She takes her mentoring work seriously, she says, “because people saw things in me that I hadn’t already seen”.
Sarah Chan takes mentoring seriously to help girls achieve their dreams
It was through coaching that she landed her role with the Toronto Raptors, after an NBA executive spotted her working at a basketball camp in Kenya.
Now employed by the team, which was founded in 1995 as part of the NBA’s expansion into Canada, it’s Ms Chan’s job to spot emerging talent – both male and female – to support the players’ development and create a pipeline to open up basketball opportunities for them in North America.
She recently travelled to Uganda and Tanzania to pick players for a major tournament in Rwanda next year.
“It’s my hope that ‘ball gets to the point where there’s a WBAL, a Women Basketball African League,” she says.
“That is my dream for these girls, that they’re not limited by culture, they’re not limited by any thinking.
“They’re free and liberated truly in their minds, and can chase their dreams as human beings, not restrained or limited by being this or that gender.”
Lady Susan Hussey, 83, has “profoundly apologised for the hurt caused” and “stepped down from her honorary role with immediate effect,” according to a spokesperson.
The godmother of Prince William has resigned from her position at Buckingham Palace after making “unacceptable” remarks at a reception hosted by the Queen Consort.
Lady Susan Hussey, 83, resigned after asking Ngozi Fulani, CEO of Sistah Space, where she “really came from” at a palace reception on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for her godson, the Prince of Wales, said the news was “really disappointing.”
“Obviously, I wasn’t there, but racism has no place in our society. The comments were unacceptable, and it is right that the individual has stepped aside with immediate effect,” the Kensington Palace spokesperson said.
Ms Fulani, who is black, works as an advocate for survivors of domestic abuse and described the exchange as a “violation”.
She wrote on Twitter that Lady Hussey, who she refers to as ‘Lady SH’, “approached me, moved my hair to see my name badge” and then insisted on asking her “what part of Africa are you from”.
Despite her saying she is British, the aide said: “I can see I am going to have a challenge getting you to say where you’re from.”
It comes after Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, claimed last year that a member of the royal household raised concerns about what colour skin her son Archie would have before he was born.
The palace responded by saying that “issues raised, particularly that of race” were “concerning” and the matters would be addressed privately.
Buckingham Palace said of Tuesday’s events: “We take this incident extremely seriously and have investigated immediately to establish the full details.
“In this instance, unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made. We have reached out to Ngozi Fulani on this matter, and are inviting her to discuss all elements of her experience in person if she wishes.
“In the meantime, the individual concerned would like to express her profound apologies for the hurt caused and has stepped aside from her honorary role with immediate effect.
“All members of the household are being reminded of the diversity and inclusivity policies which they are required to uphold at all times.”
Image: Ngozi Fulani (centre left) and the Queen consort (centre) at the palace on Tuesday
In an interview with LBC, Ms Fulani said “nobody from the palace has spoken to me”, but she would be “happy to have a conversation to bring about a positive solution”.
Reflecting further, she said: “To be honest I wish that the lady could be spoken to and know the damage she has caused and preferably not be front-facing.
“But for her to resign, that has nothing to do with me. I don’t feel good about that. She’s an elder and in my culture we respect elders.
Lady Hussey was married to Marmaduke Hussey, former chairman of the BBC’s board of governors and was one of the Queen’s closest confidants and ladies in waiting for more than 50 years.
Despite strict COVID restrictions, she accompanied Her Majesty to Prince Philip’s funeral.
Image: The Queen and Lady Hussey in 2011
Image: Lady Hussey (right) attends the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey
Ms Fulani said the incident left her with “mixed feelings” about the event on stopping violence against women and girls, where other guests included Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelenska and Jordan’s Queen Rania.
Responding to messages of support, she added that being unable to report the issue or tell the Queen Consort about it added to her distress.
“There was nobody to report it to. I couldn’t report it to the Queen Consort, plus it was such a shock to me and the other 2 women, that we were stunned to temporary silence,” she wrote.
“I just stood at the edge of the room, smiled & engaged briefly with who spoke to me until I could leave.”
Mandu Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, who was stood next to Ms Fulani and witnessed the exchange, said she was “stunned”.
She told Sky News: “It was really uncomfortable. If Ngozi was a white woman there is no way that line of questioning would have taken place. It’s not what you expect.”
“We weren’t gate crashers, but we were made to feel almost like trespassers.”
Asked if she was reassured by Lady Hussey stepping down and apologising, she said no – and that the royals need to “step up” and acknowledge that “institutional racism is part of the culture”.
Based in Hackney, east London, Ms Fulani’s organisation Sistah Space is a support organisation for women of African and Caribbean heritage affected by abuse.
It said in a statement: “We at Sistah Space would like to raise awareness about this issue rather than shame anotherindividual.”
Domestic abuse is one of the key causes championed by the Queen Consort since she became part of the Royal Family.
London Fire Brigade is “institutionally misogynist and racist”, according to a damning review of its culture.
A black firefighter had a noose put by his locker, while a female one received a video of a colleague exposing himself.
The independent review was established by the London Fire Commissioner after a trainee firefighter took his own life in August 2020.
Commissioner Andy Roe said there was no place for discrimination, harassment and bullying in the brigade.
“From today it will be completely clear to all staff what behaviour isn’t acceptable and what the consequences will be,” he added.
‘Grim reading’
The review, conducted by the former Chief Crown Prosecutor for north-west England, Nazir Afzal, concludes that unless the “toxic culture” is tackled then other firefighters will take their own lives.
It lists a number of instances of abuse and poor behaviour at almost all levels of London Fire Brigade (LFB), including:
Multiple cases of bullying “and the targeting of ethnic minorities and women” with some complaints not investigated
Women “sexually taunted”, including one who received video calls from a man exposing his genitalia
Men “huddled around a screen watching porn” at some fire stations
Talking to the BBC, Mr Afzal said the report made for “grim reading”.
“We’ve heard example after example about women who were harassed or sexually assaulted – constant sexual taunting to the point that I am now saying that the London Fire Brigade is institutionally misogynist,” Mr Afzal said.
“In addition to the misogyny, there is an enormous amount of racism. One black man had a noose put up above his locker, another Muslim officer had bacon rolled on his plate before he ate.
“Women told us they were told [by male firefighters]: ‘We want to get you out of here, we don’t want you to be a fire officer.’ It goes back to the whole fireman concept.
“I sat with a very senior female officerwho said to me, through tears, that whenever she goes through a dangerous incident, she’s always thinking: ‘Will the men have my back? Will the men around me protect me given how they have treated me back at the station?
“If they feel they can’t trust the men around them because of their behaviour or misbehaviour and worse, then they aren’t safe and neither are we.”
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES Image caption, The behaviour of some staff “left a clear trail of psychological harm”, the report found
The report also found that while there was often “considerable sensitivity” in the brigade around issues of race, there appeared to be “a worrying blind spot” concerning misogyny and sexism.
One firefighter told the review that she advised her female friends not to let male firefighters in the house to give safety advice because “they go through women’s drawers looking for underwear and sex toys”.
The review recommends firefighters now wear body-worn videos for home visits.
The behaviour of some brigade staff “left a clear trail of psychological harm”, the report said.
Mr Afzal said the racism, misogyny and bullying identified within the LFB were far more widespread.
Speaking to the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said he was approached by other fire brigades and organisations as he undertook the review.
“People telling me please, please come and have a look at my culture.
“I ask anyone who’s rushing to judgement on London Fire Brigade to look in the mirror and look at themselves because they will see similar things happening.
“Their staff need the same support and protection that London Fire Brigade need to provide to theirs.”
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said in a statement the report confirmed concerns it had raised over many years.
Image caption, The review, written by Nazir Afzal, concludes that unless the “toxic culture” is tackled then other firefighters will take their lives
Gareth Cook, FBU’s regional organiser for London, said morale and engagement at LFB was low.
He said 40% said they were frustrated in their job with staff shortages, no leave availability and poor work-life balance.
He added: “We have raised concerns about many of the issues contained within this report historically and as a consequence we remain sceptical about the changes senior leaders will implement with regards to their own behaviours.”
LFB Commissioner Mr Roe told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he was “horrified” and “heartbroken” to read the report.
‘Change starts now’
Asked if he agreed with the review’s finding the organisation was institutionally misogynist and racist, he said: “I think when 2,000 of your staff have written that story you can’t deny any of it. I accept the report in full, I accept all the recommendations.
“There will be change and the change starts now.”
“From Monday we are putting externally into the hands of independent experts all of our complaint, harassment, bullying investigations,” he added.
Mr Roe said he hoped employees would have the confidence to raise concerns and the organisation would “take action against people who let the service down.”
Even seniority appears not to have insulated some women from abuse: former Commissioner Dany Cotton, who became the first woman to lead LFB, said she had received death threats following an anti-sexism campaign she was promoting.
Despite a series of failings, the review found most participants thought their workplace was “supportive and friendly”.
It also found examples of “good leadership” including people who “went out of their way to build inclusive environments and operate a zero-tolerance policy around discrimination” but described it as “uneven and patchy” across the brigade.
‘Watershed moment’
Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff felt they “must work twice as hard to be seen and heard”, the report said, adding that non-white staff were more likely to be disciplined and less likely to be promoted.
In one instance a Muslim firefighter was spoken to in an Indian accent by his colleagues and had a piece of bacon put in his sandwich.
When he transferred to another watch, his colleagues put a pork sausage in his pocket, the report said. He subsequently had a terrorism hotline sticker placed on his locker, but his complaints were dismissed. He eventually collapsed at work and was admitted to the hospital, and has since been diagnosed with PTSD and has had suicidal thoughts.
The Grenfell Tower fire was described as having a “seismic impact on the culture of LFB”, particularly on the mental health of staff.
North Kensington fire station, which is less than a mile from the tower, was “widely recognised as a supportive station with a strong and diverse culture”.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the details of misogyny and racism were “abhorrent” and said the findings of Mr Afzal’s review “must be nothing short of a watershed moment for the London Fire Brigade.”
District officials in Pflugerville, Texas said Monday that a middle school teacher is no longer employed after videos of his comments surfaced on social media.
A middle school teacher in Pflugerville, Texas, has been fired after a video of their racist comments to students surfaced on social media.
“Last Friday, Nov. 11, Pflugerville ISD officials were made aware of an inappropriate conversation a teacher at Bohls Middle School had with students during an advisory class,” Pflugerville Independent School District (PfISD) Superintendent Dr. Douglas Killian wrote in a statement Monday.
“As of Monday morning, Nov. 14, the teacher in question is no longer employed by Pflugerville ISD and we are actively looking for a replacement,” the statement added.
In videos posted on social media, the White teacher is heard telling multi-racial students that his race is superior. “Deep down in my heart, I’m ethnocentric, which means I think my race is the superior one,” he said, as students can be heard reacting.
“So White is better than all?” one student can be heard asking.
“Let me finish,” the teacher is shown to respond. “I think everybody thinks that. They’re just not honest about it.”
“You said you are a racist, right?” questioned a second student.
“I did, yeah, I’m trying to be honest,” the teacher said.
In the school statement, superintendent Killian apologized for any “undue stress or concern” caused by the unnamed teacher’s comments, and to the parents of the children who were captured on camera without their knowledge.
“We want to reiterate that this conversation does not align with our core beliefs and is not a reflection of our district or our culture at Bohls Middle School,” Killian continued.
“The advisory discussion was inappropriate, inaccurate, and unacceptable; and this type of interaction will not be tolerated in any PfISD schools.”
Construction of the Obama Presidential Center came to a halt this week after a noose was reportedly discovered at the $830 million worksite.
Lakeside Alliance, a coalition of Black-owned construction firms overseeing the project, confirmed the news in a statement Thursday, shortly after the noose was found. The group told outlets it was suspending operations indefinitely so it could hold additional anti-bias training for its workers.
“We reported the incident to the police and will provide any assistance required to identify those responsible,” Lakeside Alliance said in a statement to the Chicago Tribune. “We have zero tolerance for any form of bias or hate on our worksite. Anti-bias training is included in our onboarding process and reiterated during sitewide meetings. We are suspending all operations on-site in order to provide another series of these trainings and conversations for all staff and workers.”
Lakeside Alliance is also offering a $100,000 reward for information that helps find the culprit(s).
“Our priority is protecting the health and safety of our workforce,” the group added. “We have notified authorities who are investigating the incident.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker addressed the incident via Twitter on Thursday, saying “hate has no place in Illinois.”
“The noose is more than a symbol of racism, it is a heart-stopping reminder of the violence and terror inflicted on Black Americans for centuries,” he tweeted. “I condemn this act of hate in the strongest possible terms, and the state of Illinois will make all needed resources available to help catch the perpetrators.”
Hate has no place in Illinois. The noose is more than a symbol of racism, it is a heart-stopping reminder of the violence and terror inflicted on Black Americans for centuries. https://t.co/YQU0h1UEc8
I condemn this act of hate in the strongest possible terms, and the state of Illinois will make all needed resources available to help catch the perpetrators.
The center is being built in Chicago’s Jackson Park and will celebrate the legacy of the nation’s first Black president.
It will reportedly include a museum, two-story public meeting space, a library, and an athletic center. The 19.3-acre campus will be free and open to the public.
A mixed-race family has complained about encountering casually discriminatory remarks, claiming a small percentage “still lives in the ’50s.”
These have been in the form of jokes and being socially excluded.
Medwen Edwards, 43, lives in Bethesda, Gwynedd, with partner Lamin Touray, 39, who is originally from The Gambia.
Microaggressions are “everyday slights, indignities, put downs and insults” people suffer in their day-to-day life, RaceAlliance Wales said.
Medwen, a mother of nine, has three children with Lamin – Leo, three, Koby, two, and nine-week-old Aminata.
“I’m very lucky to have him in my life, and the children are too. He is so kind and loving towards us all,” she told the Newyddion S4C programme.
Having grown up in the Ogwen Valley, Medwen explained racism was a rare occurrence on the whole, but her family had experienced microaggressions several times.
“I still get comments now, it’s like some people still live in the ’50s,” Medwen said.
“We only get a few slight remarks. Comments and things like that, but otherwise everyone here is lovely with him.”
Brazil’s Richarlison has urged for strong punishments to be issued to those found guilty of racial abuse, after having a banana thrown at him while on international duty.
The Tottenham forward scored the second of the game in Brazil’s 5-1 victory over Tunisia in Paris but a comfortable win, the last international game before Brazil’s World Cup campaign commences, was marred by the incident.
A banana was thrown as Richarlison celebrated his goal, his ninth in 20 appearances for the national side, which became the latest racist incident to impact Brazilian footballers.
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr had suffered abuse from Atletico Madrid fans in his side’s recent derby triumph, following on from quotes from a Spanish agent who told him to ‘stop playing the monkey’ in reference to his dancing celebration.
Both players received a flood of support following the jarring incidents but Richarlison has warned that things will not improve unless the widespread condemnation is followed up with punishments.
“As long as they say “blah blah blah” and don’t punish, it will continue like this, happening every day and everywhere. No time bro!” he posted on Twitter.
Brazil’s squad had lined-up ahead of the match to display an anti-racism banner which read: “Without our black players, we wouldn’t have stars on our shirts”.
Enquanto ficarem de “blá blá blá” e não punirem, vai continuar assim, acontecendo todos os dias e por todos os cantos. Sem tempo, irmão! #racismonãopic.twitter.com/p8GqMPqUKa
At 72, Debbie Allenhas pulled off one of her biggest achievements, not for herself but for children.
Earlier this year, she finally opened a new 24,000-square-foot performing arts center for the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA) in Los Angeles — The Rhimes Performing Arts Center. (Yes, as in Shonda Rhimes.)
Allen founded DADA two decades ago to ensure that children of color, in particular, had a chance to take part in the performing arts. The reason that has become her passion is personal.
“In my heart of hearts, I’m always one of those kids,” Allen told CNN in a recent interview. “I grew up in Houston, Texas where in the ’50s and ’60s, everything was segregated, and I couldn’t go to class. I wasn’t allowed to go to the best dance school.”
She studied and struggled and fought her way to success. Her first big break: “Fame,” the 1980 movie and subsequent TV series about high school students at a performing arts school in New York. Allen played Lydia Grant, a hard-charging but loving dance instructor who did not sugarcoat what it took to be successful in the world of dance.
“The role in ‘Fame’ did so many things for me because I did so many things. I was the choreographer, I became a director on ‘Fame,’ I was their mama, I was the psychiatrist, I was their cook, I did everything,” Allen recalled of her experience. “I fell in love with those amazing young people who were actors and dancers and became writers and composers and it was a footprint that we left all over the world.”
Her arts center was made possible with the help of some of her friends and colleagues, who stepped up when Allen wasn’t sure if her dream to expand would work out.
It’s been a long time coming.
In 2017, Hollywood powerhouse producer Rhimes, with whom Allen worked on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” purchased the building, a warehouse in LA’s Koreatown, and donated it to Allen’s program. The Rhimes Performing Arts Center opened this spring.
“Just making more opportunity for young people in the arts, that’s my purpose in life. That’s greater than almost anything else that I do,” Allen said.
And Allen has done a lot. From dancing, to producing, to choreography, to acting and directing, she has forcefully but gracefully pushed past boundaries the industry has laid in her path.
Allen remains a director and executive producer on “Grey’s,” a show, she says, that tackles real-life issues like Covid and women’s reproductive rights.
“Our show is very female-driven and the plight of women right now in this country is remarkable. What is happening, what lays ahead of us and what battles we’re gonna have to wage to not go back into some dark age, it’s frightening,” Allen said.
With the show set to enter its record-breaking 19th season, Allen admits, “we’ve talked about it being over for the last three years,” but ending the series hasn’t felt right.
“We can’t,” she said. “The fans — (we have) more fans now than ever.”
Another show she was on — “A Different World,” a groundbreaking series that Allen produced and directed from 1988-1993 — ended prematurely, she says, and she doesn’t mince words when the subject comes up.
“‘A Different World’ should never have gone off the air,” she said. “That’s my opinion about that because talk about relevance, talk about what’s really happening in our country. We addressed some things — the presidential campaign, racism, date rape, AIDS.”
With an impressive career to look back upon, Allen still spends most of her time looking forward.
Later this month, she’ll host a jazz festival with Grammy winner and legendary musician Arturo Sandoval to raise money for her school. She’s excited about teaching salsa, as well as the taco trucks and tequila.
Hell-bent on having fun while doing hard work, she laughs easily and embraces the new with the old. Like twerking.
Oh, yes, she twerks.
“Twerking has had many names; it was the shimmy way back,” she says. “Twerking is funny. It’s a booty move is what it is, and you could totally link it directly to African dance.”
Whether she’s raising money, being a boss on set or moving her feet, Allen keeps her mission to matter front of mind.
“I’d like to be remembered as someone who gave her all,” Allen said. “[Someone] who gave 150% all the way, to her family, to her community, and to the young people in the world.”
The education department of South Africa’s Western Cape province has cleared Brackenfell High School of racism allegations made against its administration.
The row centred on a graduation party to which it was alleged that only white people were invited.
A provincial official, Debbie Schäfer, said the party had not been organised by the school but was a private event which had a 100-guest limit because of Covid-19 regulations.
The allegation caused an uproar online and the Economic Freedom Fighters party, held demonstrations outside the school in Cape Town.
But Brackenfell High distanced itself from the party and rejected accusations that it discriminated against black students.
Ghana and Swansea City star, Andre Ayew has shared his experience on being racially abused in a football match as he joins the call for an end to racism in all spheres of life.
The Swansea City star was speaking in an interview with Sky Sports on the growing Black Lives Matter movement which started after the killing of Black American George Floyd who was killed by a white police officer and has sparked protests worldwide.
Ayew shared his story on racism in a game he played against Russian side Zenit St.Petersburg while he was with Olympique Marseille.
“If you look back to the years before my dad’s time, it was even worse than now. These players like my dad paved the way for everyone to come in and prove that black people can do the job in Europe,” the 30-year-old said.
“I remember playing in Russia in the Europa League versus [Zenit] St. Petersburg, getting bananas thrown everywhere.
“People have gone through worse, I’m talking about my personal experience, but I’ve seen friends going through things and I just feel like that’s not how it should be.
“We need to make sure that we stamp our foot on the floor and make sure that it changes. Nothing’s easy but we need to keep going and not give up in what we believe in. I think that can take the world to another level.”
The Black Stars captain believes the movement and awareness being created now could bring a change in the systematic racism Black people face each day in their lives in the future.
US animated comedy series The Simpsons will no longer use white actors for the voices of characters from other ethnic backgrounds, the show’s producers say.
The show, broadcast on Fox Network, has faced years of criticism over white actor Hank Azaria’s voiceover of Indian-American character Apu.
Mr Azaria said earlier this year that he was stepping down from the role.
The entertainment industry has come under growing pressure to provide more opportunities for non-white performers.
Friday’s announcement comes in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests, which were sparked by the death of African-American George Floyd in US police custody on 25 May.
“Moving forward, The Simpsons will no longer have white actors voice non-white characters,” the producers said in a short statement.
In January, Mr Azaria said he would no longer be performing the voice of Indian convenience store owner Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, a role he had played since the character was created in 1990.
“We all made the decision together… We all agreed on it. We all feel like it’s the right thing,” he said at the time.
The show had been accused of using the character in a way that reinforced racial stereotypes.
Mr Azaria – who provides the voice of other characters, including black police officer Lou and the Mexican-American Bumblebee Man – said he found it “very upsetting to me personally and professionally” that anyone felt marginalised because of Apu.
Fox Network’s statement on Friday did not say whether Apu or other characters would continue to feature in the show.
Other white US actors to announce that they will no longer be providing voiceovers for people of colour include Mike Henry and Kristen Bell.
Mr Henry provided the voice of black character Cleveland Brown in the animated series Family Guy for 20 years.
“I love this character, but persons of colour should play characters of colour,” he tweeted on Friday.
Ms Bell, who provided the voice of Molly, a mixed-race child, in the cartoon series Central Park, said doing so displayed “a lack of awareness”.
“Casting a mixed-race character [with a] white actress undermines the specificity of the mixed-race and Black American experience,” she added.
The blatant racist attitude by a Bylaw Enforcement officer, towards two young Ghanaian-Canadian ladies in Toronto recently, has incurred the wrath of the leadership of the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO).
The racially charged confrontation between the City Bylaw Enforcement Officer and the two women, Debra Ampon and Eva Amo-Mensah, which was captured on video is making airwaves on mainstream media in Toronto.
In the video, the Officer who is white is seen confronting the young Black ladies for trespassing while ignoring some white people for the same alleged trespassing at the Centennial Park in Etobicoke in the City of Toronto.
The Officer was also alleged to have said that, because the black ladies were trespassing, he could have shot them.
The mayor of the City of Toronto, John Tory, has come out openly to order an independent objective investigation into the allegation.
Meanwhile, the Ghanaian-Canadian community in Toronto under the leadership of Emmanuel Duodu has written to the Mayor and the Chief of Law Enforcement in Toronto strongly protesting the anti-black racist behaviour of the Bylaw Enforcement Officer towards the two Ghanaian-Canadian women.
The letter signed by the President of GCAO reads:
On behalf of the Ghanaian-Canadian community, I want to express our profound shock, dismay and frustration about the alleged anti-black racist behaviour meted out to Debra Ampon and Eva Amo-Mensah at Cenntenial Park in Etobicoke by a Bylaw enforcement officer.
With the recent events in the US including the death of George Floyd, we had hoped that our law enforcement officers would make every effort to avoid engaging in acts of anti-black racism. Our youth are still reeling from the events in the U.S and some of the incidents in and around Toronto. They are literally frightened and at times do not feel safe in their neighbourhoods.
We appreciate, Mayor John Tory speaking about this incident and supports the efforts to ensure justice is served. Since this incident, our community is distraught and shaken by the blatant display of anti-black racism and these young women of our Toronto Ghanaian community feel they do not belong.
While this case is being investigated, we ask for justice to address the emotional and psychological trauma these young women are currently going through.
The Ghanaian-Canadian community strongly registers its displeasure at the systematic racism in Canada that threatens the unity and development of our multicultural (mosaic) society.
We can no longer be silent while our youth are subjected to anti-black racism and injustice.
A bronze statue of former US President Theodore Roosevelt is to be removed amid an ongoing backlash against symbols of racial bias and imperialism.
The statue outside the American Museum of Natural History in New York shows Roosevelt on horseback flanked by a Native American man and an African man.
A great-grandson of the president agreed with the removal, saying it did not reflect Roosevelt’s legacy.
But President Donald Trump tweeted: “Ridiculous, don’t do it!”
There has been a heated debate in the United States over the appropriateness of certain statues and commemorations since the death in police custody of African American George Floyd.
Symbols linked to the US Confederacy, which supported slavery, have been particularly targeted in the US.
Monuments to Christopher Columbus, the 15th Century explorer whose voyages on behalf of Spain opened the way for the European colonisation of the Americas, have also been criticised in the US as symbols of imperialism.
But the anti-statue campaign, arising from the Black Lives Matter movement, has spread globally, with monuments targeted in a number of countries.
What’s behind the museum’s decision?
The statue has stood outside the museum’s Central Park West entrance since 1940.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Sunday: “The museum has asked to remove the Theodore Roosevelt statue because it explicitly depicts black and indigenous people as subjugated and racially inferior.”
He said he backed the decision, adding it was “the right time to remove this problematic statue”.
Protesters across America have toppled statues associated with slavery
The museum’s president, Ellen Futter, said the world had become focused on “statues as powerful and hurtful symbols of systemic racism”.
She said the decision was based on the composition of the statue and not on Roosevelt, whom the museum would continue to honour.
A great-grandson of the former president, Theodore Roosevelt IV, told the New York Times: “The composition of the equestrian statue does not reflect Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy. It is time to move the statue and move forward.”
Activists opposed to symbols of colonial expansion and racial discrimination have wanted the statue removed for many years.
President Trump did not agree, tweeting his opposition early on Monday:
At a rally last week, the president condemned “the unhinged left-wing mob trying to vandalise our history, desecrate our monuments”.
It has not yet been announced what will happen to the statue.
Who was Theodore Roosevelt?
The Republican was one of the more flamboyant and commemorated of the country’s presidents, serving two terms from 1901 to 1909, and is often ranked in the top five in terms of achievement.
But there is no doubt his legacy is complex – a man who won widespread praise for proposals that led towards a welfare state, while also having a deeply troubling advocacy of eugenics.
“Teddy”, as he is known, is one of the four faces on the famous Mount Rushmore monument, where he joins Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington.
Roosevelt wedges his moustache in between Jefferson and Lincoln
The legacies of Jefferson and Washington, both slave owners, have been heavily questioned in the recent anti-racism campaign, and even Lincoln’s position on slavery is regarded as complicated.
Roosevelt was a lifelong and prodigious hunter, but also strongly acknowledged the need for conservation and indeed came to symbolise the birth of the movement.
He was also a big believer in expanding US power abroad, with strong interventionist policies.
With memorable quotes like “‘speak softly and carry a big stick”, it was perhaps not surprising that he took a leading role in the movie Night at the Museum, in the hands of Robin Williams.
Hollyoaks has launched an investigation after Rachel Adedeji alleged she witnessed racism on the soap.
The actress said a senior producer referred to black cast members using a racial slur and claimed black actresses were told to change their hair.
A statement posted on the show’s Instagram page said: “Hollyoaks has zero tolerance on racism.
“We are taking Rachel Adedeji’s comments extremely seriously and are investigating.”
On Saturday, Adedeji tweeted several claims about her experiences on the Channel 4 soap, which is produced by Lime Pictures.
The actress said she was told “You’re all the same” by a make-up artist, and said black actresses on the show were “forced to drastically change their hair” after being told viewers wouldn’t be able to tell them apart.
Adedeji, has appeared in more than 200 episodes of the show, but said in her four years on the soap she had only worked with one black director.
“Working at Hollyoaks is mostly positive, but the experiences I have encountered are a constant reminder of how difficult it is being a black woman in the industry,” Adedeji said. “I am no longer standing for it.”
Her comments follow the Black Lives Matter protests, which were sparked by the death of George Floyd in police custody.
Former Hollyoaks star Amanda Clapham supported Adedeji on Twitter, saying she witnessed “micro-aggressions” towards BAME staff on the show.
Clapham alleged one male black cast member was “disproportionately told off” for talking and messing around during filming, when a whole group of actors had been involved.
Andrea Ali, who plays Celeste Faroe, supported Adedeji but praised the soap’s efforts on representation.
“I am beyond blessed to be a part of a team as diverse and as inclusive as Hollyoaks,” Ali said.
“Celeste Faroe is a powerhouse and that representation of black women is not only one that I am proud of, but one that matters.”
Last week, Hollyoaks announced it would address the Black Lives Matter movement by recording a series of special podcasts about racism.
But in her statement, Adedeji said: “Putting out a podcast and asking your black cast members to teach you how to tackle these issues is the bare minimum. Do better.”
On Monday’s Loose Women, Bryan addressed the backlash she’d received from the podcast announcement, but said there was no bad blood between herself and Adedeji.
“Myself and Rachel have spoken and we have shared our feelings… I’m supporting her and she’s reached out to me also. We’ll just work through this, hopefully, internally.
“She meant no harm in her post in terms of me personally.”
In a statement to the ITV daytime show, Hollyoaks said: “Lime Pictures has a zero tolerance approach to racism, in line with our commitment to do the right thing, we will review the matters that have been reported.”
The BBC has contacted Lime Pictures for further comment.
Hollyoaks is set to resume production in Liverpool this week, with the cast expected back on set in July.
Adedeji first shot to fame as an X Factor finalist in 2009, finishing in ninth place. She joined Hollyoaks in 2016.
The police chief of Paris defended his forces Tuesday against accusations of brutality and racism as anger over alleged police violence mounts in France as in the United States.
Following a string of complaints of alleged heavy-handedness, Didier Lallement wrote a letter sympathising with the “pain” officers must feel “faced with accusations of violence and racism, repeated endlessly by social networks and certain activist groups”.
The Paris police force “is not violent, nor racist: it acts within the framework of the right to liberty for all,” he insisted in an email to the city’s 27,500 law enforcers.
Lallement refused permission for a rally outside a Paris court later Tuesday to call for justice for a young black man, Adama Traore, who died in police custody in 2016.
As thousands across the United States protested the police killing last week of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, Lallement expressed concern that the “tone” of the call to rally in Paris could expose a “sensitive site” to risk.
He also cited a nationwide ban on public gatherings of more than 10 people designed to hamper coronavirus spread, according to the Paris police department.
Organisers have vowed to press ahead with the protest under the banner “Truth for Adama”.
Traore, 24 was apprehended in a house where he hid after leading police on a 15-minute chase in 2016.
He lost consciousness in their vehicle and died at a nearby police station. He was still handcuffed when paramedics arrived.
– ‘Truth for Adama’ –
One of the three arresting officers told investigators that Traore had been pinned down with their combined bodyweight after his arrest.
The case sparked violent protests in the Paris suburbs and became a rallying cry for police brutality in France, which young, black men say is often targeted at them.
Last Friday, French medical experts exonerated the three police officers, dismissing a medical report commissioned by the young man’s family that said he had died of asphyxiation.
It was the third official report to clear the officers.
Several French officers have been investigated for brutality against members of the public at long-running “yellow vests” anti-government rallies, and more recent anti-pension reform strikes.
Scores of protesters were maimed by rubber bullets or stun grenades, some losing an eye or a hand.
On January 3 this year, a 42-year-old man suffocated to death after being pinned face down to the ground during an arrest in Paris.
– ‘Republican bulwark’ –
Last week, a 14-year-old was badly injured in one eye during a police operation in Bondy, one of Paris’s less wealthy northern suburbs, sparking protests.
Lallement insisted Tuesday that any officer who erred would be appropriately punished.
“But I will not accept that individual actions throw into question the republican bulwark that we are against delinquency and those who dream of chaos and anarchy,” he wrote.
The police department in a tweet Tuesday also denounced the “unacceptable, systematic questioning of police intervening in difficult contexts with hostile crowds.”
Gambian born actress, Princess Shyngle has explained in an Instagram post how she was badly treated by black people when she went to America.
Princess Shyngle who was commenting on the racism issue happening in the US explained that despite being in the US for a few months, she has experienced racism from black Americans more than the white men.
Princess Shyngle added that she was called a “Black monkey†by these racist people and even ordered to go back to hometown.
These comments infuriated the actress who went ahead to advise those pointing fingers at white people for killing blacks to first of all change from their bad attitude.
A major at the Mississippi has drawn backlash to his remarks about the death of unarmed black man ( George Floyd ) in police custody in Minneapolis,Saying he didn’t see anything unreasonable with the arrest.
Hal Marx mayor of Petal about 90 miles southern of Jackson makes the remarks on twitter in Wednesday,but has since deleted the tweets saying he was misinterpreted.
“I didn’t see anything unreasonable, if you can say you can’t breath , you’re breathing. Marx wrote on Floyd arrest,captured on bystanders video that show a police office kneeling on the kneck of a 46 year old black man as he groaned I can’t breathe.
Marx continued “most likely the man died of overdose or heart attack. Video didn’t show his resistance that got him in this position .Police being crucified”.
The video showed Floyd going emotionless and unresponsive in a without pulse, he was later declared dead in a hospital about an hour ago.
Many twitter users began to criticize Marx for his comment in the wake of Floyd’s.
Marx went on to say that we do not know the full story of what happened before the video.it’s impossible to know why the police remained in that position. Again ,the officers were not restricting his breathing.
He has since received several Facebook comments criticizing what he tweeted.
Thus Major Hil Marx have a point in what he said or he is just being racist?
A New York based Nigerian identified as Jackson Ude has taken to his Twitter handle to share his experience with subtle racism in the United States of America detailing some unpleasant moments he had during a visit the Trump International Resort on Collins Avenue.
Following the ongoing uprising in the US on systemic racism and police brutality against people of color, many have taken to social media to share their experiences, encouraging each other to change the current administration.
Jackson Ude in a series of tweets said,
“In 2008, I went to Miami for a vacation and I decided to stay at the Trump International Resort on Collins Avenue. The fact that I decided to stay in that hotel as a black man was a big deal let alone staying in a suite. I answered the most embarrassing questions of my life!”
He castigates Trump for inflaming hate crimes because of his rhetoric
According to him In 2002, he went to a small town called Pittsburg, Kansas, and in front of a building was a bold sign: “Blacks keep off.†Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis Police Officer is certainly one of those who can put up such signs, boast about killing blacks. And he rolls with Trump.
In 2008, I went to Miami for a vacation and I decided to stay at the Trump International Resort on Collins Avenue. The fact that I decided to stay in that hotel as a black man was a big deal let alone staying in a suite. I answered the most embarrassing questions of my life!
“I still do not know or understand why someone is Abule Egba in Lagos, would want to educate me on why Trump is the best President the U.S has ever produced. I live in New York and I have had one or two things to do with the Trump organization. The experience is not worth it!” – said Jackson.
Two police officers in Paris have been suspended after being filmed using an extremely offensive racist slur.
The officers used a derogatory term for North Africans to mock a man they were arresting, and repeated a racist trope about him being unable to swim.
The footage went viral on social media and has sparked outrage across France.
Interior Minister Christophe Castaner also strongly criticised the officers involved, saying there was “no place” for racism in the police force.
He also announced that the IGPN internal police watchdog had been notified and would launch an investigation.
The police commissioner also tweeted: “With the approval of the interior minister, the chief of police Didier Lallemant has asked the head of the national police to suspend the two officers involved in uttering racial comments heard on a video circulated on social media on 26 April.”
The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday morning in the Seine-Saint-Denis suburb, north of Paris.
A man who was suspected of theft had jumped into the river Seine, reportedly to avoid arrest, and was then pulled out by the police.
As they escorted the man to the police van, one of the officers called the man the racist slur and added: “He doesn’t know how to swim.”
His colleague then laughed, and replied: “You should have tied a weight to his foot.”
