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Monday 12 July 2021

Taking The Knee - Right All Along

In the end, it was too big an ask: England’s players gave their all, but it was not enough to secure a first major men’s trophy since 1966, as Roberto Mancini urged Italy over the line in another of those penalty shoot-outs. This morning, even our free and fearless press, so often hostile in the part to the national team, its players, and especially its managers, was sympathetic. But the actions of many alleged England “fans” was not.


As if trashing Leicester Square and other areas of central London, the ticketless forcing their way into Wembley Stadium, and more displays of gratuitous violence was not enough cretinous behaviour for one evening, after Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka missed spot kicks during that penalty shoot-out, out came the racist abuse.


The FA was unequivocal in its condemnation, telling that it was “appalled” and adding “We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team … We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible”. Then came a telling coda.


We will continue to do everything we can to stamp discrimination out of the game, but we implore government to act quickly and bring in the appropriate legislation so this abuse has real life consequences”. Hello Government. And talking of Government, both alleged Prime Minister Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson and his Benidorm holiday rep Home Secretary Priti Patel, had something to say about that racist abuse.

Bozo harrumphed “This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media. Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves”. Ms Patel added “I am disgusted that [England] players who have given so much for our country this summer have been subject to vile racist abuse on social media. It has no place in our country and I back the police to hold those responsible accountable”.


The problem here was that both of these less than totally august individuals had already excused the racist boo-boys by telling them it was fine to boo when the England team took the knee before kick-off. It was a dangerously ambiguous stance, and the further England advanced at Euro2020, the more unsustainable it became. Bozo and Ms Patel wanted to please everyone. But you don’t play that game with racist bigots.

Because that empowers the pond life to abuse England’s black footballers, to tell them that, providing they are successful, and while they keep putting away the penalties, that they are OK to play for England, and call themselves English, but then, as soon as they miss a spot kick, tell them that they are no longer English. And worse.


England’s players carried on taking the knee. Gareth Southgate continued to back them. Yesterday evening, Italy’s players took the knee, too. What happened after the penalty shoot-out shows why they did it, and that they are right to keep on doing it..

As Musa Okwonga put it, “Hate is a strong word. But the racist relying on black English footballers to bring them glory as if they were their servants, then turning on them as soon as they fell short of their dreams, have my deepest contempt”.

Tackling racism requires leadership. Southgate is showing it. And Bozo is not.


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12 comments:

J said...

Johnson and Patel both told the fans they could be racist by saying they could boo an anti-racist gesture... that they are now complaining that the fans are being racist is some fcuking hypocrisy.

The rate they are sturring up neo-fash nationalist pro-racist shit, how long will it be before they end up losing control of their own creation?

Anonymous said...

After the assassination of President Kennedy, Malcolm X said, "Chickens are coming home to roost." By which he meant the murder was a direct result of a society taken down a path of insanity by its Establishment. A path it continues to take.

This country is on the same lunatic path and injected with the same cultural poison. This time, through the trivia of football. Next time, some other dilutant.

AND THERE WILL BE A NEXT TIME. NOTHING IS MORE CERTAIN.

Anonymous said...

Football always was a game for low grade people and the antics of the "supporters" highlights that. Now, let's wait for the massive Covid spike as a result of this circus, shall we?

AndyC said...

Good to see worthless creep Darren Grimes getting a roasting today for his pathetic dig at Marcus Rashford, a brilliant young sportsman who has achieved more in his short life, on and off the field, than his detractors will manage in their whole lives.

Rosie said...

ell said Tim. I feel ashamed opf football fans and proud of Southgate and the team. Have written on local political blogs about the behaviour of Natalie Elphicke MP.I have asked our MP in Hastings, Sally Ann Hart if she is a member of Elphick's conservative What's App Group, as Dover and Deal is not far away from us, and if she is prepared to publicly condemn Elphicke's comment about marcus rashford. Hart has already exposed her racist views overasylum seekers.

gillette said...

Agree, but please don't refer to Ugly Patel as a Benidorm holiday rep. All the Benidorm reps I know are lovely people. Welcoming, inclusive and non judgemental. And I know quite a few.

Anonymous said...

12:15.

That you Bullingdon Bozo?

gillette said...

Is that reply to me? If so what do you mean

gillette said...

Speak for yourself. Presumably you are not aware of the humanitarian activities of some players, and Prince George must be low grade according to your reasoning

Bwana_Mrefu said...

Seems the public agree too. Look at the likes and retweets racking on Tyrone Mings response to the Patel statement
https://twitter.com/OfficialTM_3/status/1414655312074784785

Anonymous said...

19:34.

What part of "12:15" is difficult to read?

gillette said...

Well it wasn't immediately obvious, given that it appeared to be a reply to mine. Also putting the time in the box was confusing. Or certainly in my browser on my phone anyway.