Club statement regarding alleged racism

[spursfan77]

It's more to do with the abuse Rudiger seems to be getting for daring to report what he heard in the first place. With many idiot fans calling him a 'liar' and saying he should apologise.

It's absolutely disgusting IMO. We need to create an environment where players feel comfortable to report incidents of racist abuse whether they are mistaken or not.

The abuse Rudiger has got will probably mean some players fail to report racist abuse for fear of being called out for lying if there is no evidence found.

I hope when we play them in a few weeks time his name is cheered by our fans when it’s read out in the stadium. That will really flummox them. Unfortunately he will just be booed by the idiots instead, which won’t help anyone, especially the players on the pitch.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Because a load of our more simplistic fans have been hammering him on twitter calling him a liar.

They should just shut that website down ffs.

 

[tototoner]

The news are reporting now that no evidence being found is such a terrible outcome, because black players now will be wary of reporting such incidents.

Surely this is the best outcome? that there's a pretty high chance he misheard and there was in fact no racism?

bad news sells

 

[Ionman34]

Did anyone hear Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on Talksport this morning? It actually prompted me to ring Talksport, but I was held in a queue for that long I actually gave up.

For those who didn't hear it, he effectively said that Black players will now be scared to speak up about racist comments because no evidence was found.

I don't know about anyone else, but this kind of comment really worries me, as he's effectively implying that there has been a cover up. The more worrying aspect of what I heard was that this wagon has been jumped on with virtually the entire debate being on how this was wrong, rather than the focus being on how due diligence was observed by the club and the law to attempt to glean facts rather than proceed on an unsubstantiated accusation.

Which brings me to the point of this post, the really scary part of this whole fiasco is the fact that the media have completely sensationalised the entire episode in order to sell papers, get internet clicks, get high priced phone calls and increase viewing figures. The exonorating investigation has been completely ignored with the media ploughing on with their narrative that there was a racist incident rather than none as proved.

The reason it scares me is because it gives a vehicle now for just about anyone to make an accusation, truthful or not, that effectively will be taken as the truth because the sensationalism will earn money.

How the club has acted and backed Rudiger is good, but the way the media have, and are acting should really be a major cause for concern. Effectively they are saying that any Black, or other ethnic minority, can make any racism claim and that it MUST be taken as the truth.

Is it only White people that have the burden of proof now? It seems to be the case as, despite absolutely no proof whatsoever being found, we still have to accept the accusation as fact because a Black player made it.

I'll stress here now, this is not an attack on Rudiger in any way, despite me having reservations about him as this isn't the 1st accusation he's made that no evidence could be found on, it's more an attack on the disgusting behaviour by our media who are using this as a money making vehicle. Rather than taking the investigation as being thorough and drawing a line under this particular non incident, they've effectively questioned the veracity of the investigation.

I won't even bother to speak about that pondscum Holt as we all know what he's using this for, his hatred of Tottenham is apparent.

I'm mindful that the press should have freedom, but they are taking the abuse of that freedom to new levels now.

 

[Stavrogin]

How the club has acted and backed Rudiger is good, but the way the media have, and are acting should really be a major cause for concern. Effectively they are saying that any Black, or other ethnic minority, can make any racism claim and that it MUST be taken as the truth.

Is it only White people that have the burden of proof now? It seems to be the case as, despite absolutely no proof whatsoever being found, we still have to accept the accusation as fact because a Black player made it.

I'm not sure that's the best way to look at it. Hasselbaink's point is that if players hear or think they hear racism, they may not report it because no proof may emerge and they'll be called liars and worse. And then the upshot is that whether it was or wasn't racism is irrelevant - the player will living with perceived racist abuse.

So you're right and he's right but it doesn't have to be a problem. It should be possible to say that Rudiger was right to respond as he did and others should do the same and not castigate him. Similarly when an accusation is made people shouldn't rush to judgement and even something is found to be true it should be possible not to smear an entire fanbase or club.

As you say the problem is the media. People will tell you that the UK media is an international joke and not fit for purpose. In reality it's just not fit for civilized society.

 

[worcestersauce]

It must not lead to black players not reporting incidents for fear of not being taken seriously but it does make the case that it should lead to a certain protocol in how they do it, making monkey gestures across the pitch to one of your teammates is bound to lead to sensationalist reporting particularly when as in this case there were no gestures.
I am aware that there are still people on twitter posting today that of course there was racist abuse because they kept announcing in the ground for it to stop, the lack of understanding in this case is enormous.
None of us want there to be racism in the grounds but we know there is racism on occasions so whatever we can do to make sure it doesn't happen let's do it. The problems arise when there is absolutely no evidence to support it, you can't accuse him of lying but by the same token you have to take the evidence, or lack of it, at face value and not question it.

 

[fridgemagnet]

One thing that seems stands out to me (It seems like this to me a white male of nearly 40) that black players and ex-players don't ever seem to be able agree on the course of a action that a player/team/officials/clubs/countries/federation takes when these incidents do occur.

Take the Bulgaria vs England game where the new protocol was acted out for the first time; the entire England team and backroom staff were united in what action they would take in the instance any racism was heard, Harry Kane as captain acted as agreed and in accordance with the protocol, post match the black players (who were there) the ones interviewed by press all came out that they felt they delt with it in the correct way, Ian Wright doing punditry for ITV concurred. Later Jolyeon Lescott came out on twitter and said Kane should've taken the team off the pitch straight away and was quite critical, I think there were others (ex players) saying similar.

Then there's been the Sterling incidents and this one, in the wake of them the amount of disagreement on how it should be handled where it seems black players and ex players disagree on the correct course of action. I believe that's a small part of the battle right there. (ideally there wouldn't exist a situation they need to agree on)

Sadly we live in a period where people seem to think you can say what you like because it goes unchecked and unpunished at a much higher level than Joe Bloggs on the high street.

Regarding this incident the press aren't focussing on the right thing again, Tottenham Hotspur have about a dozen black first team players six of whom took part in that game; Chelsea similar numbers, did any of those players react? Genuinely I don't know the answer as I missed the game, if Tottenham Hotspur had a racist fanbase* I'd expect many of them to be banging the door down requesting a transfer.

Riddle me this members of the media, how come none of you pipe up when Sonny is getting abused by a large section of idiots always when he plays against West Ham but I've heard the same Chant from Chelsea and a couple of others, don't claim it's not there because the TV companies actively try and mute them but you can still hear it.

Let me be clear; racism disgusts me anyway that there's still racism in 2020 appals and saddens me. The only way we get rid of it is by reporting them ourselves if you hear it at a game, if it's someone you know a friend/relative tell them to pack it in and if you hear them again tell them in no uncertain terms you will report them.

When did paying for a ticket to a football match turn from vocally raucously supporting your team to ticket holders thinking it gives them carte blanche to swear insults until black and blue at a field of grown ups?
I'm guilty of it by the way but it's been getting more and more hateful and bile fuelled year on year. It's embarrassing explaining to nieces and nephew some of what they hear.

*I don't doubt there's the odd moron somewhere as every club has them.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[Stamford]

One thing that seems stands out to me (It seems like this to me a white male of nearly 40) that black players and ex-players don't ever seem to be able agree on the course of a action that a player/team/officials/clubs/countries/federation takes when these incidents do occur.

Take the Bulgaria vs England game where the new protocol was acted out for the first time; the entire England team and backroom staff were united in what action they would take in the instance any racism was heard, Harry Kane as captain acted as agreed and in accordance with the protocol, post match the black players (who were there) the ones interviewed by press all came out that they felt they delt with it in the correct way, Ian Wright doing punditry for ITV concurred. Later Jolyeon Lescott came out on twitter and said Kane should've taken the team off the pitch straight away and was quite critical, I think there were others (ex players) saying similar.

Then there's been the Sterling incidents and this one, in the wake of them the amount of disagreement on how it should be handled where it seems black players and ex players disagree on the correct course of action. I believe that's a small part of the battle right there. (ideally there wouldn't exist a situation they need to agree on)

Sadly we live in a period where people seem to think you can say what you like because it goes unchecked and unpunished at a much higher level than Joe Bloggs on the high street.

Regarding this incident the press aren't focussing on the right thing again, Tottenham Hotspur have about a dozen black first team players six of whom took part in that game; Chelsea similar numbers, did any of those players react? Genuinely I don't know the answer as I missed the game, if Tottenham Hotspur had a racist fanbase* I'd expect many of them to be banging the door down requesting a transfer.

Riddle me this members of the media, how come none of you pipe up when Sonny is getting abused by a large section of idiots always when he plays against West Ham but I've heard the same Chant from Chelsea and a couple of others, don't claim it's not there because the TV companies actively try and mute them but you can still hear it.

Let me be clear; racism disgusts me anyway that there's still racism in 2020 appals and saddens me. The only way we get rid of it is by reporting them ourselves if you hear it at a game, if it's someone you know a friend/relative tell them to pack it in and if you hear them again tell them in no uncertain terms you will report them.

When did paying for a ticket to a football match turn from vocally raucously supporting your team to ticket holders thinking it gives them carte blanche to swear insults until black and blue at a field of grown ups?
I'm guilty of it by the way but it's been getting more and more hateful and bile fuelled year on year. It's embarrassing explaining to nieces and nephew some of what they hear.

*I don't doubt there's the odd moron somewhere as every club has them.

Sorry for the long post.

Really Good post mate. One thing I would add though is that I don't think all black players officials etc will agree on a course of action and neither is it their responsibility to do so.

 

[punkisback]

Really Good post mate. One thing I would add though is that I don't think all black players officials etc will agree on a course of action and neither is it their responsibility to do so.

That’s the problem. People make it into a black/white or them/us issue. It’s an issue that affects the whole of society and whatever race you identify as we should all combat it. With regards to the stance taken by players, people react in different ways, we can’t put the responsibility on black players to come up with a solution or consensus! People seem to take it personally when this investigation was called, accusations of the race card being player. They’re only attacking the racist part of the fan base not all fans.

 

[thelak]

That’s the problem. People make it into a black/white or them/us issue. It’s an issue that affects the whole of society and whatever race you identify as we should all combat it. With regards to the stance taken by players, people react in different ways, we can’t put the responsibility on black players to come up with a solution or consensus! People seem to take it personally when this investigation was called, accusations of the race card being player. They’re only attacking the racist part of the fan base not all fans.

honestly as a non white spurs fan I think the reason the fan base have taken this personally is

a) in general Spurs a re not a racist club and there is now a cloud from this. I can only speak for myself but in nearly 20 years going to games (albeit only a small % away) I’ve never heard anything I thought racially offensive and the general good vibes and niceness of the match going fans is one the reasons I love the club

b) it’s a Chelsea player and a club that are notoriously racist / offensive now having some sort of moral high ground because of this

 

[sxboy]

I hope when we play them in a few weeks time his name is cheered by our fans when it’s read out in the stadium. That will really flummox them. Unfortunately he will just be booed by the idiots instead, which won’t help anyone, especially the players on the pitch.

This is my big fear now. There will be some knobs heads who give him stick and theres no need.

I like to think he misheard it and i would have been so disappointed in our fans if anything had happened, i was very pleased to see it looks like nothing did. We've been put through enough by the press so i hope we dont need any more, we will be watched very carefully they will be desperate to find something to throw at us again.

We know what really happened, they know what really happened, i think he now knows what really happened, lets be better than they would be and come out of this looking good.

 

[Dougal]

I hope when we play them in a few weeks time his name is cheered by our fans when it’s read out in the stadium. That will really flummox them. Unfortunately he will just be booed by the idiots instead, which won’t help anyone, especially the players on the pitch.

Flummox them? You’ve flummoxed me. He overdid the reaction to Son to get him sent off and it worked. Whatever happened after that nobody knows for sure but he should get the usual reception saved for anyone who gets up to that kidology against our players.

Cheered by our fans, honestly...

 

[Ionman34]

Flummox them? You’ve flummoxed me. He overdid the reaction to Son to get him sent off and it worked. Whatever happened after that nobody knows for sure but he should get the usual reception saved for anyone who gets up to that kidology against our players.

Cheered by our fans, honestly...

He'll get booed, it's anyone's guess what he'll hear though...

 

[Dougal]

He'll get booed, it's anyone's guess what he'll hear though...

You don’t need to guess how it will be reported though.

 

[mightyspur]

You don’t need to guess how it will be reported though.

"Bitter Irishman boos black man"?

 

[Dougal]

"Bitter Irishman boos black man"?

I prefer ‘stout’ to ‘bitter’.

 

[mightyspur]

I prefer ‘stout’ to ‘bitter’.

Because you are also stout?

 

[Norgie]

Let me be clear; racism disgusts me anyway that there's still racism in 2020 appals and saddens me. The only way we get rid of it is by reporting them ourselves if you hear it at a game, if it's someone you know a friend/relative tell them to pack it in and if you hear them again tell them in no uncertain terms you will report them.

I honestly believe this is the only way we will ever get this out of society and the game, people have to stand up against it. Especially at football matches as the crowd should turn on those individuals or small pockets of idiots. No amount of bans/stadium bans/points deductions will stop it. It has to be done in the stands and in the streets.

 

[TottTommy]

Just because the club couldn’t find any evidence, doesn’t make the guy a liar. He could simply have been mistaken.

He possibly has issues understanding what he thinks he hears and what he actually hears, what i cannot understand is why one Chelsea fan was caught abusing Son almost immediately? It would suggest indeed that the club and MP have acted with total professionalism.

Rudiger Made Identical Allegations In Italy Charges Were Dropped Due To Lack Of Evidence - Harry Hotspur

Antonio Rudiger is no stranger to believing he was racially abused by opposition football fans. In areport from BBC dated November 18th 2017, Antonio made identical allegations of offensive monkey chants being aimed at him in a Champions League game versus Roma. The London side have a solid...

theboyhotspur.com

 

[TottTommy]

They should just shut that website down ffs.

Why?