Cameroon's Benoit Assou-Ekotto explains France stance

[BringBack_leGin]

I wouldn't argue with any of this, apart from your first sentence.
You didn't say his action last night was "justified", but there might be a "context" to "mitigate" it.
Total cobblers really. It was a shocking lack of respect to a teammate and deserves to be treated as such. Probably his last act as an international player.

So if his teammate criticised his actually very good cross and said 'you fucking shitbag, play the ****ing ball to me, no wonder we're fucking out of the world cup with a **** like you at left back', and let's face it, footballers aren't exactly known for their clean use of language, there is no mitigation for Ekotto's actions?

 

[Mustard]

Love it.

You are now making up whole scenarios in your head to defend the clown.

Can you not see why this is funny considering your original post having a pop at someone who rightly said his actions were a disgrace.

 

[Mullers]

Sorry but this is NOT correct.
I have lived in France for many a year, I have a lot of French friends & colleagues of various races and beliefs and whilst there is ALWAYS a vocal minority who are racist in any country (and yes in our current climate it does seem a little more vocal than we would like), the vast majority of French poeple I know and have been around dislike any player who is simply deemed crap, no matter what colour.

If Black or Muslim player has a bad game they are given as much stick as anyone else.

That's not to say that BAE has not witnessed racism, but its rather a large sweeping statement.

Ok, but that doesn't prove that he is not correct.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Love it.

You are now making up whole scenarios in your head to defend the clown.

Can you not see why this is funny considering your original post having a pop at someone who rightly said his actions were a disgrace.

Well, yes, providing a hypothetical situation to ask a question very much requires making up a scenario. I didn't say that had happened, I didn't say that it was even likely, I just asked if, in those circumstances, Ekotto reacted as he did, would there be no mitigation at all for it?

I shall leave you be now, the sort of poster who describes one of our better players of the past decade as a clown is certainly not the sort of poster I wish to engage with on any level.

 

[Mustard]

Lol.

So much love for ekotto it blinds you.

Fare thee well Le GIn.

 

[wosH]

I never said it was justified, I suggested that there's probably a context which would mitigate his action, and that condemning it as disgraceful is over the top. People make mistakes. It was a heated and emotional situation, players are pumped up during games anyway and when they're losing 4-0 on the biggest stage, and probably Ekotto's last chance to play on that stage given his age, that emotional situation is magnified. Is Zidane also a disgrace for ending his career with a far worse headbutt on an even larger stage? Or did he make a mistake, but it's understandable because Materazzi had just called his sister a whore (or whatever it was)?

As for Ekotto being an average player with a shit attitude, I bet you were delighted with the upgrade that was Danny Rose last season eh? Ekotto's last season with us, before the loan, was injury hit and he underperformed (though he had fuck all protection in front of him from Dempsey/ Sigurdsson once Bale had moved away from the left), but the previous four seasons under Harry he was a huge (and consistent) part of the reason why we went from 2 points from 8 games to finishing 4th twice in three years. He may never have been a world beater (though he did have some absolutely wonderful games) but he all in all was very good for us and those who ignore that need to have a look at every player in that position since and for roughly 20 years before an rething things.

Nowhere have I mentioned anything about his playing abilities. That discussion is completely and utter irrelevant here. His, and Zidanes btw, actions are a disgrace on a football pitch, no matter the provocations. None can be excused.

 

[vigospur]

So if his teammate criticised his actually very good cross and said 'you fucking shitbag, play the ****ing ball to me, no wonder we're fucking out of the world cup with a **** like you at left back', and let's face it, footballers aren't exactly known for their clean use of language, there is no mitigation for Ekotto's actions?

No mitigation for a headbutt. Apologies for describing your argument as cobblers by the way.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Nowhere have I mentioned anything about his playing abilities. That discussion is completely and utter irrelevant here. His, and Zidanes btw, actions are a disgrace on a football pitch, no matter the provocations. None can be excused.

You might notice that a quoted another poster too, one who did criticise his abilities.

No mitigation for a headbutt. Apologies for describing your argument as cobblers by the way.

Fair enough, you both find it inexcusable, I disagree though. i think all but the most heinous actions can be mitigated by context. Not completely excused, but mitigated.

 

[Mustard]

I'd love to hear the case for Song.

 

[Riandor]

Ok, but that doesn't prove that he is not correct.

When he inplies that the majority or all of France thinks this way, then yes it kinda does.

And IF he has issue with certain people in France behaving this way, then its letting the racists win.

Frankly I am more likely to believe that he chose Cameroon because he felt he would get more play time, what with Evra being first choice.

I am not saying there are not racist people in France, there are and it does have a strong issue with the French/Algerian faculty for example, but I don't remember anyone in France celebrating only the white players when France won the WC in 1998 or the Euros in 2000 for example. On top I am sure Benny has seen and heard plenty of Racism, I just take issue with a blanket statement.

 

[Mullers]

When he inplies that the majority or all of France thinks this way, then yes it kinda does.

And IF he has issue with certain people in France behaving this way, then its letting the racists win.

Frankly I am more likely to believe that he chose Cameroon because he felt he would get more play time, what with Evra being first choice.

I am not saying there are not racist people in France, there are and it does have a strong issue with the French/Algerian faculty for example, but I don't remember anyone in France celebrating only the white players when France won the WC in 1998 or the Euros in 2000 for example. On top I am sure Benny has seen and heard plenty of Racism, I just take issue with a blanket statement.

No it doesn't.
You speak of your experience, while it shouldn't be discounted it doesn't prove his statement is untrue, experiences are different for everybody.

 

[Coyboy]

We’ve heard Assou-Ekotto talk at greater length about France and how he feels first or second generation immigrants are treated in France and how he finds London and England a much more tolerant place.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/may/11/assou-ekotto-bassong-france-race-quotas

I read this the other day: a good, enlightening read. The whole ‘every country has racism’ is just a pointless comment, however true, as it ignores the nuances and particular problems of each country.

http://africasacountry.com/the-blood-of-the-impure/

 

[Locotoro]

Can be seen here: https://vine.co/v/MTWUwYOgeYi

Disgraceful.

I'm loving the hair action! I wonder what he uses to get that kind of bounce

 

[Jadon Benjamin]

I'm sorry, there's no place for race and religon debates in football period. Leave it for politicians and fanatics.

 

[WalkerboyUK]

How did he not receive a red card for that?? I presume ref wasn't facing as the ball wasn't there...

 

[jackstar]

Well one things for certain he's going to be french now…(to the Cameroonian fans).

I think it's a big statement to make and clearly won't go down well with many in France, but he's a relatively intelligent bloke (relative to football players of course…) and he's clearly trying to make a point which he believes in.

Le Pen II makes me think that his point isn't entirely a figment of his imagination...