Hey guys. I know we all want to leave it in the past and get on with it but it's obviously a hot topic right now. John Barnes spoke to sky news about it and had this to say - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0_kTX-K_34&feature=g-all-u&context=G2172f0eFAAAAAAAABAA He makes some excellent points about race, especially saying "if you don't understand race how can you understand racism?" Great man is Barnesy. Met him a couple of times and has always been brilliant with the kids and signed everything people asked him to.
He makes some great points on there, I'll embed the video for you so others can see. [video=youtube;U0_kTX-K_34]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0_kTX-K_34&feature=g-all-u&context=G2172f0eFAAAAAAAABAA[/video]
I have largely stayed out of this debate because of the emotive nature of it. What Barnes says here is spot on and echoes my own feelings on the matter; I am especially talking about overt and covert racism. There are many people who are still racist who just watch who and where they air their feelings, racism is not gone it is just largely hidden!
John Barnes believes Saurez Suarez's apology stated: ''I admitted to the commission that I said a word in Spanish once and only once. I told the panel members that I will not use it again on a football pitch in England. I never, ever used this word in a derogatory way and if it offends anyone then I want to apologise for that.'' Just because he speaks reasonably, it does not mean he speaks with reason.
Here we go again. I don't support or convict Suarez as I have no way of knowing how he meant what he said, which is key to the whole racist issue. Your quote can be seen as an admission of guilt by some or a cultural difference by others. The discussion will continue I'm sure.
robofleeds is a complete numpty and i call him on it. The AUTHOR of this thread merely highlighted what John barnes said... He nowhere said he beleived suarez or suarez's statements but you felt the need to have a dig... said dig reflects only on you sir. Barnes deals with the FACT that racism happens but you sir want to limit this back to one club and have a go. Clearly racism doesn't matter to this poster as he wants to use it to have a go. new definition of numpty. Barnes make a list of important points about the general rules of the sport and how people needs to be EDUCATED about race and racism. I don't actually agree with what he necessarally says about what race is as I am of the opinion everyone is a human being and hatred will use anything to abuse other people. the fact that barnes delat i nthe last 3 seconds of the above clip and said he heard from LFC people what their beleif was and then stated he didn't know one way or the other...
I can only imagine what certain so called fans posting on this site will comment on that photo. this could be your suarez incident!
re John Barnes, far too much intelligent info there for the average ignorant football supporter. What is race indeed, the human race is one, any others?
timmy5x highlighted something on another thread not very releavent but i thought i'd share http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/public...rrests-banning-orders/fbo-2010-11?view=Binary Championship team supported Leeds (all competitions) Total Arrests 149 Arrests at Home Matches 101 Arrests at Away Matches 48 Racist or Indecent chanting 1 oh oh.... let he who is without sin and all that. Lets not even go there if you read the full report you can see that this work from the home office shows that a lot of things happen at football matches. heaven forfend that LFC dealt with an incident the like of which was never seen before. I hope we all can keep in mind that everyone needs to see what barnes said as important. It goes on. Lots of things at every game and we all need to keep helping the police and game authorities making our sport an safer place to be.
If fancy dress of my youthhood idol (and still) causes offence then I'm going home (figuratively speaking).
