Mboyo

Lots of argument and hyperbole and too little fact. His jail term seems to indicate that his role in the crime was not seen as being of the most grave in terms of participation or leadership. Do any of you have the details of the crime, his associates and their related sentences? I totally agree that his crime was both stupid and appalling and, had it been one of my children then I would be hard-pushed to show the viewpoint that detachment allows me; but that is exactly why we have a justice and rehabilitation system. Had he have been active in such activities (or less severe, as in the case of Marlon King) whilst an adult and earning his living in this profession then I would certainly have objected to his employment, but he isn't and he seems to have moved on. Papers issued on the continent are a whole different ball-game and not something I would lose sleep over; especially not knowing the detail. I will be interested to see how some react if/when he signs; will it be another boycott/march debacle or will a few goals (and cheaper wages/fees ) sweeten the pill curing the moral indignation?

Perhaps someone can recommend a role in society /employment this rehabilitated guy should follow?

 

We've officially gone full circle!

 

I lived in Brussels for 10 years...


I'm not black either if you were wondering but that whole country is filled with racists and discrimination. It was almost inevitable with the way it was founded. The different ethnicities don't mix, arabs hate the africans and vice versa, the flemish speaking hate the french speaking and vice versa, the whites hate the arabs and vice versa... it's a real ****ing mess.

 

Ive looked a lot on french newspapers but none seem to have details about his involvement. What is said though is that his sentence was 7 years (only served 4 I think) but that despite his age, the severity of the crime meant he was judged as an 18 year old.

 

I've looked all over Google (searching for the appropriate French terms) and have found no more details of the case than the bare facts reported in news stories since he became a famous footballer. Considering he was a minor, I'd say the sentence of seven years (three of which were suspended) WAS quite a long one, and indicative that he was very involved. But I admit I don't know Belgian law.

[Edit: Posted this before seeing Circa's post above. Hadn't seen the bit about the severity of the crime.]

 

Yeh I found it here

"La gravité des faits entraîne son renvoi, alors qu’il n’a que 17 ans, devant les juridictions pour adultes "

http://archives.lesoir.be/petit-pele-de-la-prison-a-l-8217-elite-du-foot_t-20090307-00M1W1.html


it's a little weird though because when I look at stuff from Belgium they almost seem to admire him. I don't know what to make of him/it. Almost like the fairy tale story of a ex rapist thug turned Belgium international.

Completely different reaction it seems, they all mention his crime but no one seems to make a fuss about it and instead focus on his reinvention and ability to go from prison to football (rather than the more common other way round)

 

I ain't cheering for a rapist even if he scores 100 goals.

Especially when sat next to my two Nieces who are around the same age in question. And having paid nearly £700 for 3 season passes.

Sign him and il **** off and watch Scarborough .

At 16 I had enough morals to know rape was wrong. Very bloody wrong.

There's crime....and then there's crime.

 

An admirable moral stance, but I think I'll take my chances following the Tigers.

The lad made a mistake over a decade ago that's he's trying to put behind him through playing football. If he does that by scoring goals for us, I'm more than happy to let him. I'd be very surprised if people boycotted the club because of him signing, especially if he turns out to be a top player.

Of course, if he flops, we'll have to kick the rapey bastard out on his arse.

 

I agree with the sentiment and would be much less forgiving of any British young lad who should know better. But I don't know enough about the Congo to pass judgment on someone where rape is seen as a tool of war and is far too common. In many military action it is actively encouraged by senior soldiers. I am just happy for anyone that manages to escape some of these hell holes in Africa. Yes he was in Belgium at the time but I can't imagine what sort of upbringing he may have had.

 

If he was a gang member who murdered another gang member at 16 people probably wouldn't be making half the fuss. In my opinion, murder is a lot worse than rape, incomparably worse.

OLM's post about the Belgian chap being a bit naughty with his step daughter highlights Circa's point that Belgian authorities are very racist. In which case, whatever 'facts' are published about te crime in question are likely to be highly exaggerated as well.

You are very different at 16, there are things I did or would have done at that age without thinking it was that wrong, which I am now ashamed to think I would have done those things. And I grew up in a very prosperous area, compared to Mboyo who grew up in a war zone, probably watching his own family and friends be subjected to the very crime he committed.

 

It's a sad state of affairs that some countries actively encourage it, but I'd hope as a professional footballer at a pretty successful club has sorted his mindset out.

 

What a load of liberal bollocks

 

So your solution would be to...what? See that's twice you've condemned people by calling them liberal. Civil Liberty is a vital part of our society; it defines who we are and what we are able to do. Without it, we'd be completely ****ed. You don't have to be liberal in a political sense to understand the concept of free speech.

You're clearly happy with how the country, or indeed the World, is being run. Because if you weren't, you'd be able to distinguish the difference between being a soft hippy **** and somebody who actively wants a drastic change to the (flawed) society we live in.

 

Liberal bollocks again!

Attempts to justify a gang rape due to 'upbringing' is classic liberal bollocks!

The ****e you have spouted with regards to this, liberal bollocks!

Your entire belief system = liberal bollocks.

Now why don't you just jog on and hug a fooking tree whilst eating organic yoghurt in a mohair jumper?

 

You would never get over it if it happened to your daughter, nor forgive those who did it...

And no way would you then cheer him on. Not ever.

Just because it happened
to be someone else's daughter doesn't change how I feel.

Course no one has to agree.

And I can't believe the Allams would have him here anyway..

 

Re: Mboyo. Rumoured that Swansea are our biggest rivals in signing him but it looks as if they are signing wiflried bony instead. Cracking buy for them.

 

Dull Daily mention it again that City have reservations over it.

 

At last someone who's not trying to justify the gang rape of a child

 

I'm not trying to justify gang rape you berk; it's vile no matter which social class you come from. Where have I said that any kind of rape is fine?

My point (which I've made clearly and you are overlooking) is that people who are trying to move on from a mistake they've made should be allowed to do so. Clearly their actions aren't going to be forgiven by some, nor will they be forgotten, but how on Earth can you expect a person to build a new life if they're constantly dragged back by a mistake they made over a decade ago? They want to move on, fine: if that's through playing football, community work, donating to charity, whatever, the person is trying to show that they don't want to be defined by their actions. The way some people are talking about him on here, suggests that he's still committing the same crimes he did as a youth.

Liberal bollocks would be "**** all the laws, let's all sit on the grass, suck each other off and listen to the Lighthouse family." I'm actually an atheist, so a lot of what you perceive my belief system to be (along with pretty much all of your tripe of a contribution to this debate) is, in my opinion, wrong. You're probably the type of **** who starts on people in town because they knocked into you in a busy pub, instead of waiting to be apologised to and being bought a pint. I think it's fair to say that when you're dealing with people with a jaded, constrictive view like yours, you can't really get your point across without sounding a little 'out there' . I mean you wouldn't try and teach a dog trigonometry, so why should I bother trying to help you see from my point of view? I'm probably half your age (if you aren't over 45 then I despair if this is your attitude towards society) guessing by your Draconian stance on this and I'm much, much smarter than you. Because I actually understand your viewpoint; I don't have to agree with it to understand it. I understand the Holocaust, why it happened and the processes that made it so horrific, but I don't agree with any of it. It doesn't seem like you're trying to understand both sides of the argument, which is what debating stuff is all about, it just seems like you're trying to tell people your way of thinking is the right one, which is a crock of ****e.

If you're that much against freedom of speech (which judging by your responses so far, you perceive as a threat to your lifestyle), might I suggest not using the Internet, probably the last free medium of public information?