PFA chief slams awards comic for repeated slurs
Source: AFP |
May 1, 2013, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
PROFESSIONAL Footballers' Association Chairman Clarke Carlisle admits his organization made a big mistake by hiring controversial comedian Reginald D. Hunter to perform at their high-profile awards ceremony.
Hunter, a black comedian from the United States, stunned an audience made up of leading Premier League stars and players from the lower leagues as he repeatedly used the word "nigger" during his performance at the Grosvenor House hotel on Sunday.
Racism in football has become a major issue over the last two years, with Chelsea defender John Terry and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez both receiving bans for racial abuse.
Northampton defender Carlisle is one of a number of players who has campaigned tirelessly to try to eradicate racism from the game, and although he refused to criticize Hunter's act, he admits it was a major error to hire the American for the event, which honored Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale for winning both the senior and young player of the year awards.
"I thought we made a huge mistake," Carlisle said. "I thought with everything that we have gone through over the last few years, using a comedian of his type was a bad error in judgement.
"I was embarrassed sat up there throughout and I want to apologize unreservedly to the footballing community that was present."
Hunter's use of the n-word, in addition to jokes about Jews and women, did not go down well with some members of the audience.
Lord Ouseley, chairman of the anti-racism group Kick it Out, responded to the controversy by demanding the PFA explain why Hunter was selected. "It sounds to me that the PFA needs to answer questions about how they booked this person and why they booked this person," Lord Ouseley told the Telegraph.
"I'm surprised there wasn't a mass walkout. It almost begs the question, 'Why does Kick It Out bother?'"
Hunter, a black comedian from the United States, stunned an audience made up of leading Premier League stars and players from the lower leagues as he repeatedly used the word "nigger" during his performance at the Grosvenor House hotel on Sunday.
Racism in football has become a major issue over the last two years, with Chelsea defender John Terry and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez both receiving bans for racial abuse.
Northampton defender Carlisle is one of a number of players who has campaigned tirelessly to try to eradicate racism from the game, and although he refused to criticize Hunter's act, he admits it was a major error to hire the American for the event, which honored Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale for winning both the senior and young player of the year awards.
"I thought we made a huge mistake," Carlisle said. "I thought with everything that we have gone through over the last few years, using a comedian of his type was a bad error in judgement.
"I was embarrassed sat up there throughout and I want to apologize unreservedly to the footballing community that was present."
Hunter's use of the n-word, in addition to jokes about Jews and women, did not go down well with some members of the audience.
Lord Ouseley, chairman of the anti-racism group Kick it Out, responded to the controversy by demanding the PFA explain why Hunter was selected. "It sounds to me that the PFA needs to answer questions about how they booked this person and why they booked this person," Lord Ouseley told the Telegraph.
"I'm surprised there wasn't a mass walkout. It almost begs the question, 'Why does Kick It Out bother?'"
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