Bukayo Saka thanks Spurs fans for classy gesture during north London derby

[LeSoupeKitchen]

Even ignoring the racism angle he's a teenager put into a tough position while serving for his - our - country in a major final, a burden he will carry for the rest of his life.

Imagine how heartening it must be for him that even his team's greatest rivals can find it in themselves to "forgive" (not that there's anything to forgive) him and express support/gratitude.

I have no issues admitting I teared up at that moment during today's game.

Exactly. Completely aside from what he went through he deserves respect from England supporters in the crowd for his contribution to such a great Euros and the courage to take the pen.

Would any England fan have issues applauding him if he'd scored and we'd won the Euros?

 

[SpursMadDave]

I was there, I gave them lad some support. Maybe I'm not a 'real' Spurs fan for thinking a teenager who got the abuse he did deserves a little support whoever he plays for?
It showed some real class imo.

 

[Japhet]

applauding an Arsenal player is just wrong

Some things are bigger and more important than football, like humanity for instance. If you don't understand that you should keep your childish opinions to yourself. It was an opportunity for a large number of Spurs fans to show that they 'get it'. You obviously don't. The setting of a North London derby between fierce rivals, with no Arsenal fans present, makes the statement so much stronger too.

 

[Shadydan]

It could help result in Ralph not being labelled as a racist enabler or straight racist. Obviously.

Not really helpful though is it? by you saying that it comes across as you stoking the flames and wanting to bait people, is it your intention to cause an argument?

 

[thelak]

applauding an Arsenal player is just wrong

he was applauded as a human

Respect to all that did

 

[mightyspur]

what don't you understand? What happened to the lad was wrong I am not condoning that but I don't feel the need or want to applaud him when he is playing for them nothing to do with Spurs or our support -

There's a time and a place for football tribalism and that moment was nothing to do with football rivalry. It was us as humans showing solidarity with another human.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Old people, eh? You can't beat 'em.


Pity.

 

[E17yid]

A lovely touch and I was pleased at the reception. However, I can’t get behind this idea that we should applaud rival players just because they’ve played for England and lost in a final, I mean, wtf? Not for me. I think the opposite, we should be using that to psychologically torment them to put them off their game. They get compensated very handsomely for such stuff

Giving him a standing ovation as a sign of solidarity for him being racially abused is absolutely fine, obviously, as that transcends football.

 

[Roy's Racers]

I don’t post much - lurk mainly - but if you can’t see that some issues in life are bigger than sport and sporting rivalries, I don’t know what to tell you.

Absolutely. It was a great gesture by our fans. Appreciation and support can go a long way for any sportsman.

We've had a former player who missed a high-profile penalty at a previous Euros, come back to lead the national team and with the nations backing, generated a team spirit that took us further then we have for a longtime. If Saka is in next year's World Cup squad. I want him to know and be reminded that he has my support even if he does play for the Woolwich.

 

[Buggsy61]

Proud of our supporters yesterday for this one off gesture, as no one should have to undergo what he did just for missing a penalty.
He seems like a good sort too, and a talented player. One of the few players of theirs who maintained a high standard of performance during their poor season last year.

 

[Navin R Johnson]

he is an Arsenal player no way should Spurs supporters applaud him

Speaking as an outsider, what do you think of the human race?

 

[mattdefoe]

Completely different behaviour to the reaction when Becks got sent off in 98

 

[tcyrus]

it was pure class .

 

[mawspurs]

I was proud that our fans rose above the rivalry to acknowledge what he had been through and support him for a moment. It showed real class.

 

[WalkerboyUK]

At the end of the day he’s a young human being, who is out there just doing his job.
The abuse he received for missing a penalty was abhorrent and completely unacceptable.
I sort of get why someone would say “he’s a gooner, I’ll never applaud one of their players”, but sometimes the rose tinted spectacles or blinkers just need to be removed.

 

[Rocksuperstar]

 

[Dr Know]

applauding an Arsenal player is just wrong

That’s were you’re looking at it the wrong way. The fans weren’t applauding an Arsenal fan, they were applauding an English player who had a tortured time after representing his country.

 

[ohtottenham!]

what don't you understand? What happened to the lad was wrong I am not condoning that but I don't feel the need or want to applaud him when he is playing for them nothing to do with Spurs or our support -

Well, it was a powerful message of expression in support of unity and against racism. It was more meaningful because of the context of a NLD. It was great to see.

Saka expressed his gratitude for the support given to him by rival fans. He was doing that as a human being first, not as a representative of Arsenal football club.

If one has the perspective that a football rivalry trumps all other considerations, it really needs to be reconsidered itself.

 

[Dr Know]

Not for the reason he was applauded. Honestly are you really that stupid?

I completely disagree with Ralph but having an opinion does not make him stupid, come on man, we’re all Spurs here ?

 

[Gingernut]

Completely different behaviour to the reaction when Becks got sent off in 98

I remember that - it was absolutely horrific