Martin Tyler urged to retire after 'racist' comment about Son Heung-min

[mawspurs]

Commentator Martin Tyler became embroiled in controversy as he came under fire for likening Son Heung-min's foul on Cody Gakpo to martial arts during Spurs' defeat to Liverpool

Source: Daily Star

 

[AnotherSpursFan]

How is that racist? My my

 

[Dennism]

Tyler hates Spurs and is always making derogatory comments about us. This hits new depths. At the very least he should apologise to Son. He should be aware of the huge racist abuse Son suffers and take this into account in what he says.

 

[Timbo Tottenham]

How is that racist? My my

Sorry, but it’s definitely racist. Was watching with friends and all thought the same thing at the time.

 

[Japhet]

Knew that comment would be picked up on the moment he said it.

 

[Locotoro]

How is that racist? My my

He was called out as being racist because when another player did the same move he referred to it as a rugby tackle but Son's was martial arts.

 

[Gassin's finest]

2 dinosaurs in Tyler and Souness retiring on the same weekend? Did a meteor hit?

 

[spursfan77]

Knew that comment would be picked up on the moment he said it.

He’s past his sell by date and needs moving on. Now the mask has slipped maybe it will give Sky the reason to get rid at the end of the season. Let’s see if there is an apology, I’m not holding my breath.

 

[Fredo]

Sorry, but it’s definitely racist. Was watching with friends and all thought the same thing at the time.

You all must be fun at parties?

 

[Graham Minshall]

You all must be fun at parties?

They were watching in an echo chamber.

 

[h2005]

Never entered my head that that would be racist. I’d be interested to hear the take of any Asian fans here on whether they see it as racist.

 

[thecook]

Was mentioned in the match thread and on twitter at the time. Wondered if it would be picked up on in this morning's news. Stupid comment to make at best.

 

[Timbo Tottenham]

Was mentioned in the match thread and on twitter at the time. Wondered if it would be picked up on in this morning's news. Stupid comment to make at best.

Agree. I doubt there was racist intent, but those that can’t see how it could be perceived as racist are just being wilfully ignorant.

 

[BorisLloris]

A non demeaning comment on a celebrated part of someone’s culture becoming racism is frankly quite a sad position to find ourselves in. For those that did not find the comment to be racist to be racist themselves is just plain divisive. Live and let live seems a long time dead

 

[WorcesterTHFC]

He’s past his sell by date and needs moving on. Now the mask has slipped maybe it will give Sky the reason to get rid at the end of the season. Let’s see if there is an apology, I’m not holding my breath.

Haven't some people been saying for several years that he needs to call it a day? Sports commentators have finite shelf lives, just like people in any other occupation.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Depends if he was doing the Father Ted thing, with a lampshade and the eyes, while he said it...

"I hear you're a racist now Martin. Is that Sky Sports official line? Only between watching the football and having a cup of tea at halftime, I'm not sure I can squeeze it in."

 

[Kirito]

In most Korean schools Tae Kwon Do is taught, similar to how we have PE in English schools, so there is truth to the Asian stereotype around martial arts.

Its a silly comment but calling it racist and trying to cancel someone is potentially a bigger problem. Calm down and evaluate.

 

[PLTuck]

Did he say the same thing when Jota kicked skipp in the head?

 

[Colonel_Klinck]

He should have been retired years ago for that dreadful "and its live" crap he spouts before every game.

 

[Timbo Tottenham]

A non demeaning comment on a celebrated part of someone’s culture becoming racism is frankly quite a sad position to find ourselves in. For those that did not find the comment to be racist to be racist themselves is just plain divisive. Live and let live seems a long time dead

To explain my pov, I agree that I don’t think that there was any racist intent. But the reason that it could be perceived as racist is because I can’t think of a martial art that South Korea is famous for.

Therefore it comes across as a generalisation about a player from Asia.

edit: to add. I think Sky’s response of reminding him of the sensitivities of language is correct, he deffo doesn’t need to be cancelled!

It is possible to still have grown up conversations about these topics without going to either extreme.