guiltyparty
Well-Known Member
- Sep 21, 2005
- 9,023
- 13,524
Friend of mine wrote this blog on last night. Sounds lovely
http://joeminihane.com/2013/04/05/on-encountering-racism-at-white-hart-lane/
I’ve been going to White Hart Lane regularly ever since I’ve been able to afford it. These days that stretches to roughly a match every month, always with my Dad. League games, cup games, European games. I generally always sit in the Park Lane end, the bit behind the goal that can be politely described as ‘vibrant’.
Normally, this vibrancy stretches to a few blokes swearing every other word and occasionally the odd supporter clearly off their face on cocaine mouthing off about the opposition, usually to themselves. But last night, during the Europa League game against Basel, I encountered racism at White Hart Lane for the first time.
With the game winding to a close, the feeling of agitation at an average performance was all around. Most of the vitriol was being directed at Emmanuel Adebayor and William Gallas, both of whom had had poor games. Some bemoaned their average play. Others felt the the need to point out their past as Arsenal players.
One such person was the guy sitting directly behind me. With Gareth Bale receiving treatment, he launched into a lengthy tirade to the man next to him about both players, culminating with the line, “…it’s about time we got rid of those black Arsenal c**ts.”
At this point, I turned to face him and said I didn’t care for him using racist language. Rather than apologise, I was told to, “Mind my own facking business”, before being reminded that he wasn’t talking to me in the first place.
This is the first time I’ve ever been party to racism at White Hart Lane. I decided to walk out, telling the nearest steward the guy’s seat name while he stood and loudly denounced me as a ‘mug’. I got pretty wound up and started shouting to anyone who’d listen that there was a racist in our midst. Perhaps I should have stayed calm, but I find it hard unbelievable that people think it’s acceptable to focus on a person’s skin colour and take that as some kind of weakness. It’s disgusting.
I didn’t wait to see if the steward approached the guy and I doubt I’ll ever find out. I’ve tweeted the club three times about the incident and sent them an email, but imagine they’ll be powerless to do anything. That upsets me more than anything – that people can still get away with this crap.
At a time when racism in the game feels inescapable, I left White Hart Lane last night inconsolable. I don’t want to share my beloved Tottenham with this guy or any other racist for that matter. They have no place in civilised society.
http://joeminihane.com/2013/04/05/on-encountering-racism-at-white-hart-lane/
I’ve been going to White Hart Lane regularly ever since I’ve been able to afford it. These days that stretches to roughly a match every month, always with my Dad. League games, cup games, European games. I generally always sit in the Park Lane end, the bit behind the goal that can be politely described as ‘vibrant’.
Normally, this vibrancy stretches to a few blokes swearing every other word and occasionally the odd supporter clearly off their face on cocaine mouthing off about the opposition, usually to themselves. But last night, during the Europa League game against Basel, I encountered racism at White Hart Lane for the first time.
With the game winding to a close, the feeling of agitation at an average performance was all around. Most of the vitriol was being directed at Emmanuel Adebayor and William Gallas, both of whom had had poor games. Some bemoaned their average play. Others felt the the need to point out their past as Arsenal players.
One such person was the guy sitting directly behind me. With Gareth Bale receiving treatment, he launched into a lengthy tirade to the man next to him about both players, culminating with the line, “…it’s about time we got rid of those black Arsenal c**ts.”
At this point, I turned to face him and said I didn’t care for him using racist language. Rather than apologise, I was told to, “Mind my own facking business”, before being reminded that he wasn’t talking to me in the first place.
This is the first time I’ve ever been party to racism at White Hart Lane. I decided to walk out, telling the nearest steward the guy’s seat name while he stood and loudly denounced me as a ‘mug’. I got pretty wound up and started shouting to anyone who’d listen that there was a racist in our midst. Perhaps I should have stayed calm, but I find it hard unbelievable that people think it’s acceptable to focus on a person’s skin colour and take that as some kind of weakness. It’s disgusting.
I didn’t wait to see if the steward approached the guy and I doubt I’ll ever find out. I’ve tweeted the club three times about the incident and sent them an email, but imagine they’ll be powerless to do anything. That upsets me more than anything – that people can still get away with this crap.
At a time when racism in the game feels inescapable, I left White Hart Lane last night inconsolable. I don’t want to share my beloved Tottenham with this guy or any other racist for that matter. They have no place in civilised society.
