'To be abused purely because of the colour of your skin is absolutely shocking' - Maro Itoje stunned by abuse he witnessed at football match
Maro Itoje admires the conduct of England footballers Raheem Sterling and Danny Rose in the face of racial abuse from fans.
The pair were subjected to discriminatory chanting during last month’s 5-1 Euro 2020 qualifying win in Montenegro to ignite debate over how best to tackle the issue amid further high-profile incidents, including one involving Moise Kean of Juventus.
England and Saracens lock Itoje, who will start Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup semi-final against Munster at Allianz Park, has called for decisive action to be taken.
“I feel for those players. They didn’t cause any harm to anyone and didn’t aggravate anyone,” said Itoje, who revealed he has never been racially abused in his sport.
“To be abused purely because of the colour of your skin is absolutely shocking. It’s horrible and they’ve all handled themselves in a very dignified, very elegant way.
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“They’re a credit to themselves and they’re a credit to the whole of the black community. All of us in different sports are extremely proud because what they’re experiencing is unacceptable.
“I think the toughest penalties need to be dropped down on those football associations and for the clubs whose fans give racial abuse, they should have fans banned from the stadium.
“We should have empty stadiums. That’s not going to be nice to see, but I believe that racial abuse shouldn’t be tolerated and we shouldn’t make excuses for it.
“Even though it’s a minority, if the minority want to spoil it for everyone then that’s their choice, they shouldn’t be allowed in the vicinity.”
Maro Itoje…
Is there anything he can't do?! ?
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) April 3, 2019
Itoje insists rugby must remain vigilant over racism, but the experience of attending Arsenal’s 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat by Tottenham in December has demonstrated to him that the sports unfold in different landscapes.
“People are so passionate about football that maybe it brings out their innate tribal beliefs about certain people and they say whatever they can to either hurt or insult that person,” he said.
“Unfortunately I would not doubt that a lot of those people actually have racist views. Football has highlighted that issue. I don’t think it is just related to football, you can probably see that in other walks of life.
“I actually question whether a lot of football fans actually go to football to watch their team play.
“At the Emirates Stadium I was shocked by the amount of abuse, the amount of ridicule, the amount of horrible language used.”
Itoje will spearhead Saracens’ forward assault against Munster next weekend in a repeat of the European semi-final in Dublin two years ago, which the English champions won 26-10.
“The characteristics of Munster haven’t changed for years. They fight for everything, they are a top four team and have got lots of talented players,” Itoje said.
“We also have a very good team and we also have a very good record in knock-out rugby, so we aren’t going to be afraid of anything. But we know we are going to have to bring our A game.”
PA
Comments on RugbyPass
GOTTA MAKE ‘THE GEORGE’ HAPPEN!!!! That’s a great idea! A trans Tasman midget battle on ANZAC Day. I don’t think the ABs Wallabies game should be a one off winner takes all though, just the first match with the other two later in the year with the RC. Reason being, no one will ever shut up about how aussies couldn’t win it when it was a 3 match series.
1 Go to comments@Ben smith. Thats knock out rugby. So honeslty who cares?
145 Go to commentsIt will interesting to know which Irish players said that…
1 Go to commentsNaaaww boys will be boys! Now run along ya wee scamp! Don’t let us catch you at again😏
1 Go to commentsGreat to have Ethan Blackadder back in the Crusaders in the last few weeks. One of the best all round loose forwards around. He played so well last week against the Rebels. Fantastic attitude Ethan has and his comments are spot on.
2 Go to commentsThe author is 100% right. The Springboks know that they don't have near the natural attraction, mana, skill and mystic the All Blacks have. So, Chasing the sun 1 & 2 was concocted to overblow the Boks image on the back of a corruptly obtained “win". It's marketing ploy to force the Boks delusion as the World's Best. I guess World Rugby is also not to be believed when it came out with an apology about how the final was officiated. And if the 2023 final such a superb game by the Boks, then the Boks crying about Referee Bryce Lawrence for decades is also deserves a laugh. Chase the sun and get burned like a moth. A very well written literary piece that tore the Boks and Chasing the sun farce to shreds. 🖤All Blacks🏉
145 Go to commentsI’d say France was far more hard done by in the 2011 final than the All Blacks in this game. Joubert simply refused to call a penalty against the All Blacks in the last quarter even directing an All Black to drop a ball he picked up in an offside position rather than penalizing him. This article also totally discounts the efforts of PSTD. Ask Jordie how well he played. Or the backup flank who played hooker for the entire game. Siya was also a brilliant tackle by Richie from scoring a blinder. Pollard was also fantastic. Look I don’t like the boks style but the only thing more questionable than the content of this article is the timing of it. Get over it already
145 Go to commentsDad Marty was also a handy rugby player for Linwood back in the day. Great bloke. Sensational softball career.
2 Go to commentsWhat ifs are always dangerous. If you look at the game before Sam cane got sent of SA was dominating. You could make the argument the going down to 14 men rallied the troops and made them have to play to win which is always dangerous.
145 Go to commentsOmg… you are bruised And battered Benny. Stop crying … the scoreboard speaks. What a pathetic lover you are.. 🤣🤣🤣
145 Go to commentsPacific Lions, cry me a river
145 Go to commentsThis is the single worst piece of journalism I have ever seen since your last one. As a neutral, who really states that there should be an asterisk next to a win? You are an utter embarrassment to real AB fans, journalism and that joke of a house which pays you for this nonsense. Get a life, Ben.
145 Go to commentsGuys. Cancel the World Cup champions after this analysis. It changes everything. Ben knows. We’ll have to unengrave the Bokke off the trophy and hand it to the ABs, now that I’ve been enlightened about this illegitimate win. This needs to be done. Now!
145 Go to commentsBen is right here though, Springboks were woefully poor with the advantage they had throughout this game. The France match was heroic because that was an even contest this match had it taken place in Rugby Championship would have been an easy win for NZ. If anything this match should tell the Bok coaches that a lot of this team should be changed. They beat this same NZ team by record margin with the same circumstances but with a different core. They bring back the tried and tested guys and they nearly botch this game.
145 Go to commentsI knew who wrote this article from the first few words in the headline…lol. The red card actually did the ABs a favour. It galvanized them, only then did they step up a gear. Before that there was zero momentum.
145 Go to commentsFirstly the foul on Bongi was a planned move just like the NZ master plan with Bryce Lawrence you kiwis are filthy fux perhaps try to play a cleaner game next time I doubt that’s possible tho but don’t worry world rugby is on yr side they trying to take away all the BOKS strengths to help all you weakling as Jeremy Clarkson would say LA OO ZA ERR..🤣
145 Go to commentsAbsolutely spot on Ben. I certainly wouldn't gloat over a win like that. Frustrating as it is it's done and dusted and history will forever show the result.
145 Go to commentsHo hum.
145 Go to commentsNo question they were the better team. But that is the beauty of sport isn’t it!
145 Go to commentsEveryone is into Hurling in Ireland according to Porter, but only 11 of Ireland's 32 counties enter a team into the national competition. Same old blarney.
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