Mystik, just to clarify I didn't mean to imply all racist people are full of hate, I put that in because often we see people who will say something racist suddenly being thought of as hateful as well, especially in the media.
I also think it would be a shame if we don't discuss this topic. I think it's relevant, as he is a former player and one who played for Milan and I think it's very difficult to try and avoid these topics in a sport as complex as football, but also it can enrich the discussion too. We've discussed it in the past when Sacchi said what he did and I think it's fair to discuss it now. I think if the discussion is mature, it should be ok, as long as we don't delve into outright breaking forum rules.
On this particular scenario, what he said was completely wrong and he was rightly sacked as a result. However, that's where it ends for me, I don't want to try and judge the man. You made a very interesting point about imagining what he says in private. It could be horribly racist and I could be way off the mark about him (in saying that I doubt he is intentionally racist). However, I want to say that in my life I've encountered people who have made comments in a similar vain as he has in this scenario and more often than not, it's made out of ignorance and not understanding how what they say is offensive, rather than a calculated attack. It's wrong, there's simply no denying that, but it's not with malicious intent. Often when this happens, I'm also on the receiving end 
Anyway, I think this raises a point that is important. It's often difficult to try and be understanding in these situations, but I think it's necessary to try and understand the person making the comment and their intent.
I don't speak Italian very well so I am going to base my opinion on the following quotes which I have taken from football-Italia. I know that things can get lost in translation so I am making it clear that I am basing my opinion on these events on the accuracy of the translation made by the Football-Italia staff.
Quote:“Black players in the defensive line often make these mistakes because they’re not concentrated,” said Eranio.
“They are powerful physically, but when it is time to think… they often make this type of error.”
Quote:“It’s disappointing that people have created all this controversy. I didn’t offend anyone and I don’t want people to make out as if I’m racist. Anyone who knows me is well aware that I am not.
“It irritates me to be thrown to the wolves like this. The truth is I gave an incorrect opinion, in the sense that if I’d had to time to explain I would’ve said that I meant black players have never had a school of football in tactical terms similar to ours.
“Rudiger read the situation badly because black players are not accustomed to paying attention to certain details.
“If they were as detail-oriented as us, then they’d dominate the spot, because they have everything in terms of strength and technique.
“It was a misunderstanding, I don’t want to be made to appear racist. If they didn’t like my comment, they could’ve just told me and interrupted our collaboration. Why create all this controversy?”
Quote:“I'm really disheartened by what happened,” Eranio told Sport 1.
“As I already said, I apologise if I offended anyone and it was definitely not my intention to.
“What I regret is that when they reported the news, they cut pieces out. They claim that I said that ‘black players don’t think'.
“But no. I said that black players 'don’t think as a team on the defensive line', for example excluding those who are not defenders.
“I was wrong to generalise, of course, also because Rudiger is German. But tactically, Africans are not particularly prepared because of their football culture.
“It’s better for us because otherwise they would always win the World Cup.
"I am saddened by what happened. Everyone can think what they want. TSI (Televisione Svizzera Italiana) has distanced itself from me and I respect their decision, but I don’t agree with what they did.
“They behaved like cowards. It took me 49 years to build an image of a clean sportsman.
“In 30 seconds they wanted to change everything. It would’ve been enough to just not call me anymore.
“Of course I messed up, but with that press release they raised a cloud of dust that I could’ve done without.”
I don't even know where to start with this guy and his comments. First of all we should probably address his automatic assumption that the black player was from Africa and not from Europe. This is a similar sentiment to that which you mentioned regarding Sacchi and his comments - the idea of these generally older, white, Italian men that the black players don't count as Europeans (too many black players in youth teams  ) The fact that he took a look at the guys skin colour and made judgements such as him not being able to think on the pitch smacks of the kind of racism that is a major topic of discussion in North America and abroad. Not the "I hate you because of your colour" racism but the "in the same situation, I treat two people of different colour differently because of certain subconscious preconceptions" racism. Guaranteed if it were Bonera, he wouldn't be talking about him in that way.
Additionally, it took him three tries to even mention Africa in his quote so I'm not quite convinced that he was trying to say that players who develop playing African football have different characteristics. That would be an ENTIRELY different conversation and although I do not watch African football, that may possibly be true (but it would also apply to EVERYONE who came through African football - not just the black players). "If they were as detail oriented as us"...who is the "us"? Is he only referring to Nesta and Maldini or would Jerome Boateng (who is an excellent defender) be included in this "us"? I know what I think...
I think the worst part is that he doesn't even understand why he should have been fired. How can you be so clueless...
This post is already getting much longer than I wanted it to so I'll just leave it off with this: why was Balotelli the one to take all the abuse from the World Cup performance and not Marchisio whose bonehead move left Italy with 10 men against Uruguay in a critical match or any of the other NUMEROUS underperforming players? I mean even his own teammates turned on him during the tournament ffs. That is downright deplorable. I wonder if it has anything to do with the same reason why Italian stadia are always partially closed due to sections of the crowd making racist chants...
Siamo a posto cosi.
I agree that his comments are indicative of a bigger problem that we have everywhere, but the question is how it should be dealt with. I think what both Eranio and Sacchi before him have shown is ignorance and a lack of understanding of how what they've said is offensive. In Sacchi's case, we've actually seen that while he made really offensive comments, his actions when he coached didn't necessarily show the bias or discrimination that his comments suggested. Gullit was for him arguably the most valuable player in his Milan for his personality, while he put his job on the line to get Rijkaard.
I wouldn't be surprised if Eranio's similar, a guy whose comments were racist and horribly generalised a group of people unfairly. However, I wouldn't be at all shocked if he's completely genuine when he argues he's not racist and doesn't understand why this has blown up in this way. I bet he feels like a victim in this situation because those who are ignorant will struggle to understand the situation.
What he's said is totally wrong, there's really very little to try and justify the words said, but I think it would be more productive if people were to have a discussion with him to try and educate him as to why this view is wrong than to attack him, which is more likely to create further conflict. When these things break out in the media, often the person at fault is attacked and then it's all just yesterday's news and forgotten, with their reptutation tarnished for the rest of their lives. I often wonder if anyone actually talks to try and reason and explain to these people as to how what they've said is offensive and wrong. I bet more often than not it just leaves everyone with a sour taste in the mouth with little to nothing done to actually try and improve the problem. If Eranio isn't willing to listen, that's a different matter.
It's a very interesting topic though imo. There's been a pretty big debate in the UK for a number of years now as to why more Asians aren't playing in the sport, especially at the highest level. The stats are surprising, as Asians make up the largest ethnic minority in the UK. One of the big topics around this is there's discrimination against a lot of these guys, because traditionally Asians aren't known for athletic or physical prowess. Just to clarify, I use the term Asian in the context of how it's generally used in the UK, to describe people of South Asian descent, not East Asian as is usually the case in North America.
I am not sure whether you heard about the racial remarks that former LA Clippers owner, Donald Sterling, made last year? If not, I urge you to look it up because that will help you understand where I am coming from in my next point.
I obviously don't know Sacchi or Eranio personally and I was certainly too young to know much about their tenure with Milan. However, I can't say that I agree with your interpretation of how he treated Rijkaard and Gullit. We're talking about some of the best players to EVER play for Milan - he would have to be a downright fool not to value them. Similarly, Donald Sterling was the owner of an NBA team with many top black athletes but it didn't stop him saying the hurtful things which he did. I am sure he also valued them in the sense that it brought him success and wealth. Now, let's be clear that I am not suggesting that Sacchi or Eranio would say something as bad as Sterling did but that Sacchi coached and benefited from some of the best black footballers ever doesn't tell me anything positive or negative about how he feels about black people in general.
I do agree that he should be spoken to and made to understand why his comments were hurtful. However, from the corporation's point of view, they don't want to be seen supporting someone who has made comments that alienate and offend such a large group of people. I can understand why they had to part ways with him on the back of his statements.
This reminds me of the following video...not sure if you have ever seen it. People really need to think before they speak.
Siamo a posto cosi.
10-27-2015, 05:50 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-27-2015, 05:55 PM by ACMILAN1983.)
I was aware of the Donald Sterling controversy. Honestly, that's quite an extreme example, but I know what you're saying. Just to clarify, Sacchi valuing the input of Gullit and Rijkaard is one thing, but this isn't just a case of him benefiting from their ability.
In the case of Rijkaard especially, Sacchi really made a big statement to get him. Silvio didn't want him, he wanted another player, but Sacchi put himself on the line and forced Silvio's hand to get Rijkaard. Point being when push came to shove, he looked beyond skin colour or nationality to build the team he wanted. This was in a time when racism was still commonplace in European football and often just accepted.
I remember a story Gullit mentioned at some point (I think in a documentary) where he talked about Sacchi and he mentioned Sacchi actually once made a comment to him that was racist back in their days at Milan. Gullit apparently confronted Sacchi about this and said that he didn't want to hear comments of this sort from the coach and Sacchi didn't say anything like it again. Again, this is an example of where Sacchi said something stupid, but it's also interesting that he did respect the player to understand how it was inappropriate and didn't do it again.
This isn't to defend these guys, they really should know better, but I think in Sacchi's case, actions have generally said more than words. I think that's the reason why I'm not totally against Eranio in this situation, because I have big doubts that he intended for his comments to be demeaning and hurtful, even thought they were. Of course in private their thoughts might be much more extreme, but I simply can't judge them.
What the corporation did was totally right. They should have sacked him and they did. I know Eranio's bitter about what happened, but really they can't be faulted.
That video really is terrible, not just inappropriate but that's really a hurtful comment to make on so many levels. I relate to that sort of stuff as well, as I've experienced similar stuff being of darker complexion.
Ronaldo in an interview says Maldini is the toughest defender he ever faced:
http://gazzettaworld.gazzetta.it/news/se...val-faced/?
Not new if I'm honest, he's said this stuff before.
Wanted to share an article about Donadoni, not his playing career, but his managerial one.
https://www.whoscored.com/Articles/jdroj...a-Ambition
I've always been a fan of his (as I mentioned in the underrated players thread and numerous other places). I think as a manger, he's really under appreciated and I've said a few times I'd love to see him return to Milan as a coach, ideally during a period where the squad is ready to compete.
I'd really recommend reading the article, because it shows the class of the man, not just his ability as a coach, but him as a human being.
I thought this was an interesting article by Gazzetta about the best Swedish players to play in Italy
http://gazzettaworld.gazzetta.it/list/ib...ish-stars/
Interesting thing is they all played for Milan at some point.
Don't know if anyone read it, but again I'd recommend the article on Donadoni I posted in my previous post.
Cesare Maldini has passed away.
|
