View Full Version : John Motson in racist 'storm'
Cherie
20-02-2019, 08:50 AM
Veteran football commentator John Motson has offered a personal apology to Tom Elliott after he described the Millwall striker as 'big, black and brave' on the radio.
Sportsmail exclusively revealed on Monday night how the legendary broadcaster had been reprimanded by talkSPORT bosses for his comments during the station's coverage of Millwall's 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.
And we can reveal Motson contacted Elliott on Monday to say sorry for his remarks, insisting it was an error of judgement, and apologising for any offence he may have caused.
Elliot has accepted the apology and wants to draw a line under it
Isn't what he said complimentary :shrug:
the world truly has gone crazy
Nicky91
20-02-2019, 08:57 AM
don't dare coming for football commentary legend John Motson :nono:
Nicky91
20-02-2019, 08:57 AM
he apologized anyway so
Oliver_W
20-02-2019, 08:59 AM
Le sigh. I doubt Elliott even cared.
reece(:
20-02-2019, 09:01 AM
Welp why would you even say that :facepalm:
Cherie
20-02-2019, 09:02 AM
Welp why would you even say that :facepalm:
Whats wrong with it?
Toy Soldier
20-02-2019, 09:26 AM
Whats wrong with it?Would a commentator ever describe a footballer as "white" as a defining feature? I would say the problem is that he's used it as a descriptor when it's irrelevant to his abilities as a footballer. Big? Sure. Brave? Relevant to his play. Black? Err...
I guess the thing you have to ask is... Can you see someone being described as "big, white and brave" or would he just have said "big and brave".
reece(:
20-02-2019, 09:27 AM
Whats wrong with it?
Would a commentator ever describe a footballer as "white" as a defining feature? I would say the problem is that he's used it as a descriptor when it's irrelevant to his abilities as a footballer. Big? Sure. Brave? Relevant to his play. Black? Err...
I guess the thing you have to ask is... Can you see someone being described as "big, white and brave" or would he just have said "big and brave".
:clap1:
It's just not something you say..? Doesn't even make sense
Nicky91
20-02-2019, 09:36 AM
:clap1:
It's just not something you say..? Doesn't even make sense
true, that's why i'm myself never saying that honestly
but look John is a veteran football commentator, also well respected commentator too
this from him just a one off wrong thing to say i guess
Northern Monkey
20-02-2019, 09:37 AM
I mean I wouldn’t see it as a racist slur.Irrelevant yes.
The amount of times i’ve heard “I’m a strong black woman” with no complaints.That’s also irrelevant.
Leave Motson alone.
reece(:
20-02-2019, 09:38 AM
The amount of times i’ve heard “I’m a strong black woman” with no complaints.That’s also irrelevant.
"I'm a strong black woman" ... said by a black woman? What point does this make..
Livia
20-02-2019, 09:39 AM
Is not not big, black and brave then?
Northern Monkey
20-02-2019, 09:40 AM
What about Nigel Benn “The Dark Destroyer”.
People use colour as a descriptor all the time.
As long as it’s not negative.
arista
20-02-2019, 09:42 AM
he apologized anyway so
Case Closed
Northern Monkey
20-02-2019, 09:44 AM
"I'm a strong black woman" ... said by a black woman? What point does this make..
Er...Using the word “black” to describe people.He was’nt using it as an insult.
He didn’t do a Ron Atkinson.Now that was racist.
Nicky91
20-02-2019, 09:47 AM
Er...Using the word “black” to describe people.He was’nt using it as an insult.
He didn’t do a Ron Atkinson.Now that was racist.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/apr/22/football.raceintheuk
yes back in 2004, what Atkinson said about Marcel Desailly which got him sacked from sports pundit job
Crimson Dynamo
20-02-2019, 09:51 AM
Would a commentator ever describe a footballer as "white" as a defining feature? I would say the problem is that he's used it as a descriptor when it's irrelevant to his abilities as a footballer. Big? Sure. Brave? Relevant to his play. Black? Err...
I guess the thing you have to ask is... Can you see someone being described as "big, white and brave" or would he just have said "big and brave".
yes if it was in say Nigeria
but its not
Cherie
20-02-2019, 10:26 AM
Would a commentator ever describe a footballer as "white" as a defining feature? I would say the problem is that he's used it as a descriptor when it's irrelevant to his abilities as a footballer. Big? Sure. Brave? Relevant to his play. Black? Err...
I guess the thing you have to ask is... Can you see someone being described as "big, white and brave" or would he just have said "big and brave".
:clap1:
It's just not something you say..? Doesn't even make sense
It was a compliment
Lets see if you complain next time you see the insult, pale, stale and male
Cherie
20-02-2019, 10:27 AM
Er...Using the word “black” to describe people.He was’nt using it as an insult.
He didn’t do a Ron Atkinson.Now that was racist.
Exactly he wasn't using black as an insult, he was using it as a descriptor
Ramsay
20-02-2019, 10:29 AM
Seems like a compliment to me like others have said
reece(:
20-02-2019, 10:31 AM
It was a compliment
Lets see if you complain next time you see the insult, pale, stale and male
I wasn't a fan of that remark either others had already picked up on it.. nice to see you following my every move though x
Toy Soldier
20-02-2019, 11:04 AM
yes if it was in say Nigeria
but its not
You're right, black men are an extremely unusual and remark-worthy sight in English football.
...
Mystic Mock
20-02-2019, 11:14 AM
It is a strange comment tbf.
However I am happy to see that John Motson hasn't lost his job over it as it's not like Ron Atkinson's comments like someone else has said on here.
Mystic Mock
20-02-2019, 11:14 AM
It is a strange comment tbf.
However I am happy to see that John Motson hasn't lost his job over it as it's not like Ron Atkinson's comments like someone else has said on here.
Cherie
20-02-2019, 11:16 AM
I wasn't a fan of that remark either others had already picked up on it.. nice to see you following my every move though x
we are on the same thread, if that is following your every move so be it.
Vicky.
20-02-2019, 11:18 AM
I get why some would see this as racist, but tbh, unless the recipient saw it as racist, I don't really see the issue. I read it as a compliment...but again, can see why people say the black part is unnecessary.
Vicky.
20-02-2019, 11:19 AM
Mind, reading the OP again, it seems maybe the recipient DID see it as racist? Not been following this so just going off this thread..
AnnieK
20-02-2019, 11:57 AM
He has contacted Tom and apologised and Tom would like to draw a line under it apparently.
It was a silly think to say, although I don't think any offence was meant, he should know that comments like that can be misconstrued and should not be used.
He has been reprimanded and apologised, the apology has been accepted apparently so hopefully that is the end of it and he will not use that phrase or any like it again
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