Euro 2020 Tournament happening 2021

[Beanz]

Wow... this has devolved.

Me... I just saw two world class teams go at it for a couple of hours, and one just executed better than the other one in the penalty kicks decider.

Both teams had their share of dives, great plays, and swings of momentum.

What I DO find abhorrent though, is the racism issue which apparently got highlighted following the missed penalties by the three black English players.

Instead of the players taking a knee before matches... it should be all the fans instead.

Sad.

It is sad but not surprising. We live here in the UK in a country that is led by racists. Our PM and Home secretary refused to condemn the booing of our own national team for making an anti-racist statement and then today pretended that they were disgusted by the racists that they emboldened. Look at the racists on here who share similar sentiments and have no shame about it.

[TitoFan]

Wow... this has devolved.

Me... I just saw two world class teams go at it for a couple of hours, and one just executed better than the other one in the penalty kicks decider.

Both teams had their share of dives, great plays, and swings of momentum.

What I DO find abhorrent though, is the racism issue which apparently got highlighted following the missed penalties by the three black English players.

Instead of the players taking a knee before matches... it should be all the fans instead.

Sad.

It is sad but not surprising. We live here in the UK in a country that is led by racists. Our PM and Home secretary refused to condemn the booing of our own national team for making an anti-racist statement and then today pretended that they were disgusted by the racists that they emboldened. Look at the racists on here who share similar sentiments and have no shame about it.

Sadly, it seems no country or region is totally devoid of the scourge of racism. I would be more shocked if I wasn't already used to (and disgusted about) the continued racism plague in the U.S., which goes up to and includes people in power and what is even worse... law enforcement.

Having said that, I was struck by a couple of things. One was the total and heartfelt comradery and consolations extended to the England players who missed penalties, by their own teammates. That was heartwarming to see. The other was the publicized abuse of the three players who missed their penalties... who unfortunately happened to be black. It's almost like a tinderbox for racism to break through the surface, given the enormity of the moment for England... and having the trophy slip through their fingers in the most heartbreaking way possible.

The one difference I see between the U.S. and Europe regarding racism in sports is that in the U.S. you rarely, if ever, see fans being racist toward black players... at least on the field/court/stadium. Away from the playing field it's another matter altogether... but at least on the field the fans don't let on. Also, Europe has so many countries one has to wonder how the racism aspect varies from country to country. That would make for an interesting discussion. As far as the kneeling, which I saw but didn't really focus on throughout the tournament.... which countries knelt, and which countries didn't? Does that in itself speak about the team only? Or about the country's culture in general?

I still go back in my mind to the movie "42", about the life and career of Jackie Robinson (the first black player to be allowed to play in Major League Baseball). It was a terrific movie... and I'd recommend it to anyone.

[Master]

Both teams took the knee which was good to see. Some England fans boo the opposition's national anthem which is really embarrassing. Along way to go before we see racism kicked out of football. Name and shame the individuals would work.

[Primo Carnera]

Both teams took the knee which was good to see. Some England fans boo the opposition's national anthem which is really embarrassing. Along way to go before we see racism kicked out of football. Name and shame the individuals would work.

I actually think taking a knee is a meaningless gesture if I'm honest. And to be honest , some Sportsmen of Colour have also refused to take a knee because of that.
If they want to highlight the war against Racism (because it is a war) , there are much better ways of doing it.
for Example , Linking arms alternately Black Person, White Person , Black Person would be much more symbolic in my book.

[Beanz]

Both teams took the knee which was good to see. Some England fans boo the opposition's national anthem which is really embarrassing. Along way to go before we see racism kicked out of football. Name and shame the individuals would work.

I actually think taking a knee is a meaningless gesture if I'm honest. And to be honest , some Sportsmen of Colour have also refused to take a knee because of that.
If they want to highlight the war against Racism (because it is a war) , there are much better ways of doing it.
for Example , Linking arms alternately Black Person, White Person , Black Person would be much more symbolic in my book.

I have to respectfully disagree. The black players themselves have reiterated that for them it really does mean something and sends out the message they want to send out. It is not Marxist or even about BLM at this point, it is for them a way of not only showing solidarity with each other, but all the other BAME people that have simply had enough of having to justify themselves or put up with the racist bollocks that for years has plagued society. I am heartened that this group of players and their manager and coaching staff had the bottle to stand up to the boo boys and pricks who have ruined football and society here for years.

There are many here that mistake kindness for weakness. Fuck that bollocks. And then people wonder why kids brought up by people like that are just as messed up as them.

[Primo Carnera]

Both teams took the knee which was good to see. Some England fans boo the opposition's national anthem which is really embarrassing. Along way to go before we see racism kicked out of football. Name and shame the individuals would work.

I actually think taking a knee is a meaningless gesture if I'm honest. And to be honest , some Sportsmen of Colour have also refused to take a knee because of that.
If they want to highlight the war against Racism (because it is a war) , there are much better ways of doing it.
for Example , Linking arms alternately Black Person, White Person , Black Person would be much more symbolic in my book.

I have to respectfully disagree. The black players themselves have reiterated that for them it really does mean something and sends out the message they want to send out. It is not Marxist or even about BLM at this point, it is for them a way of not only showing solidarity with each other, but all the other BAME people that have simply had enough of having to justify themselves or put up with the racist bollocks that for years has plagued society. I am heartened that this group of players and their manager and coaching staff had the bottle to stand up to the boo boys and pricks who have ruined football and society here for years.

There are many here that mistake kindness for weakness. Fuck that bollocks. And then people wonder why kids brought up by people like that are just as messed up as them.

It’s an entirely personal thing. I just feel that when Kaepernick originally took the knee, for him it expressed his feeling at the time. And that’s great.
But others since have kind of done it, but not with much feeling or passion.
I feel that kneeling is almost Sub serviant in a way. I felt the Black power movement at the 1968 Olympics had far more resonance.
And standing upright with your fist in the air has a feeling of “fuck you, I am powerful and will not be silenced.”
But kneeling down……….
But if it has effect, I am happy to be wrong.

[TitoFan]

Both teams took the knee which was good to see. Some England fans boo the opposition's national anthem which is really embarrassing. Along way to go before we see racism kicked out of football. Name and shame the individuals would work.

I actually think taking a knee is a meaningless gesture if I'm honest. And to be honest , some Sportsmen of Colour have also refused to take a knee because of that.
If they want to highlight the war against Racism (because it is a war) , there are much better ways of doing it.
for Example , Linking arms alternately Black Person, White Person , Black Person would be much more symbolic in my book.

I have to respectfully disagree. The black players themselves have reiterated that for them it really does mean something and sends out the message they want to send out. It is not Marxist or even about BLM at this point, it is for them a way of not only showing solidarity with each other, but all the other BAME people that have simply had enough of having to justify themselves or put up with the racist bollocks that for years has plagued society. I am heartened that this group of players and their manager and coaching staff had the bottle to stand up to the boo boys and pricks who have ruined football and society here for years.

There are many here that mistake kindness for weakness. Fuck that bollocks. And then people wonder why kids brought up by people like that are just as messed up as them.

It’s an entirely personal thing. I just feel that when Kaepernick originally took the knee, for him it expressed his feeling at the time. And that’s great.
But others since have kind of done it, but not with much feeling or passion.
I feel that kneeling is almost Sub serviant in a way. I felt the Black power movement at the 1968 Olympics had far more resonance.
And standing upright with your fist in the air has a feeling of “fuck you, I am powerful and will not be silenced.”
But kneeling down……….
But if it has effect, I am happy to be wrong.

I don't think there's a right or a wrong here, guys. A gesture, if made with meaning, is a gesture. The key is to make it a heartfelt gesture, and hopefully to have some solidarity with the people you're surrounded with. In this case, seeing two entire teams take a knee, is meaningful IMO. Linking arms... raising fists... they're all fine. The desired end result is the same. To send an anti-racism message and hope that in some way, shape or form... it raises even a little bit of awareness about a centuries-old problem which frankly... most of us are way too tired of.

Speaking of which, even so-called anti-racism crusaders sometimes manage to shoot themselves in the foot.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sport...i-jeff-passan/ "After Stephen A. Smith’s rant about Shohei Ohtani, his ESPN co-workers led the pushback"

Stephen A Smith is a black sports commentator on ESPN who over the years has grown in popularity. He's got a brash style... and likes to call 'em like he sees 'em. Since George Floyd, he's become more outspoken about BLM as a worthy and necessary cause... and routinely rails against the professional league establishments about the lack of black team owners, coaches, etc. But as the years have gone by, Smith has become more of an obnoxious loudmouth, to the point he turns off a lot of people.

THEN... he goes off on Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani, for the simple "sin" of not knowing how to speak English. Needless to say, this created quite the stir at ESPN, and drew a swift backlash from people in general. To Smith's credit, he quickly apologized. But that just goes to show you that racism isn't limited to white on black. It's not monopolized by any one race or country.

Most of you don't follow baseball... but what Ohtani is doing this year in the Major Leagues is nothing short of OTHERWORLDLY INCREDIBLE. To put if briefly, he is the first player since Babe Ruth, and a couple of players in the old Negro Leagues, to have the God-given ability to both pitch at a major league level... and bat right up there with the best of them. Traditionally, pitchers sit there with the bat on their shoulder, as the opposing pitcher blows three strikes right by him. That is with the exception of the American League (one of two leagues in MLB), who decided a long time ago to take the bat away from the pitcher and institute the position of designated hitter. The DH just takes the batting turn that used to belong to the pitcher, so the pitcher can concentrate on just pitching and not have to be embarrassed at the plate.

Then along comes Ohtani, and is threatening to lead the league in home runs, as well as in pitching stats. In fact, in tonight's All-Star Game, Ohtani will be both the starting pitcher AND the leadoff batter for the American League.

Think of a football player starring as a top striker, AND being a top goalkeeper as well.

Come to think of it, Smith should send a written apology letter to him.