The game took place on Sunday September 20, 2009 between Blackburn and Everton and apparently El-Hadji Diouf Vs the Everton Fans!
El-Hadji Diouf goes for a throwing and the ball boy throws the ball in his direction but not hand it over to him and Diouf turns and speaks back. Reports after the game was that Diouf claims he was subjected to racist abuse during Sunday’s Premier League match at Goodison Park. Specifically, claims bananas were thrown.
Latest news is that the police have confirmed today that the only investigation ongoing is into the allegations against Mr Diouf (allegations he made some unsavory things to the ball boy), not allegations of misbehaviour by Everton fans.
A few things wrong with this picture! First, Mr. Diouf should be aware that racism claims are not your default exit door because of the color of your skin. Racism claims are not slangs you use like curse words, it’s a sensitive and a serious issue that has literally defined history since the human race can remember. In this day and age, it is actually a criminal act if anyone is found guilty of it. Secondly, with the advent of technology, practically anything that happens in a football game is inevitably captured somewhere in some form either in video footage or pictures. It’s easy to make a claim but be careful that the evidence backs your claim. As soon as Mr. Diouf made his claim to a Police officer right after the game, the area of that field was immediately scanned intensely for banana several times over. Furthermore, 1600 pictures from the game was also careful scrutinized over and over again to find evidence of Mr. Diouf’s claim, to no avail.
What should his punishment be? Frankly, I think there has to be consequences for his actions. First an apology to Everton fan for defamation of character as football fans, an apology to Blackburn, his employers for putting the club through this. Lastly, an apology to the English Premier league and FIFA for making a mockery of their kick against racism campaign. The league and FIFA have been proactive when it comes to racism claims in the game and for a player of such a status as Mr. El-Hadji Diouf to make such bogus claims according to evidence so far, is actually a shame and a counter-move to the very noble cause.
Other punitive measures being suggested so far, is prosecution for his false claims – frankly I don’t know how you would build a case on this “Mr. Diouf lied about something he shouldn’t have?”. Another was for Everton to ban him from playing at their ground – Goodison Park! Not a bad idea. Blackburn should sack Mr. Diouf was another suggestion! Not sure how this would change the man, because it is likely he is snatched up by another team and Blackburn ultimately looses out as he is an integral and important player for them.
Mr. Diouf has always been known to be a trouble maker but this particular trouble deserves some punitive measures. But what punitive measure exactly would be well befitting and deserving of this act, only time would tell.
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