Latest news with #Racism
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Thousands join Israeli flag march through Muslim quarter of Jerusalem
Israel's far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, was among the crowd for an annual march through the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem. It is funded and promoted by the Jerusalem city government and celebrates Israel's capture and occupation of East Jerusalem and its holy sites in the war of 1967. The march has been marred by racism and attacks on Palestinians for years and on Monday groups were heard chanting 'Gaza is ours', 'death to the Arabs' and 'may their villages burn'. One banner, seen near the Damascus Gate of al-Aqsa mosque compound, read 'Jerusalem 1967, Gaza 2025'
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Swinney demands Meta remove ‘racist' Reform UK ad attacking Labour's Sarwar
The SNP leader John Swinney has demanded that the owner of Facebook act on Reform UK's 'racist' byelection advert that attacks the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar. The Facebook video, which incorrectly claims Sarwar has promised to prioritise Pakistani communities, is now subject to formal complaints from Scotland's two main political parties. Scottish Labour contacted Meta, Facebook's parent company, about the video two weeks ago and has yet to receive a reply. On Monday the Daily Record reported that the SNP chief executive, Carol Beattie, had also written to Meta, stating that the advert 'appears designed to provoke division, stir racial resentment and marginalise Pakistani residents in Scotland'. The byelection for the Holyrood seat of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, prompted by the death of the popular Nationalist MSP Christina McKelvie in March, is being fiercely contested, with Reform seemingly gaining ground from Labour and the SNP. The 5 June byelection will serve as a significant bellwether less than a year before the Scottish parliament elections due in May 2026. The advert reproduced a decontextualised clip of Sarwar speaking at an event celebrating the 75th anniversary of Pakistan's independence in 2022, when he said: 'Pakistanis need represented in every mainstream political party in Scotland and across the UK.' It appears alongside the text 'Anas Sarwar has said he will prioritise the Pakistani community'. He does not say this anywhere in the clips shown. Speaking on Monday, Swinney said: 'We've got to address racism wherever it happens, which is why the SNP has complained to Meta about an advert attacking the Labour party, and because issues about racism are above party politics. 'Anas Sarwar is a political rival of mine, but he shouldn't be subjected to that kind of racist attack and we want to make sure that we stand in solidarity against the tactics of Farage.' Swinney said he would push back on the advert if it was referenced on the doorstep, as did the SNP's candidate, Katy Loudon. Last month, Swinney held a cross-party summit in Glasgow, inviting faith groups and third-sector leaders to discuss protection of democratic values, misinformation and the rise of the far right in Scotland. On Monday he said: 'One of the themes of the discussions we had in Glasgow a few weeks ago was all about misinformation and distortion. It's debasing our politics. People can't make informed judgments because they're having disinformation peddled towards them.' Last Thursday a spokesperson for Sarwar said the advert was 'blatantly racist' and that it 'attempts to question the identity, loyalty and belonging of Anas Sarwar'. 'Anas was born in Scotland and has lived here all his life. He is a proud Scot who has worked in our NHS and campaigns to deliver for every Scot. Decent people across Scotland will reject Reform's divisive politics.' The Reform UK councillor Thomas Kerr said: 'John Swinney and Anas Sarwar are desperately trying to deflect attention away from the facts. This advert uses Mr Sarwar's own words – if he doesn't like them, he shouldn't use them. 'The SNP and Labour have both broken Scotland, it's no surprise they're now forming some sort of pathetic and panicky anti-Reform coalition. The more Reform grows the more desperate their lies and smears will get but we're ready for it. Unlike them we aren't fighting for our careers, we're fighting for our country.' Despite McKelvie's substantial majority when she held the seat, Swinney also acknowledged that the contest was 'tight' and 'still very difficult to call'.
News.com.au
07-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Essendon coach Brad Scott says his players didn't feel the need to take a comment from Port's Willie Rioli any further
Essendon coach Brad Scott says his club has 'zero issues' with Willie Rioli amid revelations the embattled Port Adelaide star allegedly made a threat against one of his players in round 3, declaring 'what happens on the field, stays on the field'. Scott conceded community expectations had changed as to what was allowable and made it clear he expected all players to stay away from the sort of racial and homophobic slurs that have drawn heavy penalties and heavy scorn in recent years. But he said in the 'combative' AFL arena, he fully expected players would become involved in heated exchanges and none of his players were moved to take anything said by Rioli any further. Scott's comments came with the AFL reportedly weighing up information about previous allegations against Rioli in games against Geelong in 2024 and Essendon in round 3 this season. They arose after he avoided penalty for sending a threatening post-game message to Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Dale. 'It's not an Essendon issue. Our players have zero concerns,' Scott said on Wednesday. 'There are community expectations around player behaviour on and off the field, but within those expectations, I have a pretty firm belief of what happens on the field should stay on the field, provided that it's within general community expectations. 'Our players feel that whatever was said or done on field against Port Adelaide should stay on the field. We're not interested in engaging further.' Scott conceded, however, that off-field indiscretions should be treated differently. 'Across the decades, expectations have quite rightly changed in line with broader community expectations,' he said. 'I think the AFL have been leaders in tackling issues like racism. We absolutely know that there is no space or place for racism on or off the field. 'But on field, it is a competitive environment, and what would be defined as a threat could be a pretty loose term. We play a combative, competitive sport and I would expect our players to be combative, expect them to do that within the realms of sportsmanship. There's certainly a place for what happens on the field stays on the field. 'But I'd stress again, provided it's within what we all know are community expectations of levels of behaviour. 'Our game was played, there were no reports made. Our players, and I've canvassed them, have absolutely no issue.' Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said he was concerned about 'double jeopardy' given Rioli wasn't initially penalised but conceded the AFL could have 'been stronger'. 'There are different layers of sanction that you can place … there is obviously a slap on the wrist, there is conduct unbecoming and a fine, and there is conduct unbecoming and a suspension,' Buckley said on SEN. 'Could the AFL have been stronger? I guarantee now they wish they were stronger now that more (allegations) have come (forward).'
BBC News
26-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hartpury College player banned for racial abuse
A Hartpury College rugby union player has received a nine-match ban from the Rugby Football Union after racially abusing an Cooper, 20, was found guilty by an RFU independent disciplinary panel earlier this month of "conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union and the game" after targeting a University of Bristol well as the nine-match ban, with three games suspended, Cooper has also been enrolled in an online course provided by Accelerate Sport called "Tackling Racism in Sport".The incident occurred during a British Universities and Colleges Sport match in Bristol on 22 impact statement provided to the panel by the player targeted read: "When the words were said, I didn't know how to feel. I was in shock as I didn't expect to hear what I heard, especially in a rugby game."Hartpury College said Cooper "accepted responsibility for his actions and admitted using the abusive language at the match. He apologised wholeheartedly for his conduct which he candidly accepted was utterly inappropriate."A University of Bristol spokesperson said: "We welcome the outcome of the disciplinary panel and would like to thank everyone involved for the robust and prompt way in which this has been dealt with. "We have been supporting the affected student throughout this time."
Telegraph
26-02-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Rugby player given nine-match ban for racist abuse
A 20-year-old university rugby player has been banned for nine matches – with three suspended – and forced to undertake a racism course after calling an opposition team member a 'ch---y s---' during a British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) match. Joe Cooper of Hartpury University was found guilty of 'conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union and the game' by a Rugby Football Union independent disciplinary panel earlier this month after aiming the racial slur at a University of Bristol player during a match in January. The panel found that because 'the highly offensive, racist term was directed towards the player because of his race, this incident was so serious that only a top-end entry point was appropriate. Taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case, the panel concluded that an entry point of 18 matches was appropriate.' However, in mitigation, that sentence was reduced by 50 per cent, with three matches suspended until the end of the 2025/26 season. The panel highlighted how Cooper had accepted the charge, had a good disciplinary record, was young and inexperienced and had apologised profusely for his conduct. The 20-year-old 'must also undertake the Tackling Racism course by the end of April', the verdict read. The incident occurred on January 22 and left the victim 'in tears', according to Bristol's head of rugby. 'He was in lots of shock and clearly visibly upset,' they added. 'He then repeated to me that he had been called a 'ch---y s---'. I asked him if he was aware who said it, to which he replied: 'No, I didn't see but I know when it was so I might tell from the footage.' While leaving the field the Hartpury coach apologised to him stating that he would take this very seriously and that he was already investigating the incident to find out who said the remark.' The victim told the panel: 'When the words were said, I didn't know how to feel. I was in shock as I didn't expect to hear what I heard, especially in a rugby game. Afterwards, once my adrenalin had passed and the final whistle blew, I was still in so much shock but additionally was visibly feeling upset and hurt. Fortunately, I have a good group of lads around me who were able to comfort me and help me hold my head up. The following day, I was still very surprised those words had been said but I tried to just forget about it to not let it get in the way of my day. However, when it did come across my mind I was still just upset.' The panel highlighted how Hartpury had held a player-led meeting in the aftermath of the match and, although not involved, Cooper 'heard of the event and came forward, admitting responsibility for his actions and using abusive language'. Hartpury carried out an internal disciplinary process and suspended Cooper, who 'apologised wholeheartedly for his conduct which he candidly accepted was utterly inappropriate', from training and playing for six weeks. The written judgment outlines how, after the incident, Hartpury held a team meeting to reinforce the expectations of the group and mentions the bystander training, leadership training and code of conduct training carried out by the squad every year. Hartpury also suggested for there to be a restorative meeting between the pair in order to educate Cooper on how this has affected the victim. The panel added: 'Whilst making it clear that they were thoroughly disappointed by [Cooper's] conduct, representatives from Hartpury did speak in support of him generally and said that this was entirely out of character.'
