The Barcelona youngster was insulted live on air by a former LaLiga coach ahead of the match against Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona have taken a united stand against racism by boycotting their post-match interviews with Spanish broadcaster Movistar following a racially insensitive remark made about Lamine Yamal, a 16-year-old footballer.
Racist Remark by Mono Burgos
Argentine manager Mono Burgos made a racially insensitive comment during pre-match coverage, targeting Lamine Yamal. Burgos' remark, "If [football] doesn’t go well for him, he’d find himself at a red light," sparked outrage and condemnation in Spain. The comment was perceived as derogatory and offensive, particularly considering Yamal's background from a disadvantaged area in Catalunya.
In the aftermath of Burgos' comment, both PSG and Barcelona took a decisive stance by boycotting their post-match interviews with Movistar, the broadcaster responsible for airing the offensive remark. Despite fulfilling their media obligations to some extent, players and managers from both clubs refused to engage in interviews with Movistar, expressing their indignation and disapproval of the racist comment.
Journalist Ricardo Sierra provided insight into the situation, revealing that PSG and Barcelona had communicated their decision to abstain from interviews with Movistar due to the offensive nature of Burgos' comment. "They were extremely angry by a comment made on our channel," said Sierra, shedding light on the clubs' strong reaction to the racial abuse.
Burgos issues apology
In an attempt to mitigate the fallout from his remark, Mono Burgos offered a public apology, acknowledging that his comment was not intended to cause harm but was rather a misguided attempt at humour. Despite his apology, the damage had been done, and the incident underscored the importance of sensitivity and awareness in discussing sensitive topics such as race. "It wasn’t my intention. As time goes by, you have to adapt when you try and make jokes," Burgos remarked in his apology.
The boycott initiated by PSG and Barcelona reflects a broader commitment within football to combat racism and discrimination. By refusing to engage with Movistar following the racially insensitive remark, the clubs sent a clear message that such behaviour would not be tolerated. Moving forward, the incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and accountability in promoting inclusivity and respect within the sport.
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