The Lithuania Banner
Here we have a banner with a picture of Africa, painted with the French flag, reading, “Welcome to Europe.” This was some Lithuanian fans’ editorial comment on the racial makeup of the France team. (Click on the photo for a larger version.)
Police are investigating and have received several tips. The Lithuanian soccer federation faces fines of up to about $21500 for the incident. (And judging by the state of their pitch, they’re already not swimming in cash.)
Coach Raymond Domenech said,
“Lithuania welcomed us very well. The national anthem wasn’t booed,” he told AFP. “The problem was the stupid fans who tarnish our sport – the few morons who have shown that flag. I hope they will be punished, but the trouble is that the real perpetrators of the crime have to be dealt with using footage from the match instead of punishing the Lithuania football federation. We can’t go on like that.”
Sigh. Here we go again.
Did anybody see any non-white faces on the Lithuanian players on Saturday? Yeah, neither did I. What about Austria? Didn’t see any there either.
There seems to be a pervasive belief in Europe that France is somehow “cheating” by actively searching out the best players, regardless of race. Yes, I can kind of understand the argument that people born in a country should enrich the team of that country. (Witness Didier Drogba and Ivory Coast.) But at the same time, why should France apply a different standard to itself than other countries? Because the players are black?
And not only that, the vast majority of French players were born in France! If they’re the best players, why would France not use them?
Jealousy and the race factor mixed together are an ugly combination.
(Thanks to l’Equipe Moustache for finding the photo.)
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Luis
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