Messi accused of using racist term

[OSRGull]

BBC Sport - Barcelona dismiss claim Messi called Drenthe

Drenthe, who is currently on loan at Everton from Real Madrid, claims Messi called him a "negro" repeatedly during his time in Spain.

 

[brightonrock]

Someone lock Gus in a cupboard. Do it, do it now.

 

[BHA Swiifty]

Barcelona have defended Lionel Messi against accusations he addressed a racial term at Royston Drenthe.
Continue reading the main story

“When Hercules played Barcelona, during the game I had a small altercation with him. He gave me a hand in the match and again said a few times, 'hola negro'.”

Royston Drenthe

Drenthe, who is currently on loan at Everton from Real Madrid, claims Messi called him a "negro" repeatedly during his time in Spain.

Barcelona have dismissed the claims and praised Messi's character.

"The player has always shown maximum respect and sportsmanship towards his rivals, something recognised by fellow professionals," a spokesman said.

"We are sure that any accusations to the contrary are well wide of the mark."

Drenthe, 25, has spent this season, the final year of his Real Madrid contract, on loan at Goodison Park but he has been excluded from David Moyes' squad in recent weeks for disciplinary reasons.

He joined Real from Feyenoord in 2007 and spent last season on loan with Spanish side Hercules.

In an interview with Dutch magazine Helden, Drenthe says he clashed with world player of the year Messi, 24, during his time with Hercules.

He has also accused former Real team-mates Gabriel Heinze and Gonzalo Higuain of using similar language on the training ground.

"I played against [Messi] many times and we always have problems with each other," Drenthe said.

"You know what bothers me so? That tone with which he always says, 'negro, negro'. I understand that negro in South America is very common, but we cannot stand it.

"When Hercules played Barcelona, during the game I had a small altercation with him. He gave me a hand in the match and again said a few times, 'hola negro'.

"Mahamadou Diarra, my team-mate at Real, could explode if 'negro' was aimed at him. The Argentinean Gabriel Heinze and Gonzalo Higuain said it initially on the training ground, but they were stopped."

 

[Art Vs Science]

So it's just a claim then. Bit harsh calling him a racist tosser when there seems to be no proof thus far

 

[WhingForPresident]

Bit of a libelous statement in the thread title.
Very strange timing of this accusation- if he was that offended by the alleged remarks why did he not speak up before now?

 

[Woodchip]

So it's just a claim then. Bit harsh calling him a racist tosser when there seems to be no proof thus far

This.

If it were Terry then you could be excused.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

nice bit of libel there....

 

[swindonseagull]

Bit of a libelous statement in the thread title.
Very strange timing of this accusation- if he was that offended by the alleged remarks why did he not speak up before now?

publicity seeking?

 

[OSRGull]

I doubt Drenthe has just randomly came out with it.

 

[swindonseagull]

BBC Sport - Barcelona dismiss claim Messi called Drenthe

Drenthe, who is currently on loan at Everton from Real Madrid, claims Messi called him a "negro" repeatedly during his time in Spain.

you are showing your teenage immaturity with that thread title, I suggest you change it.

 

[kevtherev]

Seems to be a South American trend.

 

[Art Vs Science]

I doubt Drenthe has just randomly came out with it.

I think you are missing the point, you have NO PROOF in any way that this is the case, so yes it is out of order. There have bigger and better liars that have been taken to court making false claims.

 

[Triggaaar]

Seems to be a South American trend.

Which is why Poyet gets in hot water. We're out of kilter with most of the world.

 

[kevtherev]

Which is why Poyet gets in hot water. We're out of kilter with most of the world.

We might be out of kilter with most of the world. But that does not mean most of the world are right. When in Rome and all that...It could be that most of the world are way behind, which they clearly are when you watch the news.

 

[WhingForPresident]

We take racism seriously in this country

I don't understand the point being made?

 

[HawkTheSeagull]

Cant really call him a "racist tosser" when Drenthe has just made a "claim" - it isnt proven at all.

2 questions - why has he only just came out and said that Messi has been racist and if it did happen, why was it not reported to the referee at the time ?

 

[swindonseagull]

Negrito is also an ethnic group in the Philippines.....I think you can work out what they look like...

 

[DTES]

2 questions - why has he only just came out and said that Messi has been racist and if it did happen, why was it not reported to the referee at the time ?

I am absolutely CERTAIN that the timing is nothing to do with the fact that, as the article also points out, his contract is about to expire and so he needs to be found by a new club.

 

[Hillian1]

Someone lock Gus in a cupboard. Do it, do it now.

This, in large amounts THIS.

If the media ask Gus a question about this and he starts his answer with, "Well in South America it is seen as" someone should pull the lead out of the wall.

 

[WhingForPresident]

No point complaining about it in Spain

This was in an interview with a Dutch magazine. Still a valid point though.