FIA condemns Hamilton abuse at Barcelona

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Formula One racing's governing body, the FIA, has publically condemned events during last weekend's test at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, after it was claimed McLaren's Lewis Hamilton was subjected to racist abuse.?The FIA is surprised and disappointed at the abuse directed at Lewis Hamilton,? a spokesman told reporters over the weekend. ?Abuse of this kind is a clear breach of the principles enshrined in the FIA statutes and any repetition will result in serious sanctions.?

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[Salty25]

I was shocked to see this, I genuinely believed that the world of motorsport was above this. Today really is a sad day for F1, far sadder than spygate. The abuse can be found by clicking here (caution: may offend).

 

[rolfw]

Yes, if the Spanish racing authorities do not act quickly and firmly, it could see the disappearance of the Spanish races.

The Spanish football association failed to act when their head coach made racist remarks and a similar failure to act in this case could be far reaching and will not look good for Spain as a whole, even though, it is obviously a bigoted minority causing the problem.

 

[Salty25]

Yes, if the Spanish racing authorities do not act quickly and firmly, it could see the disappearance of the Spanish races.

The Spanish football association failed to act when their head coach made racist remarks and a similar failure to act in this case could be far reaching and will not look good for Spain as a whole, even though, it is obviously a bigoted minority causing the problem.

The booing at the Spain-England game came from a very sizable contingent of the Bernabeu crowd, from what I remember.

I think it is getting to the stage now where black players, and their team mates and opponents, should walk off the field and abandon the match. That is the only way FIFA/UEFA will get the message.

Thankfully, F1 doesn't, up to now, have any sort of problem, but the FIA should take very strict steps to ensure it does not ever occur again.

 

[jimbo]

If UK supporters of any sport produced that kind of thing in a crowd abroad, there would be baton charges aimed at them and they would take plenty of physical punishment. It begs the question about institutional racism in Spain when their police don't do anything to stop their own people.

 

[rolfw]

The booing at the Spain-England game came from a very sizable contingent of the Bernabeu crowd, from what I remember.

I was referring to the whole population of Spain Salty, not the crowd in the stadium, there was I agree a sizeable minority involved there.

 

[Salty25]

If UK supporters of any sport produced that kind of thing in a crowd abroad, there would be baton charges aimed at them and they would take plenty of physical punishment. It begs the question about institutional racism in Spain when their police don't do anything to stop their own people.

Exactly, we all know if that happened here (not that it ever will), say during a Champions League game, the team hosting would be banned from hosting games for 12 months at least. And quite rightly too.

But why can't ALL countries be treated the same?

I was referring to the whole population of Spain Salty, not the crowd in the stadium, there was I agree a sizeable minority involved there.

Oh, the majority of Spain are not racist. However, as is the case in Italy and East Europe, there is a racist element within the 'ultra' and wider general crowd and football games. Why do FIFA/UEFA continue sweep this under the carpet?

If I was in charge, I'd have one simple, strict solution - If there is one occurence in which a sizeable number of the crowd express racist chanting, that team shall for that season have to play the remainder of their European home matches at the opponent's ground, thus the team would always be playing away games, and that team's fans would be banned from attending.

 

[Topper]

As they were Fernando Alonso supporters I think he should be made to give a press statement condemning such racial abuse, but I'll lay odds he does not:-Nooo

 

[rolfw]

He shouldn't be made to, he should do it without prompting, but as you say, he probably won't, which speaks volumes.