Comments on: Darren Bent’s mum: an update on the “racial slur” incident

By: peter lee

peter lee — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:44:17 +0000

when i lived in brixton in the early 1990′s . . . and i’m white . . . i was racially abused HUNDREDS of times in the street by ethnic gentlemen who took exception to the fact i was white . . . .it was no big deal, rather a sad, pathetic reflection on society.

the same still stands, it is wrong to verbally abuse anyone, but there will always be a minority who will be more than happy to do so, regardless of whether its connected to football or not…

I feel far too much is made of it nowadays and taking things into context, this matter is being blown right out of proportion, maybe because it is the mother of our star player ? sure the lad needs a stern talking to and needs to issue a heart felt apology, but lifetime bans, prison, public humiliation….give me a break.

this does not harm the name of sunderland football club and i’m sure not a game passes anywhere in the country where worse abuse is seen and heard , but nothing done about it ?

Like or Dislike: 0 3

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:38:20 +0000

This has a lot to do with the BNP. Are you trying to tell me that someone who is prepared walk by a person in a social situation and use possibly the most offensive word in the english language for black people n****R within her earshot, for a bit of a daft laugh is not a full on racist and probable BNP member/supporter. The suggestion is laughable and an insult to anyone with even several brains cells.

Given the people involved, I refuse to accept that this incident be taken in isolation and I will only be satisfied if the guilty suffers the strictest possible punishment applicable for racist behaviour at a football match. The kickitout campaign has been endorsed by all clubs and professional footballers and it’s situations like this where a players mother has had to suffer a grave insult, action has to be taken or the campaign loses legitimacy.

What’s more we don’t want sunderland football club to become a haven and playground for BNP activism, that can only be detrimental to the club.

Like or Dislike: 1 0

By: Gavin Frater

Gavin Frater — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:23:41 +0000

Re Graham Snell

Are you for real?

Its this kind of incident that sullies the name of all Sunderland fans. Whether its alleged harmless banter or directed at an individual it is never acceptable.

I hope that the fan is found, and banned from the all future Sunderland games. There is no place for this kind of behaviour in life never mind in football.

Like or Dislike: 1 0

By: matt

matt — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:43:16 +0000

why are we saying stuff about BNP?? at the end of the day this guy has set rumours rife that the north east especially s’land is full of racists. this prat shud cum out apologise to Mrs Bent, Darren and anyone else offended….also this could drive away Darren from our club and players thinkin of coming up here may think twice, i know this point is very minor when you consider the bigger picture but still worth a mention, i think…..Sorry Bent family on behalf of all Sunderland fans, you have our full support

Like or Dislike: 2 0

By: Pete Sixsmith

Pete Sixsmith — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:35:48 +0000

What a sad state of affairs this all is. Why do people have to say things like that? It’s got nothing to do with freedom of speech, it’s just down to ignorance and arrogance. Terrible blow to our clubs image and to the self esteem of our supporters. Makes me want to crawl into a corner.

Like or Dislike: 1 0

By: mackem 95

mackem 95 — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:34:15 +0000

This has nothing to do with bnp, it was just a drunkin idiot who decided to shout abuse at mrs bent. The man did say it directly to her and it happened OUTSIDE the pub and BEFORE the game. the police had the chance to arrest him then but they let him go obviously without taking his name otherwise they wouldn’t need witnesses.

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By: Mackem-Don

Mackem-Don — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:34:16 +0000

We all know that members of the BNP are within our support group so why deny it ? They have been there a long time and wont go away. I suppose its a democracy in which we live. These sort of comments aimed at black players are rife at matches for years.

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By: mackem 95

mackem 95 — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:05:50 +0000

i was there on saturday and right behind what happened. it didn’t take place in a bar, infact the lad walked passed mrs bent and coughed under his breath n****R. shirley bent then turned back and got the police to come and find the supporters who had entered a bar outside the ground. A friend of the man who said it then held up the police not telling them who had said it even though he knew, eventually the police found out and had a serious talk to the offender.

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By: salutsunderland

salutsunderland — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:17:51 +0000

The misreporting is lamentable, as I’ve said elsewhere, and Darren Bent seems to some extent to be responsible for that, or for not clearing up the confusipn. But if a player who has a household name alleges publicly that his mother was subjected to racial abuse at or around a match, it’s not hype but a proper function of democracy that it should be aired.

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By: Mackem-Don

Mackem-Don — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:36:11 +0000

I cannot believe all the hype about this, what has the guy actually said, as in directly to Bent’s mother ? Nothing it seems was said directly to her.

Maybe they think this sort of thing doesnt happen down south ? Maybe they should have stopped there.

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