Was Herschelle Gibbs Unfairly Banned?
Dictionary.com states a definition of "racism" as being "discrimination or prejudice based on race." Do you know what Herschelle Gibbs actually mouthed that fateful day? Probably not.
Herschelle Gibbs', supposedly racist, remarks were uttered using the following string of words:
Let me also remind you that the Pakistani supporters in question were the same fools that were hurling missiles, of both the physical and verbal variety, at Gibbs' team mates who were stationed on the boundary.
Given this context, I cannot find too much fault with a man for affording the "animal" label to nincompoops who have broken through the bottom of the barrel - leave alone merely scraping it. To be brutally honest, I would be disgusted if a player did not offer a similar reaction if he had witnessed his team mate being abused in a similar manner.
Secondly, I fail to understand which part of Gibbs' comments refer to the race/colour/religious beliefs of the offending party. In this situation, how and why has he been banned under ICC regulations that are designed to punish cricketers for race-related offences?
My previous article will testify to the truth that I dislike Herschelle Gibbs for his earlier misdemeanors. However, looking at this episode from an objective and impartial angle I cannot, for the life of me, understand why his comments have ignited such heated debate, fuelled such impassioned ridicule and cost him his place in the South African team for two international matches, plus a Twenty20 International.
Does anybody have any faith left in cricket administrators after this episode and the sham that was the Pakistani drug taking investigation and trials? I certainly will not be holding my breath for any semblance of logic in forthcoming announcements.
Herschelle Gibbs', supposedly racist, remarks were uttered using the following string of words:
"f***ing bunch of f***ing animals"and that Pakistani supporters should also:
"f**k off back to the zoo"
Let me also remind you that the Pakistani supporters in question were the same fools that were hurling missiles, of both the physical and verbal variety, at Gibbs' team mates who were stationed on the boundary.
Given this context, I cannot find too much fault with a man for affording the "animal" label to nincompoops who have broken through the bottom of the barrel - leave alone merely scraping it. To be brutally honest, I would be disgusted if a player did not offer a similar reaction if he had witnessed his team mate being abused in a similar manner.
Secondly, I fail to understand which part of Gibbs' comments refer to the race/colour/religious beliefs of the offending party. In this situation, how and why has he been banned under ICC regulations that are designed to punish cricketers for race-related offences?
My previous article will testify to the truth that I dislike Herschelle Gibbs for his earlier misdemeanors. However, looking at this episode from an objective and impartial angle I cannot, for the life of me, understand why his comments have ignited such heated debate, fuelled such impassioned ridicule and cost him his place in the South African team for two international matches, plus a Twenty20 International.
Does anybody have any faith left in cricket administrators after this episode and the sham that was the Pakistani drug taking investigation and trials? I certainly will not be holding my breath for any semblance of logic in forthcoming announcements.
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