Coverage of China and Australia’s women’s international football friendly has been slammed for racism.
Australia’s international women’s team, also known as Matlidas, beat China 3-0 in the international friendly held in Melbourne.
Sam Kerr stole headlines for her incredible strike, cementing Australia’s victory on Wednesday night.
In the Guardian‘s live coverage of the match, a “final thoughts” conclusion was offered. The text read, “Sam Kerr will take the headlines, deservedly so, but that was a pretty complete team performance from Alen Stajcic’s side.”
The text then goes on to read, “a few chinks at the back aside, they gave no indication that China could get into the game, despite the visitors’ clear talent in their ranks.”
Although “chinks” in this regard may not carry explicit racist connotations, it certainly seems like a poor choice of words from the established British publication.
Nonetheless, social media users aren’t pleased with the commentary.
“I’m sorry but putting “a few chinks at the back” is unacceptable,” writes Yuanchen on Twitter. “don’t care if it was meant to be in a “different way” but this sort of racism isn’t acceptable. Would you ever use the “n” word in your commentary?”
What are your thoughts? Is this a racist incident? Or is it a case of careless wording? Or perhaps you’re not offended in the slightest? Let us know in the comments section below.
In other news, Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min was seen on camera being racially abused by a West Ham fan.
The incident comes a week after Colombian star Edwin Cardona apologised for his racist gesture during a match against South Korea.
***UPDATE*** The Guardian writer Mike Hytner has since apologised for the post and has “corrected” it accordingly.
Many apologies, I was referring to the gaps in the Australian defence. I'm sorry to those who read it differently and took offence. We've corrected the blog.
— Mike Hytner (@mike_hytner) November 22, 2017
