Tommy Tainant
Diamond Member
A Russian soccer team hired a black player. After fans attacked his race, he was fired.
Last week, it seemed like Erving Botaka-Yobama had gotten his big break.
The 19-year-old soccer player was signed on July 14 by Torpedo Moscow, a club that plays in Russia's third division. But just six days later, his contract was terminated — and critics say it's because Botaka-Yobama is black.
Though Botaka-Yobama was born and raised in Russia, his parents are Congolese. His signing was met with a torrent of hate from some of Torpedo's hardcore fans. “There may be black in our team's colors, but there is only white in our supporters ranks,” wrote a group called the Zapad-5 Ultras on VK, Russia's equivalent of Facebook, according to the Moscow Times. Another post threatened the player, according to the Sun, a British tabloid: “Since you consider it acceptable to come into our home and our family without regard for our rules and traditions, we reserve that same right. ... We will see who comes out on top.”
Yes, now the show is over its back to normal for our Russian friends.
Last week, it seemed like Erving Botaka-Yobama had gotten his big break.
The 19-year-old soccer player was signed on July 14 by Torpedo Moscow, a club that plays in Russia's third division. But just six days later, his contract was terminated — and critics say it's because Botaka-Yobama is black.
Though Botaka-Yobama was born and raised in Russia, his parents are Congolese. His signing was met with a torrent of hate from some of Torpedo's hardcore fans. “There may be black in our team's colors, but there is only white in our supporters ranks,” wrote a group called the Zapad-5 Ultras on VK, Russia's equivalent of Facebook, according to the Moscow Times. Another post threatened the player, according to the Sun, a British tabloid: “Since you consider it acceptable to come into our home and our family without regard for our rules and traditions, we reserve that same right. ... We will see who comes out on top.”
Yes, now the show is over its back to normal for our Russian friends.