Michail Antonio spot on 👏👏👏pic.twitter.com/ofHCfJyuyh
— COYIrons (@COYIronscom) February 10, 2022
Mikey Antonio has been quick to give his view on the Kurt Zouma affair in a highly perceptive answer to a reporter’s question.
We can find absolutely nobody who would condone what the central defender has done and we have said we intend putting this to bed as much as possible following something of an overkill in media coverage.
But Mike makes a serious point in the clip above when facing questions on the affair and he also makes it crystal clear he is not raising any sort of defence for his fellow Hammer.
What we find particularly impressive is his attitude in which he remains entirely calm and collected whilst discussing and making a point on an issue very close to his heart. However, maybe it needs to be added that racism has after all had huge coverage for months and months – rightly in our view and animal rights is a very important issue to many many people and so far has had three days coverage.
Most of what needs to be said about this affair has been said and in the absence of the club itself making its own position clear from the start it is none the less refreshing to hear an intelligent man giving an intelligent appraisal.
He makes a good point I think about racism. I was already thinking that at least we don’t have an alleged rapist. So things need to be put into perspectve: It was a vey bad thing to do – I just don’t understand it and how it could be one-off.
But it’s the perpetrator that must be punished not the club. If he worked for Barclays Bank he still would have been allowed to go into work and the company would consider his position according to the crime and how it would reflect on them. So if it had been robbery or embezzlement he would probably get the sack. But for cruelty to animals they would most likely let the law run its course. But it would alter the view his workmates had of him.
In West Ham’s case, the club has a perceived public image, and also great pressure from sponsors. These factors weighed against how they would handle this otherwise.
I’ve argued for years that in this country we care more about animals than kids. Hence no outrage over food banks, no outrage over child poverty, no outrage over constantly repeated errors by underfunded social services leading to child abuse. A Prime Minister that believes it is acceptable to make a cheap political point by implying an opponent protected one of the worst child abusers this country has ever known. A child abuser protected in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s by the very establishment the PM represents. And as to Mikey’s point racism still tolerated in many walks of life.
Zouma’s behaviour is rightly criticised and he will be punished further; however he is fantastic news for a biased media who are doing all to distract from the issues that are driving standards in this country to the gutter. Kurt, BJ will probably give you a medal for this.
Sorry but you are totally wrong about foodbanks, child poverty underfunded social services, and may I add homelessness all of which have grown under right wing govts and Johnson’s partygate and Saville comment. Disconcerting you can think that way when many of of us on the left have spent our lives activating against such things
Sorry folks. Any defence of what is regarded as a criminal act, cannot be justified by arguing what is worse or not.
One can then also throw in compare this animal offence with lockdown parties … and ask what is worse?
No sir. Best answer is no answer !!!
And surely West Ham should have informed staff and players not too comment on this extremely sensitive subject ???
Once again Antonio should concentrate on re-firing his form and goal scoring. That’s what WH needs right now.
More goals and more wins to strongly cement the 4th spot for ourselves.
So, Simonm, the people this affects more are not allowed an opinion but it’s ok for everybody else to have their say.
Either I’ve written my post really badly or you’ve misread it. I’m on the left but slightly to the right of the wife who is a country mile left of Lenin. My point is there should be daily outrage in the media about the fact that food banks etc and other failings. The reality is there isn’t and Zouma’s actions are outrageous, but give the politicians a few more days grace to hide from the other stuff. Thanks though, this is the first time anyone has implied I may be on the right 👍
I’m with the missus but let’s remember a famous footballer is bound to receive this amount of coverage mate. Left to me if I had the means I’d be producing a week;y paper doing exactly as you say
Exactly. People have lost sense of proportionality and the nuance. Everything seen through a black and white (no reference to race intended) lense.
Mind you for balance we all turn attention to the things we are most passionate about Master and racism has had huge coverage for months and months
If a prominent footballer (or indeed any footballer) had made racist remarks on social media I can’t imagine any club would have selected them for the next match.
There has been less press about Players involved with Rape and Paedophile activity, than there has been about this case. Zouma was cruel and and a fool, but the the Crusade being run by the Sun and the BBC to name but two, is nothing short of persecution.
The criminal act carried out by Zouma is hard to accept for an animal lover like me who supports west ham , but he has been fined and had the cats taken away plus lost sponsorships and he has apologised that’s enough I think along with the stigma he will now have to live with.
But people from this and other countries along with tv and sport personalities are clamouring for him to be sacked, jailed etc, and even politicians are getting on the wagon, probably trying to score points with the public, BUT how many are watching the winter Olympics in CHINA whilst conveniently forgetting the vile trade in dog and cat meat including festivals where dogs are thrown onto barbecues still alive and whimpering in pain from the fire and cats dropped I to boiling fwater alive ,, yet no protests and boycott of the games just sit there with your cuppa watching that whilst tut tuting Zouma . No screaming protests at the faroe islanders hacking intelligent mammals to death for no finance or food survival in todays society of collective alternative resources and faroe have sports persons competing in the wider spectrum.
SO COME ON get real , he’s was bang out of order like his brother filming it and laughing.
Investigate the act come to a conclusion and carry out the penalty and get on with life .
It’s not sackable or Chinese, Korean, Thai, etc , players would be looking for jobs in their respective sports around this world
It’s a good point by Antonio both are crimes, the punishment should be the same. The club could give him a long suspension and set an example.