Language, and the ability to use it effectively, is the lifeblood of journalists. For soccer players, not so much.
But words can carry considerable weight on the field of play, and they have the power to both enlighten and enrage. In the case of the latter, it’s a lesson that Luis Suarez has learned in the court of public opinion.
Earlier this week, Suarez was slapped with an eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, who is black, during an Oct. 15 Premiership match at Anfield. Ever since, English newspapers have dedicated inches and inches of editorial space on the controversy, while Twitter has exploded with comments in support and condemnation for the Uruguayan forward.
Suarez maintains his innocence, and Liverpool has publicly backed him, and plans to appeal the suspension handed down by the English FA.
To hear Suarez’s side of the affair, he did nothing wrong. He admitted to repeatedly calling Evra “negrito” or “black” several times, but cited cultural differences in his defence of using the word, and that its meaning has been lost in translation.
In some South American cultures, the word “negrito” doesn’t always have ugly connotations, and depending on the context and situation, it can be used to mean “buddy,” “friend” or “pal.”
It’s a plausible explanation, but here’s the problem: how is Evra supposed to know that?
Regardless of what “negrito” might mean in Uruguay, the word has a vile and ugly connotation in the Anglo world. As Suarez works and earns a living in England, it’s incumbent upon him to know the cultural mores and community standards of the land. Suarez must adapt to English customs and modify his behaviour accordingly — not the other way around.
And if Suarez didn’t know that before signing with Liverpool, the club should have informed him.
Ignorance is not an acceptable defence, and when examining what transpired between the players at Anfield, it’s crystal clear that the onus was on Suarez to adapt to England’s understanding of what constitutes racial abuse.
Even if we accept Suarez’s explanation about the meaning of “negrito” in his native land, it’s impossible to believe he meant it as compliment, or that there was any misunderstood subtlety or nuance to what he said.
The context of the situation (a heated and tight affair between two Premiership rivals) makes it obvious that by repeatedly making reference to Evra’s skin colour he meant it as a racial epithet and a means to degrade the Manchester United defender.
Kudos to the English FA for seeing through his “lost in translation” defence and for coming down hard on him. The punishment fit the crime, and the FA’s decision sends out a clear message: racist banter will not be tolerated.
This is not to label Suarez a racist. Uttering a racist remark and being a racist can be mutually exclusive.
But the suggestion from Suarez and Liverpool that his use of the word “negrito” was not intended as a racial provocation is, quite simply, laughable.
POLL:
What do you think of Luis Suarez’s 8-game ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra?
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