Albasini racist?

[luckyboy]

Report that he called Kevin Reza a 'dirty negro' while they were in the break of stage 16.
Bernadeau said they met and the matter is closed, Albasini blamed it as a misunderstanding. Hard to really see how that phrase can be lost in translation.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/07/news/racism-tour-misunderstanding_337982

 

[maxmartin]

I read that article. He definitely said something in English. I guess.

 

[orangerider]

Not sure what the deal is, but if it was a racist comment he should be ejected by the race officials with a lifetime ban. Lowest of the low.

 

[rhubroma]

Yes he is.

 

[yespatterns]

Racism sucks, and judging from everyone's comments, something ignorant was said. Nothing excuses that behavior, especially not riding a bike at a fast pace. Albisini can suck it long, and suck it hard.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Not sure what the deal is, but if it was a racist comment he should be ejected by the race officials with a lifetime ban. Lowest of the low.

Lifetime ban is quite harsh but I agree a suspension would have been fair if Albasini did use that term.

 

[SafeBet]

I heard commentators discussing it on RAI yesterday but they wouldn't tell the words he said. Now that I know them, well that's unacceptable. There must be a fine and a suspension.

 

[Jagartrott]

He's Swiss, what do you expect?

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Does UCI rules against racism? or what is their stance?

 

[Kwibus]

Allthough we never know for sure I doubt that Reza would make this up.

Very sad and dissapointed in Albasini. He instantly leads my riders list of dislike.

 

[Netserk]

Allthough we never know for sure I doubt that Reza would make this up.

I also doubt he'd make it up, but there certainly is a real possibility that he misunderstood Albasini. I'm certain he/they abused him, but I'm not certain it was racist.

Surely the other breakaway riders heard what was said, no? I'd like to hear what they heard.

 

[SKSemtex]

What about: innocent until proven guilty?

I am not telling this is the case here but I saw it so easy many time before. It is very easy to destroy someone reputation with this "racism"

Any whitnesses?

Each story has usually two sides.

 

[RedheadDane]

The way I understood it Albasini was seriously ****ed off at Reza, and said something which was incredibly stupid. Once tempers had cooled down he realised how stupid he'd been he went to talk with Reza, they shook hands and... everything's fine.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

What about: innocent until proven guilty?

I am not telling this is the case here but I saw it so easy many time before. It is very easy to destroy someone reputation with this "racism"

Any whitnesses?

Each story has usually two sides.

1+
It´s unbelievable how people, grown up in western democracies (I guess the most posters are), just forget about the simplest principles (innocent until proven guilty) when some underdog incriminates some one else with racism. If Albasini indeed said it, ok, ban or fine him. But without evidence hanging him is the lowest of the low. Some of you guys who prejudge Albasini would all make good dictators in a 3rd world country, or just get lost there as a simple soldier doing the dirty stuff.
It´s disgusting...

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

Don't see any issue here at all. If it's fine for the riders themselves now why bother?

But ok, demanding lifetime bans just for random hearsay rumours is more fun.

 

[simoni]

This is difficult ground.

On the one hand racism DOES matter. Even if individuals are prepared to let things go it sets a dangerous precedent "reza was ok with it so you shoud be too". We can't go down that road - people should be protected on a consistent basis.

On the other hand, similar to the Luis Suarez racism thing, allowances need to be made for differing levels of tolerance in different countries. By all accounts, the things Suarez said were inconsequential in Uruguayan terms, and from what I understand from family members who live in Switzerland, general levels of tolerance/respect etc. there are somewhat different to what we might expect in my country. Where there are no stated rules/regulations in the sport how do we go about sanctioning someone? To say nothing of language barriers and the like (and that's ignoring the fact that we don't know for sure what was said).

 

[Der Effe]

He's Swiss, what do you expect?

To not have an opinion.

Don't see any issue here at all. If it's fine for the riders themselves now why bother?

Sorry, but this is infinity times more clueless than asking for a lifelong ban.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

What about: innocent until proven guilty?

I am not telling this is the case here but I saw it so easy many time before. It is very easy to destroy someone reputation with this "racism"

Any whitnesses?

Each story has usually two sides.

Brilliant.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Sorry, but this is infinity times more clueless than asking for a lifelong ban.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

He's Swiss, what do you expect?

Anyone else spot the irony of a comment like this in the discussion of an accusation of racism?

 

[el chava]

He's Swiss, what do you expect?

yup, all swiss are racists.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

That makes you an racist against the swiss.

 

[manafana]

A strange one but up to Reza if he wants to follow it up.

for me the bigger issue is racism in other ways how countries threat the other nations with bias etc. The Russians slagging of Grivko for me just as bad if not worse.

 

[el chava]

Anyone else spot the irony of a comment like this in the discussion of an accusation of racism?

yep, I hope that was ironic. Seriously though, people should relax. It was a stupid comment from Albasini, but I doubt this guy is an apartheid propagandist.

There's definitely elements of racism in cycling, which needs to be adressed, but what people yell at each other in the heat of the moment is another thing.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

A strange one but up to Reza if he wants to follow it up.

for me the bigger issue is racism in other ways how countries threat the other nations with bias etc. The Russians slagging of Grivko for me just as bad if not worse.

It´s all about what is political correct and what not. And people felt into the trap... yet again.