26 replies to this topic

[hackmeister]

3 game suspension, undisclosed fine and forced to go to "diversity" training:
http://www.mlssoccer...eattle-incident

[UpstateFan]

Absolutely bonkers punishment. A fine would get the point across just fine. Does anyone actually think Clark called him that because he thinks the boy is a homosexual and wanted to insult his sexual orientation?

[JayJeeMoNee]

Absolutely bonkers punishment. A fine would get the point across just fine. Does anyone actually think Clark called him that because he thinks the boy is a homosexual and wanted to insult his sexual orientation?

That isn't so much the point as the league making a strong statement against discriminatory language, as they should. But looking at it from a non-PR POV, I completely agree -- a fine would have been just.....fine. I think the diversity training thing is BS.

[Quema]

Does anyone actually think Clark called him that because he thinks the boy is a homosexual and wanted to insult his sexual orientation?

I don't think anyone thinks that, but I also don't think that's even remotely the point.
First of all, why is he calling a CHILD a f**cking anything? MLS cannot possibly condone its employees using any sort of abusive language towards children.
Beyond that, does anyone actually think that calling a child a f***ot, regardless of the child's actual sexual orientation, is acceptable behavior?

Given the widespread view of professional sports as decidedly intolerant of homosexuality, MLS is clearly trying to show that they are not intolerant by using Clark's actions to set an example. I don't really have a problem with that. Setting aside the fact that the target of his verbal abuse was a kid, his words are just not acceptable. There are undoubtedly people involved in MLS--be it players, coaches, training staff, referees, nutrionists, whatever--that are gay, and MLS has an obligation to ensure a tolerant work environment for all of its employees.

This is slightly off the point, but considering that the two biggest taboos in sports are homosexuality and mental illness, and that homosexual and mentally ill people are much more likely to attempt or commit suicide than other people, and that at least 11 current or former soccer players have killed themselves within the last three years, I will applaud anything MLS does or attempts to do that will help reduce those taboos within the league and hopefully within the league's audience.

[gears]

If he didn't go over & apologize to the ball boy at the next break in play, everything else is bullshit.

He did, apparently. He made the initial mistake of cursing the kid, but I applaud him for immediately recognizing the problem and doing his best to make up for it.

“He knew he said something wrong, but he didn’t wait for someone to tell him to go apologize. No, he went to the kid immediately and apologized to him,” Cameron continued. “I hope people look at that because it was one of those things that he regrets and we support him as a team.”

[JBigjake54]

He did, apparently. He made the initial mistake of cursing the kid, but I applaud him for immediately recognizing the problem and doing his best to make up for it.
“He knew he said something wrong, but he didn’t wait for someone to tell him to go apologize. No, he went to the kid immediately and apologized to him,” Cameron continued. “I hope people look at that because it was one of those things that he regrets and we support him as a team.”

If there is some video, showing that he went over to the ball boy, and the kid confirms that there was an apology, there should be no suspension.
Does the league actually mandate any training about a prohibition on verbal abuse, to players & staff?

[JayDelight729]

Fine and suspension... ok, setting an example.

Diversity training? I'm sorry, but I don't feel this is necessary. Is going to a class going to change his mind or what he said? What's the point of this?

[GMoney]

He did, apparently. He made the initial mistake of cursing the kid, but I applaud him for immediately recognizing the problem and doing his best to make up for it.

“He knew he said something wrong, but he didn’t wait for someone to tell him to go apologize. No, he went to the kid immediately and apologized to him,” Cameron continued. “I hope people look at that because it was one of those things that he regrets and we support him as a team.”

Did he. Cameron is sticking up for his teammate. Did Clark actually say he went right over?


Some folks really make me laugh. It's OK to put down some groups, right? Others, not so much? If Clark had called a black ballboy a bad name, would anybody be sticking up for him? I think not.

People are funny.

[Thomas A Fina]

Fine and suspension... ok, setting an example.

Diversity training? I'm sorry, but I don't feel this is necessary. Is going to a class going to change his mind or what he said? What's the point of this?

Probably not, but it does show that the company itself is actively taking steps to combat this and thus could not be considered to be fostering an atmosphere of discriminatory behavoir. Basically it's a CYA to prevent lawsuits that most companies would implement

[BlancDaBody]

Absolutely bonkers punishment. A fine would get the point across just fine. Does anyone actually think Clark called him that because he thinks the boy is a homosexual and wanted to insult his sexual orientation?

True. Kobe said the same shit, and just got fined. Clark is probably worse for the wear because he said it to a kid and not to an opposing player under the "heat of the game". It's much tougher to explain something like that away.

[JayDelight729]

True. Kobe said the same shit, and just got fined. Clark is probably worse for the wear because he said it to a kid and not to an opposing player under the "heat of the game". It's much tougher to explain something like that away.

I think the fact that it was a kid is the main difference here.

[betoAYAK]

I lol'ed.