GAZZETTA DELLO SPORT, one of Italy’s leading sports newspapers, has denied that there were any racist tones to a cartoon which it published depicting Mario Balotelli as King Kong.
Valerio Marini’s drawing, in which the mercurial Manchester City striker is pictured atop Big Ben swatting footballs away, appeared in the build-up to the Azzurri’s quarter-final win against England on Sunday.
The cartoon’s publication was condemned by anti-racism groups and, following complaints from a number of readers, Gazzetta issued a statement which stopped short of a full apology to Balotelli.
”We can honestly say it was not among the best products of our talented cartoonist. At this time, a measure of prudence and good taste are necessary because everything, absolutely everything, can be misunderstood.
”The newspaper is for those who read it and if certain readers found the cartoon offensive, we apologise.
“‘But those that accuse Gazzetta (and poor Marini) of racism are going overboard. This newspaper has fought any form of racism in every stadium and has condemned the boos directed at Balotelli as an unacceptable form of disrespect.”
Italy play Germany in the second Euro 2012 semi-final in Warsaw tomorrow evening.
If it was a white player (say Rooney or Barton) would that make it racist? I took it to be a comment on his skill and temperament. The colour of his skin is surely incidental?
Probably completely correct Mary but far too naive for the world we live in! Maybe in a few thousand years if we’ve all blended into one colour we can leave this behind us!
Explain the bit about him being depicted as a giant ape. I don’t see any ape in the drawing at all. You are making assumptions, and you know what happens when you make those?
Keeping in mind that a lot of the racist abuse in Euro 2012 was in the form of monkey chants, including at Balotelli.
But it wasn’t Rooney or Barton, was it?. It was black player. Why do some people failt to see racism when it is obvious?
They should of had Rooney as the king of the travellers..
OOh racism, how racist. Who gives a flying puck?
I dont see it as racsim..in my eyes he is supose to be sittin on top of big ben..ie italy won the match against england and the news paper thinks he is the king…nothin bad about that..
The message in this cartoon seems pretty straight forward to me. Balotelli, like King Kong, is attacked from all sides (by fans, team-mates, opponents, managers, media etc) whilst trying to conquer Big Ben, in place of the Empire State building, a symbol of England. nNothing racist there just a tired and fairly unoriginal metaphor.
Why can’t we all just get along?
The people complaining about this are the racists – think about it, if it was a white player nothing would be said. Therefore, the basis and origin of this racism starts with the ones who were offended by the image.
It’s like when a black person says to a non-black person “it’s because I’m black, isn’t it” – he wouldn’t be saying that if he was talking to another black person. Most racism starts in people’s heads as a reaction to perceived racism.
No it isn’t like when a black person says to a non-black person “it’s because I’m black, isn’t it”. Obviously a statement that comes to your small mind because you feel it puts you on the spot. No, it’s like a white person telling you You remind me of an ape. The You in question never, taht’s N-E-V-E-R, being white.
Sooooo demeaning. They should’ve depicted him as Joey Barton as King Cong (we spell it Cong here in Mayo because of his Irish roots) was nice.
Poor form I think…. If you found it offensive then we apologize, implying if you didn’t find it offensive then we have nothing to be sorry about… What exactly was the message the cartoon was trying to convey anyway? Mario characterized as an ape conquering big Ben … What the? nnWill be interested to hear James Richardson from the guardian ….