Fox Sports Australia have landed themselves in a racism storm for an insensitive post to their ‘Fox Football’ Facebook page.
With the entire football world being swept by the heated fight between Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic during the Milan derby that came as part of a Coppa Italia tie, Fox Sports AUS chimed in…
In their efforts to share a clip of the shock incident to their audience, they used a monkey emoji alongside some of the more vicious quotes that came via Lukaku.
This is shocking, perhaps the most alarming aspect is that for some reason someone found it suitable to use the emoji of a monkey covering their mouth, when one exists of a normal human doing so.
Fox Sports Australia swiftly deleted the post to their Fox Football Facebook page.
See More: Video: ‘I will shoot you in the head’ – Final words from Romelu Lukaku to Zlatan Ibrahimovic in fight heightened by Swede’s apparent jokes about ex-teammate’s mother
Here is how some social media users, most of which football fans, have reacted to the incident:
Uh..this is pure racism..someone needs to pay for this. Dire consequences are needed.
— MOHALE MAHLATSE (@tha_LuckyML) January 27, 2021
People here saying it’s just an emoji, get over it and we forcing racism. Easy to say when you haven’t been a victim of racism or been called a monkey and have bananas thrown at you.
— Si Señor (@vdm1_) January 27, 2021
I feel like this requires a good ol’ “We demand an investigation into the racism of Fox Sports…”
— Robby (mad dog) Anderson (@Rander69) January 27, 2021
That’s so bad, they could’ve literally just used the ? emoji
— Riley (@Blonded711) January 27, 2021
Someone going full racist to get Uncle Rupert’s attention.
— Jason Mountney (@JasonMountney) January 27, 2021
Definitely happy with my decision to ditch @FOXFOOTBALL subscription.
— Jason (@pushiepedlar) January 27, 2021
The rest of the Australian sports media should actually be pushing for answers following this, they can’t be seen to allow something like this to go unpunished.
The fact that this comes from an outlet that carry the name of one of the world’s biggest sports broadcasters and has not been officially commented on is very concerning.