Richard Keys ‘Choco Jocko’ Race Row – It has emerged that everyone’s least favourite person, Richard Keys, has been at it again. On the eve of his broadcasting comeback with TalkSport – after he and Andy Gray were involved in a sexism row with Sian Massey – Keys has been caught out, this time for making racist comments.
Richard Keys ‘Choco Jocko’ Race Row
My mind returns to those shocking comments made by Ron Atkinson in 2004 about Marcel Desailly, and I cannot understand why find myself writing about another racist incident in football. Seriously.
Richard Keys. a man who is the envy of many a person with the job he has had (not to mention the money he makes) has already had to resign from Sky after he and Andy Gray were caught making a series of off-air sexist remarks about assistant referee Sian Massey.
It transpires that, in a conversation with Sky Sports pundits Ray Wilkins and Graeme Souness, Keys called black player David Johnson a ‘choco Jocko’.
I just want to be clear that there is no place for racism in the game. No place for racism, period.
Richard Keys tried to defend his actions by saying:
I absolutely refute any suggestion of any racism.This was off-air and 11 years ago and anyone who knows me knows that Ruud Gullit, Dion Dublin and Ian Wright are not only my past associates but some of my best friends.
I’m sorry, but just because time has passed and you have black friends, this does not in any way make it ok to make such comments. It makes you wonder what else he says when the cameras are not on him.
David Johnson is said to be ‘very disappointed by this latest discovery. Stating that he would have been furious to have heard Richard Keys say such a thing.
Keys was said to have called Johnson a ‘Choco Jocko’ in relation to the Jamaica-born player wanting to play for Scotland when the remarks where made.
Sky refused to comment as Keys is no longer an employee.
Richard Keys ‘Choco Jocko’ Race Row – Random Forest readers had a lot to say on the sexism row…what do you have to say about the racist remarks made by Richard Keys?
*Update – Unfortunately some of the comments being made on this thread are not being allowed by the admin here. If you absolutely must use such language, then please feel free to take this to the discussion where I invite you to speak freely.
Leave him alone, time does matter, that was 11 yrs ago, I’m sure youve done stuff in the past you regret and want people to forget about… Leave the story alone, hes gone from Sky, why do you care anymore
It was eleven years ago, and undoubtedly a joke. It also doesn’t seem particularly offensive. Oh, and once again, IT WAS OFF AIR! Get a bloody grip.
This remark was made several years ago, and we should not be so damn precious.This comment was made pff-line, and quite frankly it is pathetic if it is to be brought up now.Where is the harm?? Our pc society, encouraged by people like you has become suffocating. You, Nigel Bonn, are the one destroying our society, you creep.
Thanks for your input, Mr. Williams. But…do you think it acceptable to call someone a ‘Choco Jocko’? Look a little closer and you might just see where the harm is!
I apologise for destroying your society but, in my world, Racism is unacceptable.
For once I fancy actually commenting on something. Should attempt to explain myself a little. Just stumbled on this, and I stayed because I love reading insane comments section rants – tend to be far more interesting to me than the topic they’re ‘commenting’ on. I doubt I’ll be returning to this page, so any replies will likely go unread by me. Before any political mud is slung, I’m not a lefty or righty.. Just a bit of a pedant who likes to try and look at things from a calm and rational manner, aiming to be as unbiased and uncynical as possible. So, lets look at the definitions. Is this racist?
Google definitions has racism as this:
# the prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races
# discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race
The only way this comment could fit into this is as a discriminatory remark. There’s nothing here to suggest he believes in racial superiority or that he was aiming to be abusive, considering the situation it was said in. So is this discrimination?
Google’d again.
# unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice
# the cognitive process whereby two or more stimuli are distinguished
I would argue that, no, it doesn’t necessarily fit. If we used the 2nd definition you could claim that simply realising that caucasian’s have, what we perceive to be, a paler skin pigmentation as racism. I would risk assuming that this is a form of discrimination that as a whole will be deemed acceptable as long as the comment is truthful and doesn’t fit the preceding definition. So, by the 1st description.. Does Key’s comment fit that? He made what some, seemingly you, would deem an unacceptable comment, and may argue to be unfair treatment. However, It strikes me as unlikely to be because of some racial prejudice he may hold – merely a cheeky/risqué/whatever jokey comment. Whether you find it funny or not is not of concern in this matter. Just if Key’s intended it as a joke. To judge it as malign requires more evidence than our opinions. And before any attempt is made, no his recent ‘sexist’ faux-pas is not enough evidence to support any notion of racism ahaha. It would be highly cynical to suggest he did so, seeing as we have no way to prove this was based on prejudice. And is it even unfair treatment? Now, I’d see that it is likely most white players wouldn’t have any comment made about their race..But characteristics are picked up on, regardless of whether they’re ones the people themselves are touchy about. Mentioning race doesn’t automatically equate with racism or suggest a mindset of prejudice. Whether certain people like it or not skin pigmentation is a noticeable characteristic, history seemingly supporting that notion. You may not consider it so, but even if you did it still doesn’t make it fit the definition. Noticing such characteristics doesn’t immediately give any evidence of a like or dislike of it or the person. Looking at the context of the comment that we have,reading it as negativity, there simply isn’t enough information given to be able to meet the definitions.
To summarise, I have made assumptions that you are not witholding information on the matter and that you genuinely believe this is racism. I would reason that you have overreacted to the comment and defined him as a racist unfairly. Simply doesn’t fit the definition as it stands, Risqué being a better fitting term. Whilst it may have upset the man, that doesn’t really signify a racist attitude behind Keys or that his comment actually was racist. What can be taken from it is that he is prone to making controversial comments even 11 years ago and, at most, potentially was racist 11 years ago. Only potentially.
Enjoy the essay xxx
Actually, it does fit into the definitions which you have provided.
Fact 1: The player concerned was of Jamaican origin.
Fact 2: The player wanted to play for (and was eligible to play for) Scotland.
Fact 3: Keys called him “Choco Jocko” in relation to his desire to play for Scotland.
Therefore, the inference (which any objective person would identify) is that the player should be precluded from playing for Scotland on account of his skin colour being “choco”.
This certainly meets limb two of the 1st definition;
“discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race”
because of the suggested ridiculousness that a player of a specific skin colour
should not player for Scotland
Discrimination (from your Google definition) is;
# unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice
# the cognitive process whereby two or more stimuli are distinguished
It is clearly “unfair treatment” to say that a person of Jamaican origin (on account of his skin colour) should be precluded from playing for Scotland as the majority of Scottish players (whether factually or stereotypically) are white.
To make that suggestion is distinguishing two stimuli as per the above definition;
white person = okay to play for Scotland
“choco” person = not okay to play for Scotland
I gather from your name that you are from an ethnic minority…aka anytime someone disagress, argues with you they are deemed racist.
Not really.
Firstly, I didn’t take any issue with the fact that it seems to be a media “witch hunt” and that it was a long time ago and that the man has resigned from Sky etc. So, we should leave him alone.
All I did was note down the definitions that you provided and when I read them, I thought that they might apply.
I stuck to the definitions provided….that’s all.
My parents are Cypriots. So, yeah….you’re right about the name. But what does that matter ? I get frustrated when people use the race card and I think its stupid that people use the race card.
But if I said to a friend “Oh, Theo Wilcott is in the England team tonight” and my friend replies “who Choco Wilco”, then….it’s call for trouble because it infers that a non-white person should not play for England…..despite the fact we beat Denmark last week and the two scorers were “choco bent” and “choco young”.
Ahahaha, I’m back. Guess I was too intrigued to see whether I’d have nutters trolling me. Unfortunately not
Pretty quick response though. Quite simply you’ve made a leap of faith in your assertion that by saying ‘choco jocko’ he is inferring that he at least shouldn’t play for Scotland, let alone because of his ethnicity. It is unsubstantiated cynicism, a subjective opinion you have formed without really knowing what the man was thinking or how he was thinking. It suggests a bias from your end.
To clear things up.. He may well be racist. But this incident, as far as the information we have suggests, wasn’t and still isn’t. Having listened to the comment, I’d say the context is most likely just a bunch of men talking and Key’s making a risque joke.
A minor point, the use of the word ‘period’ in the context used has no place in journalism, period! Pointless witch hunt of an article. Comment made by Keys is clearly unacceptable and our pathetic media needs wood for the fire so let him burn.
Racism is so widespread and so blown up to be worse than what it is. I do not agree with violent racist behaviour at all, but a bit of a racial banter here and there is harmless. Its all these bloody do gooders who take it upon themselves to eradicate jovial digs at our fellow human beings. What about jokes regarding tight-arsed Scots or up themselves Englishmen or completely stupid Irishmen?? And trust me, I know A LOT of Blacks who are so full on racist regarding us Whitefellas..but they can say such things because they are black…. And to completely shock everyone, I call my children “little niggas” “chocolate puddings” and “liqorice allsorts” ….I say it with complete love and affection, because if they ever get called that when they are older, it will be water off a ducks back, and they can laugh it off. I am a white Australian born to Scottish parents, i have 5 half caste children from 2 to 19, their father is Australian Aboriginal, and Im now married to a Canadian and bringing up my 4 youngest and my half NZ Maori/ 1/2 Australian/Aboriginal grandaughter here in Canada….hahaha if thats not a multi racial mixed bunch of allsorts, then i dont know what is…so instead of getting all irate about being called a Choco Jocko…embrace it…its so much nicer than being called a “land grabbing convict English white C**T” which i am Sooooo not…
Nigel Bonn get a life and stop writing about such nonsense. Ask David Johnson if he was hurt by these comments and I am sure he will say no.
Did you even read the article?
It is quite ridiculous to suggest that Richard Keys should be castigated for a private comment made several years go.Get real. Your comments smack of both victimisation and pettiness.
Anything else to add?
nigel you really are an a##hole arent you???? get a life you sad pathetic person!!!!!
Another educated comment. Thanks, Paul.
Wow news must be thin to be writing about this.
Yes racism is unacceptable however this is not racism
He made it off air to his colleagues. If your going to have a go at him lets here everyword you’ve ever said (privatly and publically) in the last 11years shall we Nigel? I doubt you’ve never said a joke (not offencsive comment just a simple remark) or insulted someone before. I’d like to see you handle the pressure and get fired an dstill feel the same way.
People such as yourself are ruining society. Freedom of speech clearly no longer exists- you cant even talk to your friends privatly without being worried it gets published, posted online and you get done for it. Unbelievable, the world would be a better place if you stopped writing, shut up and resinged Nigel Bonn!
Your opinion has been noted, thank you. I am left feeling that somewhere in that comment you actually made a half decent point.
I have parents that were extremely homophobic until I came out and then they realized how ignorant they had been. The point is time, and the people you meet can change you, so to bring something up after 11 years is pointless.
I agree racism should have no place in this world but give the guy a break.
I was beginning to think that nothing good was going to come of this article, but at last we are starting to open up a good debate. Thanks Gary.
So you see this as the media just hitting the man when he is down, do you?
Yeah thats pretty much how I see it. He shouldn’t of said it but it wasn’t talked about then so why talk about it now?
People can change.
Nigel, what you need to understand is if you stole a sweet from a sweet shop your a thief and if you stole it twenty years ago but did not get caught until now you’re still a thief.
Best comment of the day so far, Paul. When you look at things that way then I can start to see why all the haters are attacking me for this article.
Everyone here is basically wanting to let bygones be bygones. Fair enough
Just because it was 11 years ago, doesn’t make it right simple, everyone who says it’s in the past are just as bad as Mr Richard Keys. its all propaganda anyway, he is not sorry or he wouldn’t have said it in the first place and i bet he advocates stamp out racism in football, just another bum on seat BOS.
What a joke this blog post is.
You find a comment 11 years ago and you call him a racist.
I wonder how many people have said something immoral in their lifetime.
It is unbelievable how uneducated and socially inept some people are.
Please grow up.
I’m glad you find it amusing.
That’s strange, I thought you were being serious. Or maybe that’s another sarcastic attempt on someone’s opinion’s?
If you are going to try and be a decent blogger, please have enough balls to stand by your own blog post, even if it is just another trash talking slur on someone’s life without a thought of the irony or hypocrisy of it all.
That was sarcasm, Matthew. I don’t find racism funny.
It is quite ridiculous to suggest that Richard Keys should be castigated for a private comment made several years go.Get real. Your comments smack of both victimisation and pettiness
Can you believe that someone in 2011 would take time out to write this? Yes I do because, racists are everywhere they were there yesterday, today and tomorrow
Pretty much everybody has made a private remark to friends or colleagues that would be deemed unacceptable were it to be a public statement. Leave the man alone, it was 11 years ago for Christ’s sake. the fact Richard Keys has black friends proves he is not a biggot. When I was a kid I had black friends who I’d have banter with, they used to call me a honky sometimes and I’d say equally nasty things back. The point is we were still friends and that’s what counts, not stupid name calling. Get a grip and a life. If everyone who had said something that could be deemed offensive to another person was to get the sack we’d all be out of a job whether black, white, female, male, gay or straight. Twat!!!!
Great comment…right up until your closing remark. I invite you to take this up further in our discussion.
Who the hell is this journalist Nigel Bond? Where does he get off, digging up private (and harmless) remarks made by a fellow journalist ten years ago. What a pillock!
I am he!
Wow is it a slow news day? Get a grip man you twat. This is a non story if ever i heard one.
Very slow. Thanks for taking the time to read, Cawty.
I see your point Nigel. If we dig this thread up in 11 years we’ll still think you’re nuts
HAHAHA. Sam from England…you just made me laugh out loud.
I wrote my last posting before reading everybody else’s and, in particular, young Nigel’s comments on them. That was remiss of me.
Having now read those comments I would like to amend my conclusion. I had called the lad a pillock. I should have said he was an arrogant, fatuous, holier-than-thou, know-all of a pillock.
Pointless argument, perhaps you are suggesting that anyone and everyone that has ever made a sexist or racist comment should be dismissed from their job and harassed for ever.
The pair of them made stupid comments but in this ridiculously PC world we now live in a Blackboard is no longer a blackboard, a Fireman is now a firefighter, actresses are now called actors and anything that could conceivable cause offence to any minority is instantly banned.
Turn your attention to something remotely newsworthy and stop dredging up things that serve no purpose at all.
You should see some of the other stories I have to write about! Judging by the comments here, I think I should take your advice!
I agree entirely with you on the ridiculously PC world in which we live. Thank you for your comment.
Is referring to the colour of someone’s skin automatically racist? If I say to someone ‘See that black man over there?’ have I just been racist by mentioning his skin colour? To me, a comment is racist if it implies that someone is inherently inferior based on the colour of their skin. Calling someone ‘Choco Jocko’ is nothing more than a rather lame joke based on the fact that being the colour of chocolate (which black people are, just as I am the same colour as a Milky Bar) and playing for Scotland allows Richard to make a very tenuous rhyme.
Saying someone is chocolate coloured is no different to making a reference to women having breasts and ginger people having carrot-coloured hair. We shouldn’t assume any malice is intended.
To be fair, if you read some of the replies that Nigel has posted back, I think he realizes that everyone has said something that could be classed as racist or sexist and understands why people are mad at his article. I make jokes that whole time with my black mates and I’m outragously sexist in a joke way AND thats exactly what it is…..a joke!! We, as a nation need to relax a little and stop taking everything so literally. Glad I moved to New Zealand.
Thanks, Dan. I was just reading a great comment from Mark, and can see his point exactly. He said ‘We shouldn’t assume any malice is intended’ which is completely true. I am not ‘holier than thou’ as was suggested by Spike, but I would rather debate the issue as opposed to whether or not people think I am a twat.
I wish you all the best in New Zealand.
This is a somewhat pathetic artical as far as I’m concerned. For a start, I dont think Richard should have been sacked in the first place. The “Sexist” nature of the comment is undeniable, but it was off-air. I think the best way to show what I mean would be took look at something Jeremy Clarkson said a few days ago – Without insults, there is no humor. You can’t have a laugh without insulting someone, somewhere. On top of this, people that actually find this kind of thing offensive really need to loosen up! If Richard was on TV and said “I was on the internet the other day and read a comment from some guy under the Alias “Josh,” He was so stupid!!” – Fair play to the man. I would find it funny. Political correctness seems to just be an attempt to look like the caring, perfectly equal and loving nation we simply are not. Give the man a break, and definitely don’t go back 11 years in time to make somebody look bad.
Its good to see you’ve realised your mistake Nigel. I respect you for that.
mark w, mark and dan made some excellent points.
Maybe your next article could be on “this PC world” which we live in.
…And I appreciate you coming back to follow up on your comment. There have been some great points made in the comments as you so rightly point out. It has made for an interesting Sunday!
As per your suggestion, I think that would be a great article to write. I will make the suggestion. Do you have any other specific points that you would like to see discussed in that article?
….leave the guy alone he did wrong so what this was 11 years ago. if it truly was a big issue it would have been brought up there and then and not 11 years later. talk about kicking someone when theyre in the doghouse already. plus i dont find that to be racist anyway and im black, not everything is racist.
What is the world coming to! Freedom of speech!! where did that go? Too many do gooders with their heads up there Ass is the problem, sensibilty has gone by the wayside now.
Private comments are PRIVATE and if publised, the publisher should have there ass sued for invasion of privacy!!
I wonder about multicutural societys, and if they will ever work, (NOT BEING RACIST) being realistic, culturally we are all differant, and there are problems due to this, when in Rome!! I feel that if one is to live in a country other than there native one, they have to adapt, not the country they move to! The offspring of generations of a native land, should not be asked to do changes to there way of life to accomodate guests.
We have much to learn, and greater powers seem to be involved in this, why would any country pander to the demands of guests otherwise?
great point. I totally agree.
Nigel Bonn your a massive prat. Sod off and write something valuable because at the moment your providing the general public for further reasons to hate the media… idiot
I take it you did not like the article?
If you read some of the other comments then you will see that the general public apparently needs no further reason to hate the media. I will add ‘idiot’ to the list of things that I have been called today.
Lad.
Although this article is pretty shit, you’ve clearly realised this from what you’ve been writing. Fair play, racism shouldn’t be accepted, but people need to see that sometimes its meant as a joke. Wish you the best with your articles, just try to stray away from picking things up 11 years ago, yeah?
all i can say on the matter is : some peolpe are so god damn pathetic that once one comment comes out that was once again OFF AIR – people have to go digging for more, because one is never enough, leave the guy alone FFS. I refer to a comment quote unquote made by jeremey clarkson on top gear about if some of the stuff he’s said OFF AIR was surfaced, he would have been sacked years ago.
We all say things we shouldn’t but just because there in the spot light, its suddenly massive news, like when someone looses a baby, people go awww how sad, but when i loose a baby (though i phsically can’t, but for good measure) you wouldn’t see me posting my story all over the net for people as if im the first person it’s happened too.
So you have to ask your self, where exactly do we stop with this crap, even if he has been out of line, so what, he left sky, he has a new job, or are people digging to get him sacked from TS now?
Iv’e made mistakes, so has he, doesn’t change my opinion on the guy, sky were twats to Keys and Gray, and i wish them all the luck for the future, and hope people can just move on ffs.
Have you got nothing better to do with your time than write this load of sh*te?
It just amazes me you might actually get paid to write this article.
Have you nothing better to do than comment?
now now children…..Play nice or it’s early bedtime for you.
Everybody appears to be accusing Mr. Bonn of victimisation, i think some of the comments aimed towards him are a better example of it. The comments were wrong, the thing is with people on television, they are placed upon ridiculous pedastools and appear angelic infront of our screens, but when the red light is turned off, he is just like the rest of us. We are all subconsciously sexist, racist, ageist until we experience the ignorance ourselves. People who claim not to be are following the media’s cult of making us all think the same and not have an opinion of our own, i personally thought “choco jocko” was fairly clever, ignorant, but clever
Thank you, Sean. Having had the abuse I have had today, I cannot imagine being in a position like Richard Keys!
Its just ridiculous, you mean to tell me that you’ve never joked about how someone looks, i mean people have mocked me for my glasses, my ears, nose, etc… and i bet you’ve done the same at some point. The colour of peoples skin is just another characteristic, when poeple like you blow it all out of proportion, thats when we get anger and aggression. The world is too serious and people should learn to just laugh and say ‘cheap shot’ and return with ‘hey keys nice chubby tummy’. I apologise for the ‘Idiot’ comment it just gets my goat that we don’t even know this guy and we’re going to judge his entire being on two private childish conversations. I know loads of people that have jokingly said racial slurs and i being black have had them made against me, i just turn the other cheek and laugh about it, i suggest the rest of the world does the same. Theres plenty of White people jokes out there people:p
There is always more to a story than meets the eye is what I have learned today. It was certainly not my intention to ‘blow it all out of proportion’. As I just said to Sean, having had the abuse I have had today, I cannot imagine being in his position. You make a very valid point about not knowing him and who are we to judge.
Your apology means a lot to me, Sarah. Thank you. This is exactly the debate I was looking for and I am glad you took time to join in.
I would like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony! It’ll never happen! what goes on behind closed doors should stay behind closed doors.
Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone! I wish we could ALL live by the ten commandments, (BORING) you may say?, but would there be all the problems in society we have to live with now?
Build them up, to knock them down, it is all a game! and when in the public eye, you cannot even break wind, with some comment it would seem. The journalists need to get a life may be?
You said it….Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone! I was waiting for that one, cheers. Also, I have to say that the UK I think more than most other places does have a very big ‘build them up to knock them down’ attitude. Great point! If it had not been someone as high profile as Keys, would it have gained so much attention?
“I feel that if one is to live in a country other than there native one, they have to adapt, not the country they move to! The offspring of generations of a native land, should not be asked to do changes to there way of life to accomodate guests.”
So was Mugabe right to kick out those white farmers, after all what right did they have to own all that land which belonged to native black Africans who were there before them?!?
How far back do you go to determine who is the native? What about the Native Americans, the Aborigines in Australia, the Arawaks and other peoples of the Caribbean, etc, etc? Hell, they weren’t asked to do changes, they were/ are pretty much destroyed or left to rot in reservations.
Completely wrong MEESO! I say again, when in Rome!! we are a civillised society, and this does not mean we need to change! the guests must respect our values.
anyhow, this is now being drawn into racism, and I have said I am not racist, we just have fundamental differances, which the guest’s have to live with, and not us have to change to accommodate.
Correct me if I’m wrong in my interpretation, are you saying Native Americans/ Arawaks/ Aborigines did not have a civilised society and so when guests came they needed to be changed? Were the initial ‘guests’ civilised in their actionas towards them? And who decides what is/ is not civilised behaviour?
Nigel, let me point something out, you have an OPINION, and that’s all it is. Those commenting on your OPINION, have theirs too, just because theirs may differ from yours it doesn’t mean they’re wrong.
Stop thinking you’re right just because you’re you, get a sense of perspective.
Yes, what he said was racist, but 11 years ago attitudes were different, PC hadn’t become the all pervasive governing entity it is now and, whilst the comment is offensive to those it’s aimed at, surely it’s for those it’s aimed at to comment on? What gives you the right to be judge, jury and executioner? your responses to those commenting on here are, in some cases, offensive because you’re questioning the writers intelligence. Are you saying that’s ok? Why? Please explain how you can be so forthright with your OPINIONS about how offensive people are then make offensive comments about others without a hint of hypocricy.
I await your response to this comment with interest, let’s see how you attempt to defend yourself without being exactly what you claim to be arguing against.
By the way, the word OPINION is in capitals thrughout just to make the point that that’s all these comments, including your article, are.
I will not defend myself, because I am man enough to admit to things when I am wrong. I have re-read some of my earlier comments from the day which, as you correctly point out, were somewhat offensive…although not meant to be. If you were not so quick to judge, as perhaps is my lesson of the day re: my thoughts on Richard Keys comments, then you may well have understood the tongue in cheek element to some of my responses. While I don’t recall ever saying that my opinion was the right one ( in fact I think I have actively encouraged an open debate upon this), I take your point. People have the right to say what they want, and it was I that was so precious as to get upset when being called a twat for voicing what was only my OPINION. I have made some apologies today, and even received one in return.
I am pleased that you have decided to become involved in this discussion, because it is apparent that you have much value to add. I will look out for further input from you.
Seems, that the eye’s of the population, and being drawn away from how bad the country’s financial situation is in. ‘let’s make everone turn on TV presenters’ then no one look’s at what is happening in the real world! is this a government ploy?
FREEDOM OF SPEECH, and be true to oneself, if it is not appreciated, they can always turn away. But PRIVATE IS PRIVATE, if off air, that is where it MUST remain!!
Oh good grief, give it a rest Nigel. The media love nothing more than a witchhunt and it’s clearly a absolute feeding frenzy when it comes to Keys at the moment. You haven’t got much support for your tripe on here pal, as I think most people see through the ever more sensationalist handwringing that goes in our excuse for a ‘professional’ media nowadays. As for claiming a parallel between a fairly harmless quip over a decade ago to quite a poisonous comment by Big Ron is just wrong. You are completely out of touch with the real world.
It would appear that do gooders just love to feed the fire on racism, when will they learn racism isn’t a one way street and until they learn to treat everyone with some respect, no matter which way the water flows, racism will always exist, no matter who ethnics are let them live their lives and keep their heritage, as long as it doesn’t compramise our values, If I visit Australia and they call me a pommy I don’t get offended it’s life. This is England I was borne and bread here and I don’t want it to be anything else, Comments made in a light hearted way and with no malice are not racist Key’s has lost a treasured job for making a comment that should have been seen as what it was, a joke between friends.
stuart (White, proud of my country and Oh, married to an Asian)
did I say that right or was it racist ?
I certainly agree that these sorts of comments are not acceptable and the fact they were made 11 years ago is irrelevant.
We can clearly see what a nasty racist and sexist piece of work Richard Keys is.
However, I do have some concerns about what is going on here. It is fair enough to express concern that we are not hearing any details about what other commentators are saying. There may be many other football commentators who are closet racists/sexists and I am uncomfortable that there appears to be a persecution going on against one man.
To strike some balance in the debate, let’s see some investigation into football commentators in general – and perhaps compare them with other sports commentators – to see how bad he is in comparison with others, how widespread the problem is etc.
Singling one person out is not helpful. The message is clear – the point has been made. Please now let’s look at wider issues in the sport rather than focusing on Keys all the time.
“We can clearly see what a nasty racist and sexist piece of work Richard Keys is.”?
You can decide that from 2 comments made 11 years apart? Do you know the context? Do you know this is how he really thinks and feels?
Context is the key (pardon the pun). For instance, Americans hail George Washington as a hero and one of the founders of their way of life. However, he was also a slave owner. That fact, taken out of context, would make him a figure of hatred these days, but at the time, in context, it was normal, anyone with money had slaves, and the British empire thrived on providing the slaves to wealthy Americans yet now, one comment made by someone who should have known better makes him satan incarnate? I’m not defending him, but I don’t have enough evidence to agree that “We can clearly see what a nasty racist and sexist piece of work Richard Keys is.”
For god’s sake this is PC madness…i have been called a pommie bastard here in Aus god knows how many times… sometimnes it s a term of endearment sometimes an insult but never racist.
The chattering calsses and minority groups always play the race card otr the persecution card or the phobic card….just because, for instance, someone disagrees with gay marriage, it doesn’t make them homophobic.
I take it Nigel is a card carrying labour party member or, even worse, a green
calm down, and can I ask what’s wrong with being a labour member or green? I’m neither, though I whole heartedly agree with trying to save the planet, it is after all the only one we have….
Ok you’ must be a black disabled homosexual
No, I’m White, Welsh, straight and disabled. Now we’ve established my credentials I would like to ask if you’re a BNP member, homophobic and have a low IQ?
You seem able to jump to assptions and conclusions, I’m walking a mile in your shoes and I have to say they are so outdated they perfectly match your attitude.
You obviously only ever read the book covers, so you never got past Peter and Jane book 1a.
Should have reread my comment. I meant to say you seem able to jump to assumptions and conclusions. There again, disability and mobile technology, a challenge.
this is just another oe of those the media want to bring somone to there knees..leave him alone ..put something in the papers or news thats of great importance to the british public.not school boy tittle tattle..he called him this miss,he called him that sir …get a fucking life
The only complaint I have about this article is the comment about the ‘shocking comments made by Ron Atkinson’. Everyone seemed to miss the point that Ron Atkinson was not making racist comments, he was repeating comments that other people had said about him. Since those comments were then printed in all the newspapers and revealed on all the TV stations it would infer that all of the media were also making racist comments. The real culprits here are the idiots that release these stories because they just stir up race rows. As for Richard Keys, I always thought he was a bit of a clown from all the over-ambitios tripe he used to write about Coventry City when they were in the premiership (and I’m a Coventry fan before anyone accuses me of saying something nasty about their team)
this is getting beyond a joke…this is petty victimization..this remark was years ago and is a play on words…like wacko jacko….if a black man calls me “milky” i will laugh at the “joke”..this society has lost all sense of perspective and has certainly lost its sense of humour….britain is going to be a misserable place in a few years with poeple afraid to open thier mouths for fear that someone will take offence….its a sad state we are in…..i squirm when i see poeple take offence on behalf of someone else who may not even be offended…just to finish i am not a rascist and never have been, i have asian friends and some african friends and you would not believe what we call each other sometimes…but we are good friends and can take a joke…..believe me when i tell you storys like this and the furore and bandwagon jumping that allways follows breeds racism,,,,,
It’s amazing how pious, unforgiving, self rightious and hypocritical we can be. I am reminded of that saying “We despise in others those qualities we like least about ourselves. I’m sure there is a lot of good in Richard Keys along with his faults and mistakes. Don’t be too quick to judge or take offence rather be quick to compassion and forgivness. are you prepare to open yourself to close public examination as you are so publicly chastising Rischard Keys.
wow seriously. i can’t belive how rude people are. if you don’t like the article, move on.
and ruining society? really, people need to get out more and see the true social ills. i don’t think there is any excuse of that.
Nigel, and everyone who did leave decent comments i gues the point for are:
if any of us made racist or sexist comments at work about work mate, we’d most likerly all be diciplined so that fact that it was off air dosen’t matter.
however it was a long time ago and people do change, grow up and see the error of thier ways so i’m prepared to give Keys the benefit of the doubt on this one.
IMHO, most of the guys sticking up for Keys are nuts. 11 years ago meaning he was still around 43/44 years old so he understood and took resposibility for what he was saying. If he was a kid 11 years ago then i’d understand.
Nigel I think you are printing things you know to be ridiculous in an attempt to provoke reaction, and its working fine, well done. Its hardly offensive, and nothing like what Ron did. Even if someone said it now I would just find it funny, but some would call it racist in an attempt to feel good about themselves. As has been said above, if anyone had all their private conversations made public there would be something bad in there, Richard Keys is just the media’s latest target.
you petty narrow minded loser, get a life. If everything was heared that we said in private we would all be in this position, we’ve all made jokes at the expense of others without them knowing.
I can’t believe some of the comments…
Many years ago i worked in an office with a nice guy from Africa. I was adked by a visitor if my friend wanted a drink. I turned to my friend and said “does my black friend want a drink”. He replied “no”.
The visitor said i was being racist where i asked my friend “XXXXX are you black?” – he replied “yes”. “XXXXX are you my friend?” again he replied “yes”. I turned to the visitor and stated that i was just stating fact as my friend had just confirmed he was black and my friend.
Needless to say they didn’t know what to say then.
My point is any comment taken out of context can be seen to be rasist etc, Without being able to hear the whole comment you can not assume anything. Did Richard say “my friend David, ……..” we don’t know. All the fact have to be taken into consideration. Don’t forget we banned “golly wogs – from Robinsons” not be cause they were racist BUT because RASIT people corrupted the words and made it a racist comment.
Lets us all go home and watch an episode of Love thy Neighbour and live with it
come on everyone…..settle down…….too many people jumping on their soapbox here……some of you could even be a little hypocritical,,,,,,,,through all of the controversy surrounding mr. keyes and mr. gray, i cannot how many perfect people live on this planet…….some of you can’t see the wood for the trees……
but my point is…………regardless of the colour of your skin……….would you want to play fottball for scotland………..i very much doubt it………lol…..(now that is a lighthearted joke…..not a racist comment before all you do gooders blow a gasket)
something to think about however…..the colour of your skin should not matter one jot…..its the people who murder rape and steal, people who cannot abide by the law, they are the people who we should be writing about, they are the people we should rid of our society…….
i bid you good day……..
I’m from Scotland, but work in Angola with a whole load of Scots.
Given both our Celtic connections and geographical dispositions my colleagues and I have given careful consideration to the seriousness of the allegations pointed at Richard Keys.
Accordingly, we have discussed the matter at length, at a Special Tribunal, before coming to a monumental conclusion.
And before giving our finding, we wish to point out that we didn’t make light of the subject matter either, oh no. Our Tribunal consisted of 15 fair and just men, hand picked for their known unbiased and objective demeanors. Sporting the necessary ginger haired Jockenese bonnets, otherwise known as ‘Jimmy Wigs’, we were locked in high-browed discussion for at least a minute and a half.
I can now tell you, without malice aforethought, that we find Richard Keys completely innocent of any racism in any way. And this is held irrespective of the fact that he is English. Indeed, in an unusual display of support for our English ‘cousin’, we have decided to concoct, this very evening, a cocktail in Richard Key’s honour.
Based on Famous Grouse and a mixture of Cadbury’s Bourneville and Black Magic Chocolates, it’ll come topped with a sprig of thistle and a twist of back pudding. We’re calling it a ‘Jocko-Choco’.
Once perfected, we’re hoping to export the same south of the border as well as using it to wean the Tims off their Buckfast.
We’ll keep you posted.
Typical, the poor ol chocko.
People are so quick to jump on the “black” element.
What about our scottish “jockos”? ah, of course it’s onlt racist when it’s said by a white honky.
Referring back to the reply to my 2nd post. I would like to see some of these issues raised if you were to write an article on this “pc world”. Others opinions may differ on what they’d like to read but I feel this would interest me (as a reader) and get me involved in discussion.
What is acceptable and what is not. When does a joke turn into an offensive insult? When your friend feels slightly hurt or when someone else feels its wrong to say that such as putting it out online/over the media? How much over reaction or underreaction does the media cause when raising certain “racist” issues? How do you know if your stepping over the line or not. What may cause offence to some may not to others and may even make them laugh or smile. [b]Can you talk freely and give your honest opinion without being worried you’ll get punished for it?[/b]
(these are general subjects and clearly a lot could be written about them but just gives a flavour of what could be written)
also
Privacy (what should the public be allows to see, what should be seen with just friends and what should be kept entirly internal, how can you ensure this with so much technology)
Security & safety (of people and especially for families and children (e.g. with so much technology how can parents ensure they’re children are safe online) How much impact does the social network(facebook twitter) have particularly on racism& sexism& bullying)
Laws (Should there be more laws to govern online behaviour? Should more be done to restrict access especially to other countries where the law is less rigorous) For example if a law is less restrictive should governments/websites block all access to those countries? What methods can be used to stop online abuse?
I hope this post is helpfull for you nigel
You’re trying to destroy this man and his reputation for saying ‘Choco Jocko’ – 11 years ago. – Come on Nigel Bonn.
Anyone who is offended by this needs to stop being so over sensitive and get a life. It was only a play on words for heavens sake.
What is wrong with calling someone chocolate coloured anyway. Chocolate doesnt sound offensive to me. Or is the Jocko bit the racist bit im confused now?
For gods sake, it was in the past. We have all said or done things we are not proud of, but only in this overly PC and overly ‘catch someone out if you can’ world do we drag it up and try to cause people problems. OP get a life and f**k off.
Nigel Bonn:
Why are you such a sensitive prick?
If you find something that offends your sensibilities then switch over or turn off.
That is what the rest of us do.
Why do you feel the need to show yourself as being such a clot?
The man is a right twat! One of the best jobs on TV with a really good salary and yet his small brain couldn,t help letting his arse do the speaking instead of his mouth. What a moron.
As the saying goes “ehat goes around, comes around” Ta Ta
The world is so pc now. You cannot have a laugh and a joke now about anything. The guys were off camera and someone at Sky wanted to get rid of them. I hate racism but anyone on here who has not had a racist comment said to them once in their life serious or a joke is a liar. We gett on with it why don,t you all
can anyone stand up and say that they have never said a racist comment ,whether you are white black coloured asian ,you HAVE said something ,you know you have.