THE world’s top footballer Lionel Messi was plunged into a racism row
yesterday by a Premier League player who claims the Barcelona superstar
called him a “negro”.
Winger Royston Drenthe, 25 — on loan to Everton from Real Madrid — said he was
constantly taunted by Messi, 24, in Spain.
And he added: “I played many times against Messi and we always had problems
with one another.
Royston Drenthe
“You know what bothers me so much? That tone with which he always says,
‘negro, negro’. I understand that ‘negro’ is commonly used in South America.
But we can’t stand it.”
Dutch international Drenthe also claimed Barcelona genius Messi did not shake
his hand after a match in September 2010.
Drenthe played on loan for Alicante team Hercules in a 2-0 away victory at
Barca’s Nou Camp stadium.
Drenthe and Messi clash at Nou Camp
He said: “I had a minor clash with Messi. He shook my hand before the game but
during it he again said, ‘Hola negro’ to me a few times.
“I didn’t get a handshake from him afterwards. I don’t expect an invite to his
birthday party.”
Neither Messi nor FC Barcelona responded formally to Drenthe’s claims last
night.
But a source close to Messi — named the world’s best by football’s rulers FIFA
for the past three years — contacted a Spanish sports paper.
And the paper reported: “The player himself and those close to him do not
understand why these quotes have come to light now, when the Dutchman left
Spain two years ago.
“Messi denies ever having insulted Drenthe as this is not his way and he has
never behaved like that. He also calls on Drenthe to prove his accusations —
if he has any proof.”
Drenthe scored four goals in 27 games for Everton.
But he has been told to
stay away from the club after a bust-up with manager David Moyes and is not
expected back.
No comments:
Post a Comment