Players who hurl racist insults should be suspended

Once again, the news cycle about racist taunts and offensive refereeing has come and gone — a passing blip on the sports radar. This time it involved a team of First Nations kids aged 13 and 14 playing at a bantam tournament in Quebec.

Once again, the game officials and the coaches of the opposing team ignored the racist taunts, gestures, and insults — just as they did this past season when Kitchener Rangers forward Givani Smith was taunted.

Once again, hockey officials called the situation “deplorable” but insisted there was nothing they could do. I think there is something very powerful that hockey at all levels could do.

Players who hurl racist insults should be suspended for at least three games immediately. That player’s team should forfeit the game.

If it is the fans or parents of the team who casually fling racial slurs, then again, that team should forfeit the game. If the referees ignore this behaviour, they should no longer be employed as referees. The message is simple:

We as a sport do not condone racism and we will do what is necessary to protect all of our players.

Were this modest proposal implemented by hockey at all levels, I doubt it would take very long before this offensive behaviour was removed from the arena and all young players would get to play hard and enjoy the game — without having the very essence of who they are being threatened by racist thugs.

Diane Kilby

Kitchener