Spain’s fury as F1 champ labels bullfights ‘torture’
WORLD Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has been attacked by a Spanish government minister after he claimed that bullfighting was “torture” and “disgusting”.
The British driver urged people to share an online petition organised by animal rights organisation PETA, saying: “Kids in Spain are taught to torture and kill bulls, starting at age 14.
“We are asking Ministry of Education bullfighting schools.”
Offensive
Spain’s to close
Hamilton, 35, also voiced his anger in an Instagram Stories post, writing alongside a photo of a slain bull: “Don’t let torture masquerade as culture. This is truly disgusting, Spain.”
But Jose Manuel Rodriguez Uribes, the country’s culture and sport minister, made a withering attack on the six-times champion, joining some of Spain’s best-known bullfighters in replying to the UK hero.
He called Hamilton’s comments “offensive” and added:
“These sort of statements attack people who have a passion and a positive feeling towards a practice which in our country is considered to be culture.
“All opinions are respected but they have to be expressed with respect. I regret Hamilton’s comments. He is a fantastic driver but it’s a shame these declarations have been made in public because they don’t help.”
Spanish bullfighter Cayetano Rivera Ordonez, 43, accused the driver of ignorance. He tweeted: “Mr Hamilton doesn’t like bullfighting. So what. before criticising other people’s culture, he should at least learn a bit more about what he’s attacking.”
Brother Fran Rivera, 46, another famous bullfighter, added: “A person who has no idea of what he’s talking about should inform himself first.
“Hamilton is guilty of too much pride and too little education. He has never spent a minute of his life in a bullfighting school to see what is taught.”
Veteran writer Fernando Sanchez Drago, 83, a well-known bullfighting supporter, poured further bile over the F1 star, considered to be one of the greatest drivers of all time, by saying: “Don’t you need a minimum amount of intelligence to get a driving licence? How come they gave Lewis Hamilton one?”
Spain’s bullfighting industry is struggling because the pandemic stopped events and the government is reluctant to give it funds.
Damage
Hundreds of fighting bulls, which cost more than £4,000 each to breed and raise to adulthood, have been slaughtered in abattoirs since the virus began.
Tens of thousands of people associated with the £4billion industry, from bullfighters to truck drivers, are out of work. All festivals have been cancelled.
Cayetano Rivera added about the industry: “I fear for the future. I am not bullfighting, all activity in the sector has stopped. The epidemic has caused huge damage.”