CRICKET LEGEND BOYCOTT IN RACISM STORM
Outrage over commentator’s claim that he should ‘black up’ to get a knighthood
GEOFFREY Boycott was caught up in a racism row after a rant about honours for West Indies cricketers.
The ex-England star said he should “black up” to get a knighthood too. One MP said: “This smacks of racism.”
GEOFFREY Boycott has been branded a “dinosaur” after saying he would stand a better chance of getting knighted if he “blacked up”.
The England cricket legend, 76, made the comment to VIP guests at the daynight Test against the West Indies.
At a Q&A session during a break in play at Edgbaston on Saturday, the BBC Test Match Special commentator said knighthoods were handed out like “confetti” to West Indies greats.
He told Sky Sports presenter Gary Newbon, hosting the session: “Mine’s been turned down twice. I’d better black me face.”
It was met by an uneasy silence at the Birmingham venue where diners, including several black guests, had paid nearly £300 each for a luxury hospitality package.
A source said: “It was a crass comment. It was intended to get a laugh but it went down like a lead balloon. People were offended.”
Among the 11 West Indian cricketers knighted are Sir Curtly Ambrose, Sir Garfield Sobers and Sir Viv Richards.
The source said: “Is Boycott suggesting they got knighthoods merely because of the colour of their skin? Birmingham is celebrated for its racial tolerance. We can do without dinosaurs like him spouting rubbish.”
Activist Desmond Jaddoo said the comments were “like something from the dark ages”. He added: “They were ill-advised and illconceived. The West Indian cricketers got knighthoods because they excelled on the cricket field. He should take a long, hard look at why he doesn’t have a knighthood rather than offending those who do have one.” Edgbaston’s Labour MP Preet Gill said of his rant: “Let’s call it what it is, it’s irresponsible, it smacks of racism.” The last England star to get a knighthood for services to cricket was Sir Ian Botham in 2007. Before that it was Sir Alec Bedser in 1997. Boycott, who scored 151 centuries in first class cricket and played 108 Tests for England, claims he is being blocked from the honour because he was convicted in France of beating ex Margaret Moore in 1996. Boycott of Boston Spa, West Yorks, retired from international cricket in 1982, two years after getting an OBE. In 2002 he beat throat cancer and went on to land a BBC commentating role in 2004. He did not respond to our requests for a comment.
He should take a look at why he doesn’t have one rather than offending those who do DESMOND JADDOO BIRMINGHAM COMMUNITY ACTIVIST