Sorry Pumas affair leaves me puzzled on many levels
WHAT on earth to make of this Pablo Matera affair? One day he, Guido Petti and Santiago Socino are persona non grata with the Pumas after rancid racist and discriminatory historical tweets from 2011 and 2013 came to light but the next they are all reinstated as if nothing had happened.
Now I have always thought it’s quite difficult territory disciplining individuals for stuff, no matter how offensive, they say and write as immature messed up teenagers – possibly also under the influence of drink – but nonetheless I was expecting some kind of ban to accompany their grovelling apologies.
A short period contemplating the sheer awfulness of what they said – the metaphorical wearing of a hair shirt – while at the same time being made to explain to the modern generation of young Pumas just how very wrong they were back then was surely indicated?
That hasn’t happened which is puzzling, although the Pumas insist that investigations continue, but what has mystified me almost as much about this sorry affair is that according to all reports the old tweets came to light because some – many – considered the Pumas’ response to Diego Maradona’s death inadequate. And irked by that, went looking for material to discredit them.
Really? Maradona was an incredible footballer – the best ever in my opinion – but he was also a doper, a drug cheat who served a lengthy ban, a footballing cheat and a convicted and habitual user of cocaine and other hard-core drugs. Oh and did I mention the reported links with the Mafia, and the prostitutes and the ugly paternity case.
Given all that I feel the
Pumas got it about right with the traditional wearing of black armbands during their game with the All Blacks last week acknowledging the passing of the best-known Argentinian since Eva Peron.
In contrast New Zealand, in my opinion, went slightly over the top with their ceremonial laying down of an All Black No.10 shirt with the name Maradona printed on it as they gathered for the haka. Among other things that gesture seemed more about them and their jersey than Maradona and his.
You may disagree but why does rugby feel obliged these days to pay grand homage to every figure of import who dies? The pre-match preliminaries are already lengthy. We already have the black lives matters moment, taking a knee or not taking a knee, heartfelt thanks and clapping to the NHS and two or three (in the case of some Ireland games) pre-match anthems. When crowds return there will be prematch presentations to contend with as well.
Huge names within rugby itself – Christophe Dominici – or even local club stalwarts, yes of course time must be made, but if rugby pauses every time a stellar sportsman, entertainer, politician or celebrity shifts off this mortal coil we will never get the game started!