McGRATH
WHY CHRISTIE WAS RIGHT TO CRY FOUL
THE poison that oozes from social media is not one more symptom of the digital age. There have always been sneaks, cranks and troublemakers among us and they have always been a small minority. The problem today is that their wretchedness is amplified. What were once mendacious whispers in pubs are now gospels repeated on Twitter.
Once upon a time, players were abused by a loudmouth hollering from a stand. Now, they can be made miserable by the same clown channelling his ignorance through a medium with an audience that could, theoretically, run to millions.
These fools have always moved among us, but they can now harness the astonishing power of our age. One consequence is the harrowing experience to which Cyrus Christie was subjected after Ireland’s defeat to Denmark.
Don’t suppose for a moment that racist comments weren’t muttered against Irish players in the past, from within the ranks of the greatest supporters in the world.
Now, though, these wretched views can be aimed directly at the target, breaking into his private life and confronting him; whereas in the past the racists were obliged to confine their comments to terraces and grubby snugs.
The failure of social media platforms to find ways of preventing illegal conduct manifests itself in ways more serious than even racism, as other news stories this week illustrated, but this failure – be it the result of refusal, reluctance or inability – makes public figures vulnerable to the attacks endured by the Ireland defender.
And in the absence of a convincing reaction from the digital behemoths, it leaves Cyrus Christie and others in his circumstances with what appears to be a very narrow choice: disengage entirely from Twitter and Facebook or remain active and accept that every so often they will have to deal with conduct which, if repeated on the street, would result in arrest and criminal charges.
It is a dispiriting situation for any person to confront, let alone one who has done nothing more than serve his country.
Malice of an older kind was detectable in another story concerning a young Irish sports star earlier this week.
That Lee Keegan had to publicly address rumours circulating about his health was unsettling, but the lies about the Mayo footballer suffering from multiple sclerosis were not confined to the more pungent corners of the internet. It was a story that was being traded eagerly in GAA circles and in the nature of gossip, be sure that it was getting more robust with each retelling.
What was striking, though, was Keegan’s refusal to let the matter lie. Instead, he publicly denied it, stressing his disappointment but making clear that his health was not compromised by anything worse than recent hip surgery.
That procedure was in itself significant, but is as nothing compared to a life-changing illness.
Some have questioned Keegan’s decision to acknowledge empty lies but, in responding, he has shown that the truth retains some power yet.
The old line that in reacting to gossip one gives it credence isn’t true; Keegan has now buried a story that could have clung to him for the months it takes him to return to the Mayo team.
Cyrus Christie’s upset at being racially abused was publicised by his team-mate James McClean, but the Middlesbrough right-back has subsequently commented on what happened. It was dismaying to read that ‘there have been a number of racist comments which have been brought to my attention during the World Cup qualifying campaign over the last couple of months and most recently last week’. This didn’t start with the Denmark game and Christie had suffered in silence before McClean spoke out.
In doing so, though, he showed that figures in his position, no less than Keegan, are not helpless yet.
It must feel that way when someone can intrude upon your life and call you vile names, but silence strengthens thugs.
It always has, going back to the time when they could call names across the wire and target players.
Then, they were encouraged if there was silence from the crowd around them.
Now, unless especially stupid (as many of them are), they choose anonymity online. If that makes it harder for meaningful action to be taken against them by the authorities, it does not stop Christie, Keegan or any other victim from saying: ‘Stop. This isn’t good enough.’
In standing up for themselves, these men are not flattering the liars and the rumour-mongers.
Rather, they are exercising the only power they have in such difficult circumstances. They are telling the truth – and that still matters, despite everything.
17 Cyrus Christie has made 17 appearances for Ireland since making his debut against the US