Elkington apologises after Twitter post about ‘Pakkis’
LONDON: Steve Elkington became the latest Australian sports figure to be at the centre of a racism row when the golfer insisted on Saturday he’d no idea ‘Pakki’ was an abusive term as he apologised for offensive Twitter messages.
The 1995 US PGA champion is competing at the Senior British Open at the Royal Birkdale course in Southport, a coastal town near Liverpool in northwest England.
But Southport, often considered posh in relation to Liverpool, many of its inhabitants and indeed the local cuisine all failed to meet with the 50-year-old Elkington’s approval.
‘‘Couple caddies got rolled by some Pakkis [Pakistanis], bad night for them,’’ Elkington posted on Saturday.
This followed a Twitter post on Friday in which Elkington said: ‘‘Things about Southport — fat tattooed guy, fat tattooed girl, trash, Pakistani robber guy, shit food.’’
A statement in Elkington’s name was issued 20 minutes after he teed off in a third round where he shot a one-overpar 71 on Saturday in which the golfer explained he had no idea ‘Pakki’, more commonly spelt as ‘Paki’ and long regarded in Britain as a highly offensive term, was an objectionable word.
‘‘I am prepared to adhere to any disciplinary action that the Championship sees fit,’’ Elkington said.
‘‘In my tweet I was referring to an unfortunate incident involving a caddie earlier in the week. Being Australian, I was unaware that my use of language in relation to the Pakistani people would cause offence, but having been made aware I now deeply regret the use of that terminology.
‘‘Southport is a beautiful place and I have enjoyed playing at Royal Birkdale, as my positive content on Twitter has shown. My comments were born out of frustration over what had happened to a colleague.’’