Maurice Ross Sacked

[Notts78]

Although their are clearly worse comments that can be made his comments still had an undertone of racism, no matter how mild.
It’s easy for us to comment that it’s harsh etc... but we are in an era that you simply can’t say certain things, regardless of how innocent it’s intent.
As a person in a responsible position he needed to be careful what he says. If Notts had let it slide it would have sent the wrong message out and God only knows how our reputation would have been impacted.

[upthemaggies]

The malice in his comments are that Enzio is playing like an old man, but that certainly isn’t what has cost him his job. In my opinion the African comment isn’t malicious.

It could be interpreted as an accusation of Enzio being a stereotypically lazy black player.
"Doctored passport" also implies a low level criminal.

If there was already tension between them over Ross making it clear that, in his opinion, Enzio wasn't showing enough desire, which seems likely, then maybe Enzio would be more inclined to feel Ross didn't like him as a man, assuming Enzio has belief in himself to be a gifted player who does bring something to the team.

[the_anticlough]

I don’t disagree with your points but the reason why he’s gone, and the reason this has made national news is because race has been referenced.
The malice in his comments are that Enzio is playing like an old man, but that certainly isn’t what has cost him his job. In my opinion the African comment isn’t malicious, but certainly naive.
How does a naive comment result in feeling like you’ve got to walk from your job and make national news?
It just seems out of kilter to me.

Well, I wrote speculative posts earlier on this thread that I'd still stick to...the context would have been him in a weak position for whatever reason (results principally!), otherwise this might have had a chance of being dealt with internally... but I prefer what IB said in his interview, 'zero tolerance', that's better for the club and everyone who works in it.

[jacobncfc]

It could be interpreted as an accusation of Enzio being a stereotypically lazy black player.
"Doctored passport" also implies a low level criminal.

The 'African footballers always have fake passports and are really older than they say' thing is a pretty common racist stereotype. Albeit one that I imagine Ross used out of sheer stupidity more than malice. He's at least immediately taken responsibility and admitted he was at fault, so I hope it doesn't cost him his career in the long term, but it clearly made his position untenable either way.

[the_anticlough]

The 'African footballers always have fake passports and are really older than they say' thing is a pretty common racist stereotype. Albeit one that I imagine Ross used out of sheer stupidity more than malice.

Especially when describing a player from Holland

[irishpete]

Well, I wrote speculative posts earlier on this thread that I'd still stick to...the context would have been him in a weak position for whatever reason (results principally!), otherwise this might have had a chance of being dealt with internally... but I prefer what IB said in his interview, 'zero tolerance', that's better for the club and everyone who works in it.

Zero tolerance, how far does it go? Players tell the Ref to fcuk off, that's OK? or do we sack those?. I f you want respect, it's all or nothing

[Old_pie]

If footballers are not always putting in a full shift they should also do the honourable thing and walk as not meeting the standards of a professional who is being paid to perform.

There are rights and there are responsibilities.

Or maybe Mo saw this development as an opportunity to get out himself having realised what he was expected to work with, as the statement seems to make out that it was his, not the club's, decision.

[the_anticlough]

Zero tolerance, how far does it go? Players tell the Ref to fcuk off, that's OK? or do we sack those?. I f you want respect, it's all or nothing

I don't think IB was referencing that kind of thing.

[irishpete]

I don't think IB was referencing that kind of thing.

I know what your saying but, where do we draw the line on these sort of things.
Refs take serious abuse, do we see them crying, why should they take abuse?
it's a form of bullying from players.

[matt_magpie]

Zero tolerance, how far does it go? Players tell the Ref to fcuk off, that's OK? or do we sack those?. I f you want respect, it's all or nothing

Exactly, I’m totally for stamping racism out, but does someone really have to loose their job and reputation over a stupid ignorant comment, sit down, apologise properly and learn from it. Bit like Greg Clark, the guy was trying to make a stand against black players getting abuse via social media, says coloured and he’s absolutely vilified.