THREAD ON ESPN v HARRY KANE

The behaviour of these 3 ESPN colleagues towards Harry, especially the lady & producer, sums up the attitude towards disability in football, media & society as a whole

I personally wouldn’t class a speech impediment as a disability but point remains https://twitter.com/N17ewan/status/1323024134230679553

I’ve been in media for >decade & this behaviour is rife

Often it’s ignorance & people don’t realise they're being offensive. E.g ‘retard’ is often used to describe a stupid person without any idea it's offensive

Often, like these 3 colleagues, they just think it’s acceptable

Compare how those who discriminate v those with disabilities are disciplined compared to those who discriminate by being racist, anti-semitic, anti-LGBT

Dani Alves publicly branded (racist) fans “retards”, Christophe Dugarry on live TV called Messi a “half-autistic kid”.

Neither were punished. Dugarry kept his job. They'dve been rightfully sacked if they'd made racial, anti-semitic or anti-LGBT comments

Now, I’m not calling for these 3 to be sacked. Those who know me know I’m not a snowflake, I’m pro free speech, & I don’t often get offended

My point of this thread, as someone who has a disabled bro, is discrimination v those with disabilities should be treated same as that v race, sexuality

If anything it should be treated more severely cos the disabled are often unable to fully defend themselves like other groups

Again, I’m not calling Kane’s speech impediment a disability. I’m using this example to make a wider point which needs making.

I’ve interviewed Kane and I think he is a fantastic person, as well as a fantastic footballer who does a lot for the community

He deserves better