FC Barcelona refused to give post-match interviews to Spanish broadcasting giant Movistar after its 3-2 win over Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday in light of a racist remark made by one of its punditry team. The incident occurred during coverage leading up to kick off, where a comment was made regarding Lamine Yamal, a 16-year-old player of Moroccan and Equatoguinean descent.
During a segment showing Lamine showcasing his skills by doing kick ups, a member of the Movistar team commented, 'Look at the quality, look at Lamine Yamal's kick ups.' This was followed by a remark from another pundit, 'If it doesn't go well, he'll end up at a traffic light,' insinuating that Lamine might resort to selling items or begging at traffic lights if his football career didn't succeed.
Both FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain decided to boycott post-match interviews with Movistar in response to the offensive comment. Movistar's presenter later explained the situation to viewers, expressing regret that the clubs had declined interviews due to the remark made on their set.
The pundit who made the controversial statement publicly apologized, stating that he did not intend to offend anyone and that his comment was meant in a humorous context. Despite his apology, there were calls for him to be banned from appearing on television in the future.
The incident highlights the importance of sensitivity and respect in sports commentary, especially when it comes to issues of race and discrimination. Both clubs' decision to boycott interviews sends a strong message against racism in football and emphasizes the need for accountability in media coverage of the sport.
