- Weather | Horoscope | Stocks
expressindia web
HomeBlogsCricketAstrologyShoppingTendersClassifieds OpinionsTravel
| Make this your homepage | Archive
Expressindia » Story

Racist comment OK, but only from friends: Symonds

Font Size -

Agencies

Posted online: Saturday , January 12, 2008 at 07:44:12
Updated: Saturday , January 12, 2008 at 07:59:16


Melbourne, January 12: Andrew Symonds does not mind the odd racist comment at his expense, but only from people he is friendly with, the Australian all-rounder said.

Symonds labelled Harbhajan Singh's alleged racial taunt as ‘unacceptable’ and vowed not to cop remarks from rival players with whom he has no friendship.

Ahead of the Perth Test against India, Symonds declared he could tolerate racism - but only from those he knew.

"I'm not a sensitive person about it," he said.

"If you know me well you can have a joke to me about anything and any part of racism and I'll laugh," he was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph.

"I mean, I'm not sensitive about it but if I'm not your friend, if you're an opposition player or something like that, it is unacceptable."

However, Symonds said some rival cricketers could afford to make a racist comment without raising his ire.

"Even with opposition players, if I do know them well and they want to joke about something like that, it doesn't stir me up so what's happened is something I and the Australian boys have taken very seriously. It (the racism affair) is a really difficult thing for me to comment on as it hasn't been totally resolved," he said.

"Obviously, people are very interested in what's happened but they probably won't actually know exactly what's happened for quite some time, until the dust has settled," Symonds said.

But he claimed Harbhajan's actions, during a Test match, had annoyed him because it breached the boundaries of social acceptability.

"I'm very relaxed about life and I understand there are many different types of people," he said.

"You know, I used to have a bit of fun and people used to have a bit of fun with me in the playground when I was at school so I understand that kids are very blunt about that sort of thing. But it (racism) is one of those things that, in the modern day, is obviously very publicly unacceptable," Symonds added.

Bookmark this Page
  • Digg

    On Digg, users share intersting online content by submitting links to the site. At that point, the Digg audience can vote on whether or not they think it is interesting. Articles with lots of votes, or "diggs," rise up higher on the site's main page and topical subsection pages. Another form of social sharing, this site also lets users categorize the content they are submitting to Digg and label it with descriptions of up to 350 characters. Digg users can also submit comments on each content item submitted to the site.

    To register, go to: http://digg.com/register

    del.icio.us

    At its most basic level, del.icio.us allows users to save their bookmarks online. Del.icio.us also gives users the ability to "tag" their bookmarks with descriptive category names. For example, someone who has bookmarked multiple Web pages that deal with the Washington Nationals baseball team could tag those links with any terms they want, like "baseball," "nationals," "natsfan," etc.

    As members of a "social bookmarking" community, del.icio.us sers can also see how many other people have bookmarked the same pages, and they can look at those users' bookmark collections to find other interesting online content.

    To register, go to: http://del.icio.us/register

    Reddit

    Reddit allows users to submit news articles and other online content to the site. Users also give articles a thumbs-up or thumbs-down. Reddit then uses those votes to build a user profile and to find articles to recommend to you. Users can also submit comments on items posted to the site.

    To register, go to: http://reddit.com/login

Rate this Article
5
Rating
Ads by Google
Post Comments
Name* Email ID*
Subject* Country*
Message*
Characters remaining
 
TERMS OF USE: The views represented here are not neccesarily endorsed by www.expressindia.com and its allied websites. All messages will be moderated and no message that has inflammatory, abusive, derogatory language or any language deemed unfit for publication by the editor will be displayed. Though it will be endeavoured that as many messages as possible be displayed, there will be time lag between the submission and publication of the messages. The website reserves the right to publish or reject any message.
I agree to the terms of use.
Ozzie shackles by Ds and jack on 14 Jan 2008

Symonds gave hints(coded message) that he is being utilized by Ozzie's:>>Symonds says that "monkey" comments from friends is not racist and from rival are considered racist. But since India is a rival team, the Ozzie have coined "monkey" as racist term>>Symonds admitted that he was caught on Ishant bowling. That was bold and India should not nail him for exposing the wrong decision. Know that Symonds is paid by the Ozzie and we can offer him a place in ICL some day when he wants to walk out of Ozzie's shackles.Symonds being on Ozzie side cannot give more hints that can benefit India. Know this guy is being utilized by Ozzie's.Clue for India - India should go easy on culprit and hard on the brains behind the culprit.Bishop from Carribean said that "monkey" is not racist word. I think world cannot be subverted and go to the brains behind the culprit.

Racism in Australia by Mishka on 14 Jan 2008

When Darrel Hair had been sacked from ICC he sued them to be racist. Look who is talking? Until last minute Malcom Speed kept calling him the best empire. Everybody knows how Australia treated their aborigines for 200 years. They used to go and hunt them down. Their population kept reducing. Its now about the 10th since they took over Australia. Still lots of aborigines die in police cells. Racism what are they talking about.Who called Murli a chucker? Australian EmpiresWho did not allow Tendulkar to used saw dust on the pitch because his balers were slipping due to the wet pitch? Australian EmpiresIndia could not win here first they had Australian empires and they were rouges.They always opposed the ides of having independent empires. When world finally got independent empires they were dominated by the whites? Subcontinent team never get a fair go in Australia. For that matter Australia always gets the judgement in their favour no matter who the team is. They are not the champion team. They are cheating team. You need Dakoos from Chambal Ghati to play in Indian team to win with them. I think even they will be more decent then these thugs.What is the point of playing with the Aussies? Why can’t India form their own Indian Cricket Council? Stuff ICC. Don’t give them India’s valuable revenue only to get insulted by these clowns.

Symonds- you pussy by Santoshp on 13 Jan 2008

Looks like Symonds is Ok with a white man screwing his half-black ass. But he can't bear a brown man fingering responding to his filthy mouth. Can't take that like a man, Yo pussy Symonds!!

Racist comment OK, but only from friends: Symonds by keshav ranganath on 13 Jan 2008

Not sure how to interpret the racism issue between Symonds and Bhajji. We never seem to have any problems racially with any other team including the West Indice. Aussies are well known to provoke which results into a reaction. In my opinion, Symonds is the root cause for this trouble.

Big Deal by Prasad on 13 Jan 2008

Who cares you think Symonds? Another example that Ponting and his cronies are so full of themselves. It's about time Indian officials, players and spectators stopped swallowing the insults heaped upon them by these angloes.Start by Boycotting the Sponsors of these crude self-styled cowboys from aussieland backed by CA

Who wants to be your "friend"? by Prakash on 13 Jan 2008

Are the gutless BCCI officials still living in the backdrop of colonial enslavement? The white dominated ICC and the anglo-cartel are still calling the shots? BCCI has to understand -The new generation of India gives two hoots about the superiority complex the angloes may hold about themselves by dominating the umpiring ranks and the ICC decision-making proceses.The Young India cares not for the submissive and insult swallowing gutless officials and players of the past. And what is Sharad Pawar upto? Apart from humiliating the country with his backflip, is he trying to project himself as some sort of Cricket-Statesman? Kick him out of the BCCI! We need some young blood.Next: Boycott all the Companies who sponsor Aussie players, punch them hard where it hurts the most - that is the only language these m**keys understand - and that includes the BCCI.

cricket by Sri on 13 Jan 2008

Australia should be banned from international cricket for treating opponents as enemies. They are unfit to have sporting relations.

unfriendly cricket by Sri on 13 Jan 2008

india need not play cricket with unfriendly nations!

racismin cricket by Sri on 13 Jan 2008

Who said cricket is friendly game and elite game? Opposite team players are enemies even above racism.

Shiv Sainiks and Dravadians by Mrs Chaarulata on 13 Jan 2008

How about Shiv Sainik goons and rowdies who are humiliating their own hindu brothers from outside Maharashtra ? Dravidians are doing the same in TN.

Symonds-racism by SV Nagappa on 13 Jan 2008

The comments written here clearly shows racism and casteism are rife in India. Even if harbhajan has said xxx he need not have said it especially considering he is supporting a family and is a role model.Symonds had alredy been abused in India as a monkey whihc is a terurselfm they use in Mumbai for blacks. So please stop defending yourself as India itself is a socially abusive country the way it deals with poor untouchables. Or may be even that does not exist in India?????. I also have lived in Australia for many years and have never suffered any verbal racial abuse. Here there are people from 162 countries and one of the most tolerant.People here do not tolerate abusive behaviour. May be Indians need to take a leaf out of Australia and eliminate caste then they will realize how abbohrent racism is.

MONKEYS ALLOWED,SYMONDS NOT ALLOWED by sanjay on 13 Jan 2008

Let us declare in every cricket stadium in India" MONKEYS ALLOWED,SYMONDS NOT ALLOWED" and in case he shamelessly drops in let us parade him into every HANUMAN TEMPLE in that town!!

To Anita by Mrunal on 13 Jan 2008

that is so not true! I live in Oz n the ppl here r vry upset wid wat da aussies hve done. as 4 dr hanif, he is a terrorist n doesn't deserve a compensation watsoeva. n btw u can't point finger at da aussies sayin dat we din't study. we do study n over here the aussies do respect the ppl frm another country!

Reality by ProudIndian on 13 Jan 2008

Here's what I think Harbhajan might have said - teri maa ki...

symond by bharat on 13 Jan 2008

If a word is taken racist in abstract, what does it make difference who says it? As a matter of fact, I would hold my "friends" to a higher standards!Why double standards?

Monkey by Gangadhar Barve on 13 Jan 2008

In India, we treat guest as God. In Australia a guest is treated like an enemy. Australians have talent without character. Indians have talent with character.

Racist comments by Subhod on 13 Jan 2008

Ricky Taunting sorry Ponting and his team have mastered the art of taunting but are not able to digest the same when given back. They have found a way to shut up the opposition by fabricating the racist charge. Get real Symonds.

Symonds better be consistent about what is racist by Ds and jack on 13 Jan 2008

First and foremost he wants to stick to his guns that comments from Harbhjan were racist. That is his way to DOMINATE thru slimy means. India needs to stand by him because this is how Indians kids will look down on us if we buckle to Ozzie, ICC or any Ghora or their bas**tard**ized mix.Symonds is bullshitting, he is a rascal. India should NOT buckle to this serious shit from symonds. Instead, harbhajan should stand by saying that this guy is mis-interpreting on purpose because he considers him as hardcore rival and wants to kiss up to Ghora's in his complex hate-love relationship to colonial masters.Sehwag is good...Indian selectors need to urgently give chance to in middle order to Rohit/Raina/etc. How many chances and advise were given to Karthik. We have given chance to VRV, Pankah Singh. Many chances to Yuvi.Now there is NEED for rotation. Hope Sehwag breaks the lockjam for the opener and then we can solidify the middle order. Do the seniors resist a competition in middle order. Do they want to drop dead while playing and give allow no other.You need two more pacer for Perth. We don't have strong middle order because for 3 series, good players like Rohit/Raina/etc were not tried.We need to develop a genuine second pacer. Pathan will eventually compete with Ganguly (most likely even beat Yuvi) for position of all-rounder.Have to look at Laxman and Kathik for consistency. Selectors Cannot hold the new blood in the middle order for long for the sake of their favorites.We need 2-3 specialist fast bowlers, not fast spinners. Irfan, Ganguly, Yuvi fall in All-rounder range

Australia Cricket Team by Karthik on 13 Jan 2008

Hi Ausissies What goes around and comes around.If you want sledge other team please prepared to take it back. How many other cricket team complaing about the other team, other than Australia.Thats shows Ricky ponting is cry baby. Please stop crying and don't make samll issues to too big.

Who cares? by Sagar on 13 Jan 2008

get lost Symonds...we do not care abt your personal views....keep this man out of India at all cost....

Indians-vs Australians by Anita on 13 Jan 2008

In response to what symonds has said about racist comments being OK with friends, which means he does not consider the Indian cricket players as friends.This does not affirm that Harbhajan has abused him racially . NO EVIDENCE NO FACTS ARE AVAILABLE ONE CANNOT JUST LABEL SOMEONE AS BEING RACIST. THIS IS WHAT THE AUSSIES WOULD HAVE SAID AS WELL. THEN WHY DOES THE INDIAN TEAM AND ALSO THE INDIAN PEOPLE IN INDIA KEEP BRAGGING THAT THEY LOVE THE AUSSSIES AND ADMIRE THEM. DO THE AUSSIES LOVE U? READ THE COMMENTS ON WWW.NINEMSN.COM.AU ESPECIALLY THE ONES IN THE BEGINNING OF THE CONTROVERSY . MOST OF THE AUSSIES ARE UNEDUCATED SO HAVE NO CLASS.INDIA WAKE UP AND DONT KEEP THROWING THE WORD SORRY WHEN U HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING WRONG IT WILL BE MISINTERPRETED AS AN ADMISSION TO THE WRONG AND GUILTY. SO PL DO NOT BE APOLOGETIC AND USE THE SORRY WORD AT THE DROP OF THE HAT. HAVE DIGNITY AND SELF RESPECT.THIS CASE WITH HARBHAJAN IS SIMILAR TO THE ONE WITH SHILPA SHETTY IN UK ( BECOS THE TEAM MATES IN BIG BRO WILL JEALOUS OF HER GOOD LOOKS) AND ALSO WITH THAT OF DR HANIF .DR HANIF SHOULD NOT RETURN TO AUSTRALIA INSTEAD SEEK COMPENSATION FOR THE DAMAGE. READ THE NASTY COMMENTS POSTED ON NINEMSN BY THE AUSTRALIANS REGARDING HIS RETUEN.DR HANIF - PLEASE DONT USE UR TALENT HERE . THERE IS SHORTAGE OF DRS , TEACHERS -- ALL QUALIFIED LABOUR BECOS AUSSIE KIDS DO NOT STUDY . U DONT COME AND FILL UP THE GAP AND BE TREATED AND INSULTED LIKE A SECOND CLASS CITIZEN USE YOUR SKILLS AND SERVCIES IN UR COUNTRY OR ELSEWHERE WHERE U R RESPECTED.

Educational Qualifications by P.Natarajan on 13 Jan 2008

Could you tell me what are the educational qualifications of Indian and Australian Cricketers in the present tour?

B*s*a*d Symonds is half breed trash by J. .Harkhandi on 13 Jan 2008

Symonds is a known bastard. Calling him a monkey is an insult to monkeys. However calling him a bastard is acceptable, since the prime character of the religion he belongs to is the accepted bastard of history. In fact calling him a bastard is a compliment because it makes him the Son of God. hahaha.....

Monkey business by Hemant on 12 Jan 2008

Symonds is a liar. It is as simple as that. I have said earlier and I reiterate without any prejudice, he does look like a cave man... a monkey. I am also sure that Bhajji did not call him that. Bhajji is smart he won't call someone who behaves like a moron a moron to his face. So why would he call somebody who looks like a monkey ... a monkey to his face? :)

Full of Bull by Sanjay on 12 Jan 2008

A person of double standards,who cheats without the comment being verified by anyone. Please don't lie, tell the truth you wear that white paint on your face so you can tease Indians into calling you a monkey.Very fair, you nonsence person.We should all call you a coconut.

Walk the talk by Sitarama on 12 Jan 2008

When you taunt your opposition players, then they too feel the same way. It's okay when it comes at them from friends but not hypocrites like your aussie team. Then why dont you morons follow that sincerely. Why do most of you indulge in sledging? Are you compensating for some other weakness with sledging? Play only cricket and try to win for a change and the benefit of others.

Govt to sign N-deal 'come what may' : Congre...'Not clinching N-deal will be a historical m...Majority of Muslims not against the N-deal: ...Sree ate with Bhajji after being slappedWe should have supported N-deal a year ago: ...Williams sisters set up final date at Wimble...

© 2008 Indian Express Newspapers (Mumbai) Ltd. All rights reserved
The Indian Express Group | Advertise With Us | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Work With Us | Site Map