Sports reporter apologises for racist comments against a Super Eagles player during Nigeria vs Iceland match

Posted by admin Headlines, Soccer, Sports Sunday, June 24th, 2018

MIDDLE EASTERN broadcaster beIN Sports has issued an apology after a commentator was accused of alleged racism.

It’s claimed that former French professional footballer Gregory Paisley made an allegedly offensive comment during Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Iceland on Friday.

Reportedly talking about Leicester’s Wilfred Ndidi, Paisley allegedly said: “[He] should take a Banania.”

Banania is a chocolate drink which is claimed to be linked with French colonialism.

It dates back to 1914 and was touted as providing drinkers with “strength and vigour”, using the slogan: “Y’a bon Banania.”

And after alleged condemnation by users on Twitter, beIN Sports issued the following statement.

It read: “BeIN Sports regrets that some of the comments that were [broadcast] during the Nigeria-Iceland match may have been judged offensive by some of you.

“[We] apologise to all the people who felt hurt and offended.”

Paisley, who played for the likes of PSG and Nice, added: “I said Banania as I could have said Poulain, Benco or Nesquik. I think that when you’re short of strength, that’s what you take in the morning, so that’s why I said Banania.

“I specify that one of my best friends is Senegalese and so that at no time I could say anything bad about Africans.”

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