Star West Indies batsman Chris Gayle has recently revealed that he too has faced racist remarks several times in his career because of the colour of his skin, claiming that even the ‘gentleman’s game’ was not free of racism.
Gayle also wrote on his Instagram story, “Black lives matter just like any other life. Black people matter, p***k all racist people, stop taking black people for fools, even our own black people wise the p***k up and stop bringing down your own!”
“I have travelled the globe and experience racial remarks towards me because I am black, believe me, the list goes on.” “Racism is not only in football, it’s in cricket too. Even within teams as a black man, I get the end of the stick. Black and proud” he said.
Gayle’s comments come at a time when the protests against the custodial death of black man George Floyd in the US city of Minneapolis has gained momentum.
Several sportsmen, across the globe have come together to pay gratitude to Floyd. Recently, Liverpool football players also took a knee around the centre circle at Anfield Stadium, in a gesture of solidarity. Squad members posted a picture of the act on their social media accounts with the caption “Unity is strength #BlackLivesMatter”.
In another incident, Borussia Dortmund footballer Jadon Sancho removed his shirt during a goal celebration to reveal an undershirt with a message “Justice for George Floyd”.
