Should Rage Online withdraw its sponsorship of Sam Deering?

[boris]

Self-explanatory, hopefully. The result will guide me in making a decision, so won't be binding, partly because it's open to all registered members of the RO forums, including those who didn't contribute towards the sponsorship, and partly because, as RO thingymejig, I accept that the decision is ultimately my responsibility, and there are strong feelings on both sides of the fence here.

Also, I'm a Libran, so I accept that I have difficulty making decisions (or I would, if astrology wasn't a load of bollocks).

[Old Abingdonian]

I agree with all contributors that what Sam said was wrong, unacceptable and offensive. I agree entirely with the actions taken by the club. What follows is no attempt to 'excuse' or minimise what he did.

However, I believe RO should do whatever helps Sam best realise the significance of what he did, and make amends. There are plenty of people 'on his case'. So I believe that the point should be made to him that his racist comments are incompatible with RO's total commitment to Kick Racism Out Of Football. He should, hopefully, respond positively and constructively to that point, and accept that he can only continue to receive sponsorship if he demonstrates that he also accepts our values. If he does not see the problem (!), or does not care about the RO sponsorship, then withdraw it.

Happy to play any part in the above process

[Pe├▒a Oxford United]

I think it should be withdrawn whatever: it's the right message to give. I also (as I indicate on the other thread) think RO should:

(a) send a private letter expressing disappopintment
(b) not get involved in public demands for a ritual apology and so on.

[Ascension Ox]

I think it should be withdrawn whatever: it's the right message to give. I also (as I indicate on the other thread) think RO should:

(a) send a private letter expressing disappopintment
(b) not get involved in public demands for a ritual apology and so on.

]


Agree with that. A simple withdrawal of sponsorship without public comment is perfectly eloquent. I would also not delay on a decision. Make your mind up before close of play today. Otherwise any impact will be lost. The club acted quickly, so would Oxvox have done, (although I accept there is a semi official slant to be considered in re trust of course.

[scooter]

Gone for option 3 accepting comments from Boris on another thread that the club will not allow a public apology but a private one should be possible.

[Science Parker]

It shouldn't be impossible for the club, Rage Online as sponsor and the player to agree a statement and a series of actions.

I think some kind of charitable event/collection for the ward he was on would be a good place to start.

[boris]

I asked Kelvin if there was any follow-up statement from Sam planned, or if there was any other info that might affect our decision. His response:

I understand your position, however we as a club have taken our action and have drawn a line under the incident. We will be doing some education with Sam and the other young players in the new year, with Piara Powar and the Kick Racism out of Football campaign staff.

Does this help? Probably not.

[Baboo]

Boris, have you the option to speak to LSD?
Surely it wouldn't take long to ascertain whether he is a racist not worthy of sponsorship or a rather naive young lad who gave no real thought to what he was saying.

[boris]

I can drop him an email, but tbh I've really no idea what any response to that would prove - I'm sure he would be contrite, but whether it would be sincere or not is open to question. As I've said elsewhere, there's a culture of casual racism in football, and there's no guarantee that anyone else we sponsor isn't also guilty of thinking the same thoughts as Sam (although they may not be quite so naive/drug-addled to articulate them in public).

I think the club is taking the right steps, and working with Piara Powar is a good way forward as he understands football culture and has his head screwed on. But that still doesn't help to determine what the RO response should be. I'm inclined to think that we should ask for our sponsorship to be diverted to Declan Benjamin's away shirt and leave it at that, but haven't completely made up my mind so if someone wants to change it please state your cases.

[Brahma Bull]

Well the poll seems to suggest that Rage Online sticks with the sponsorship, even with the response from Kelvin Thomas, based on Sam making a private comment and apology.

I am disappointed that the club aren't taking the Rage Online concerns seriously enough, I fully expected Sam to be made to make some public apology or an apology to the people who sponsored him.

Pleasing to hear that they plan to educate the 'kids' with the help of Piara Powar but an apology hasn't been made, not directly from Sam anyway.

As much as I want you chaps to support him and aid him in his re-education, I am getting the impression Sam is being 'gagged'.

The withdrawel of the sponsorship, I believe, harms the club greater than them getting Sam to comment (as it will get reported). An apology afterall is the least people should expect.

Am I wrong or have I not seen no public apology from LSD?

[Baboo]

I can drop him an email, but tbh I've really no idea what any response to that would prove - I'm sure he would be contrite, but whether it would be sincere or not is open to question.

Face to face / Body language - tells so much more.

Presumably the offending comments have now been removed from Sam's Facebook. Has he not put an apology / explanation on there?

[amershamwrighty]

I really don't want to provoke howls of indignation, but..... I think the boat might have been missed.

If there were to have been a withdrawal of sponsorship, it should have been done within 24 hours.

There is little room for debate - what LSD said was offensive, socially unacceptable and as I understand it, in direct conflict with what RO stands for.

Whatever the mitigating circumstances, any action should have been taken after 24 hours of seeking views and - in the absence of those views - unilaterally. Democracy has a part to play, but should be limited by time.

Either this is to be taken seriously, or it isn't.

[GodalmingYellow]

Well the poll seems to suggest that Rage Online sticks with the sponsorship, even with the response from Kelvin Thomas, based on Sam making a private comment and apology.

I am disappointed that the club aren't taking the Rage Online concerns seriously enough, I fully expected Sam to be made to make some public apology or an apology to the people who sponsored him.

Pleasing to hear that they plan to educate the 'kids' with the help of Piara Powar but an apology hasn't been made, not directly from Sam anyway.

As much as I want you chaps to support him and aid him in his re-education, I am getting the impression Sam is being 'gagged'.

The withdrawel of the sponsorship, I believe, harms the club greater than them getting Sam to comment (as it will get reported). An apology afterall is the least people should expect.

Am I wrong or have I not seen no public apology from LSD?

No the poll clearly says withdraw the sponsorship.

[Science Parker]

The poll says withdraw the sponsorship unless he makes an apology. It seems he has made a private apology and also one on his facebook page. Moreover the club has also thoguht about educating younger players about racism

[boris]

I can't see any apology on his Facebook page. Nor have I heard of any private apology (I wouldn't take notice of anything written on TIU, as a lot of people with an agenda have raised their ugly heads on there).