Middlesbrough's Egyptian footballer Mido was subjected to Islamophobic abuse at the weekend's Tyne-Tees derby.
Newcastle supporters were chanting ‘Mido, he’s got a bomb you know’, though all you would have seen on Match of the Day was him being booked for telling them to "shut it" after scoring.
This isn't the first time that this has happened to Egyptian internationalist. It appears that while other prejudice has been eliminated from English grounds (let's leave the Scottish ones aside just now), Islamophobia remains a problem.
Coverage was also given to the issue in the Guardian, and while the Daily Mail did have an article leading on the fact that he was abused, they strangely omitted to mention what form it took.
UPDATE: The FA are investigating
UPDATE: More on this from Marina Hyde
There is a difference between being "Islamophobic" where you are true fear within you, and being a "Islamophobic terrorism" where you take advantage of the situation and deliberately incite hatred to encourage a reaction in your favour. This example is of "Islamophobic terrorism" aimed at increasing the hatred for anyone linked to Islam.
Posted by: Infidel & Kafir Watch | 27 August 2007 at 05:37 PM
These guys are the sons of the men who used to throw bananas on the pitch at black players. Their ignorance should not be tolerated.
Those found guilty, and the clubs should find out those who are doing this, should be banned for life.
Posted by: Abu Sinan | 28 August 2007 at 03:42 PM
As-Salaamu 'alaikum, They also shouted "Mido is a paedo", possibly a reference to the Cleveland child abuse scandal of the 1980s.
Posted by: Yusuf Smith | 28 August 2007 at 08:47 PM
Assalamualaikum
I haven't heard about this incident at all in the media aside from some vague references to 'incidents involving a player'.
Then they wonder why we are so disillusioned with the media.
By the way have you checked out the latest article on ummahpulse.co.uk - it is about Scotland. I would be interested to know what your take on it is.
Wassalam
http://ummahpulse.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=196&Itemid=37
Posted by: Abu Musa | 29 August 2007 at 10:03 AM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6968562.stm>Call for action over Mido chants
BBC England
29 Aug 2007
Posted by: joe90 | 30 August 2007 at 01:26 AM
Middlesbrough? I wouldnt play for them just because Gascoigne played there.
Posted by: Abu Sinan | 14 September 2007 at 05:54 PM
I think you will find when analysing this incident carefully is that it is not a case of pre-meditated Islamic abuse but an outburst by an uneducated group of football supporters.
Away fans have a strong bonding and because they are small in number the whole of the group sing the same songs.
It is simply a herd mentality. This incident, now it has been covered in some small way in the media, may actually help to educate some of these fans who may be feeling a little bit of shame.
Hopefully other fans around the country will also receive a bit of education.
Posted by: Online Sports Guy | 10 October 2007 at 03:05 PM