Lions Selection - Racist Slur against Armitage

[prand]

So I'm there watching out for an update on the Lions Squad on Sky (13.30 announcement BTW) and Dick Best (ex England coach) comes out with an absolute blinder.

When being asked about who he would pick for the Lions he stated that he would have our very own Delon Armitage on the wing. The interviewer pushed him, asking whether the likes of Tommy Bowe in their favoured positions wouldn't be more suitable choices, at which point Best, presumably thinking he was off-air, leaned in and said to the presenter 'yes, but you've got to have one coloured guy in the team haven't you?'

What a tool.

http://news.google.co.uk/news?hl=en&q=dick+bes...

[hornetrider]

fk me. We haven't heard the end of this, I'm sure. That's outrageous!

[prand]

Even worse, Armitage didn't even get into the 37 man Lions squad. He must be feeling great this afternoon.

[anonymous-user]

Shades of Ron Atkinson there.

[v15ben]

I thought that was what Best said, but my mind said even he wasn't that daft! He must have thought the camera was no longer rolling!

[prand]

prand][quote said:

He must have thought the camera was no longer rolling!

As I've seen said elsewhere, the "Atkinson Defence" is no defence in my eyes. To say such a thing in front of anyone, let alone in front of a journalist and a rolling camera shows terrible judgement, and an awful attitude.

I feel for Ugo Monye who has been picked who must be having mixed feelings now, and I feel for all the black players who have played under Best.

Edited by prand on Tuesday 21st April 16:03

[v15ben]

I totally agree that the Atkinson defence is a load of tosh, but presumably that was what was in Best's mind when he made the remark.

[Bosshogg76]

Hmm what a start to the Tour, still if Dick Best is going with the press corps it'll be like taking coals to Newcastle, (Oh that was a slightly unfortunate turn of phrase). Anyway hopefully we wont be to precious out there, or we will be crying into our milk by bed time.