Dark-skinned football players strongly opposed the idea of testing a vaccine against coronavirus infection COVID-19 in Africa. The current and former players of leading European clubs called this proposal, made by French doctors, a manifestation of racism.
The scandal began with a speech by scientists from Jean-Paul Peace and Camille Lauch on the LCI television channel. They supported the idea that coronavirus can be cured with the Bacillus Calmet-Guerin vaccine, which is used against tuberculosis. To do this, it is necessary to conduct research, however, according to the World, they cannot be organized in Europe, because due to quarantine people became more susceptible to a new infection, and the results of the control groups will be inaccurate.
Mira offered to conduct research in Africa, where, he said, not enough measures were being taken to combat coronavirus. At the same time, he drew an analogy with testing HIV drugs at prostitutes, as they are “vulnerable and do not protect themselves.” Losh supported the suggestion of a colleague and agreed that Africa should take part in research.
The words of scientists provoked an angry reaction among French viewers, and sports stars supported her. Former footballer of the national team of Cameroon, “Barcelona” and “Chelsea” Samuel Eto'o was one of the first to comment on the proposal of scientists, without restraining emotions.
“Africa is not your playground,” Eto'o wrote on Instagram.
He was supported by Senegalese Demba Ba, who also played in the past for Chelsea and other European football clubs. He called the statements of Peace and Losch racism.
“Welcome to the West, where white people consider themselves so superior to others that racism and dementia are becoming commonplace,” Ba told his Twitter subscribers.
Bienvenue en occident, la où le blanc se croit tellement supérieur que racisme et débilité deviennent banalité. TIME TO RISE ✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/R08R7K9QAw
- Demba Ba (@dembabafoot) April 2, 2020Ivorian Didier Drogba did not stand aside from the scandal. He urged to find a vaccine against coronavirus as soon as possible, but not to use the inhabitants of Africa as experimental ones.
“It doesn’t fit in my head that I have to repeat it again and again. Africa is not a field for experimentation. I want to publicly condemn these humiliating human dignity incorrect and, above all, deeply racist words. Help us save Africa from COVID-19 and align the curve (graphics of new infections. - RT). Let’s escape from this raging virus, which causes a sharp decline in the global economy and harms the health of the population around the world. Do not mistake Africans for guinea pigs! It's just outrageous, ”Drogba wrote on social media.
Scientists who became the object of criticism hastened to declare that their proposal was misunderstood. The world, to which threats began to come, said that he would like to conduct research in Africa along with Europe and Australia to obtain more accurate results. He denied allegations of racism and apologized.
However, this did not stop the negative reaction. Dark-skinned players born in Europe joined the players from Africa. Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger admitted that he could not immediately describe the emotions that gripped him when he heard about the proposal of scientists.
“It took me a while to find the words for these people. Two French doctors on television suggest testing a vaccine for COVID-19 in Africa. Are the Africans any animals ?! It's a shame! This is the clearest manifestation of racism and a monstrous attack against all black people. How was it allowed in France to put it on the air? ” - surprised the German footballer.
It took me some time to find some words for these guys ... 😠😠 Two French doctors suggest on TV to carry on experiment for Covid-19 vaccine in Africa ... like the Africans are some sort of animals!?!? Disgraceful! 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️ This is racism at its highest level and ... https://t.co/5zd5gtVTqD
- Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) April 4, 2020The player of Bayern David Alaba, in turn, doubted the competence of scientists.
"Trying a vaccine on COVID-19 in Africa?" Are these two doctors or clowns? I could not imagine such a manifestation of racism. This is outrageous and unacceptable! We all need to rally and fight this virus together, ”Alaba wrote on Twitter.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, all football competitions were stopped, except for the championship of Belarus. The proliferation of COVID-19 caused the postponement of Euro 2020 to 2021. At the moment, it is not known when the drawing of the national championships and European competitions, which were interrupted in mid-March, will resume.