Los Angeles (AFP)

Franchises, leagues, sporting bodies have all expressed their emotion in the past few days after the death of George Floyd and their indignation at the persistent racist violence that plagues the United States, momentum that has become global but not without contradictions.

Historically at the forefront of social change in the American sports landscape, the NBA was the first to react, just after the broadcast of the terrible video showing the ordeal of this black man, pressed to the ground, a white policeman pressing his knee on his neck for more than eight minutes.

From superstar LeBron James, always quick to make his voice heard to denounce racist acts, to legend Michael Jordan, yet often resistant to engagement, via NBA boss Adam Silver, all spoke. Even the coaches, considering that it is their duty as educators to act within the communities.

Aside from the New York Knicks, whose owner James Dolan felt they were "no better qualified than anyone to give (their) opinion on social issues", the franchises reacted as quickly, even if among the San Antonio Spurs, it is especially the coach Gregg Popovich who attacked Donald Trump, treating him of "disturbed idiot".

For over 35 years, the league has continued to take initiatives to combat racism, in particular by making Martin Luther King Day a major day of its season and by creating the platform "NBA Voices" which promotes equality and diversity. In 2014, Adam Silver even banned Donald Sterling for life for racist comments, forcing him to sell his Clippers franchise.

- The Kaepernick case -

In the wake of the NBA, where freedom of expression is sacred - even when it results in a diplomatic incident with China, such as in October with a tweet from a Houston Rockets leader in support of Hong Kong protesters -, the other leagues like MLB (baseball) and MLS (football) have largely expressed their indignation and sorrow.

Roger Goodell, boss of the NFL (American football), thus estimated that much remained to be done, "as well on the level of the country as of the league". And for good reason: it is composed of 70% of black players, but has only 3 coaches from minorities on 32 teams.

The body, which has just strengthened its hiring policy by requiring franchises to interview at least two external candidates from minorities for coaching positions, nevertheless dragging its management of the case Colin Kaepernick like a ball, ostracized for more than three years.

The former San Francisco 49ers star launched a protest movement in 2016 against police violence against blacks, kneeling during the American anthem. Donald Trump insulted him for this and no club has called him since.

He has not failed to call a demonstration in recent days. And LeBron James highlighted on Twitter a photo of the knee-down quarterback before a match next to that of the white policeman kneeling on Floyd, with this message: "Do you understand now !! ?? Or is it still blurry?" .

- Protests prohibited at the Games -

In the NHL, where the ice hockey players are overwhelmingly white, many players reacted and their franchises followed. But the RMNB specialized blog observes that only 13 of them raise the problem of racism in their press release, 8 mention George Floyd and 2 write "the life of blacks counts". A different tone.

The American Football Federation is satisfied with these words: "United against racism". However, it is this same authority which requires members of national selections to remain standing during the anthem.

A measure following the knee placed on the ground by militant star Megan Rapinoe, who had followed Kaepernick and is currently fighting with his world champion teammates for equal pay vis-à-vis their male counterparts.

Elsewhere, the International Athletics Federation has taken a clear stand, illustrating its message with the image of Americans Tommy Smith and John Carlos raising their fists at the 1968 Mexico Games to protest racial segregation in the United States.

A gesture made last year by the hammer thrower Gwen Berry at the Pan American Games, sanctioned by a test by her Olympic committee, to which she now asks for an apology after having seen that her director in turn denounced the racist police violence.

A gesture, finally, as no longer wants to see the International Olympic Committee, which warned that any political demonstration would be prohibited in Tokyo. The summer could have been hot on this ground. What will happen in 2021?

© 2020 AFP