Top Stories

Onyewu sues Anderlecht defender over racial slur

OguchiOnyewu (Reuters)  

This photo shows much happier times for U.S. national team defender Oguchi Onyewu, who is seen celebrating Standard Liege's Belgian League championship, which was won by defeating Anderlecht in a playoff.

It was during that same playoff series that Onyewu alleges that Anderlecht defender Jelles Van Damme uttered a racial slur at Onyewu. A week after the incident, Onyewu has taken action, filing suit against Van Damme in Belgian court.

Onyewu told Yanks Abroad that Van Damme called him a monkey several times in an attempt to incide the American defender.

"I almost ended up fighting him," Onyewu told Yanks Abroad.

The suit comes after Onyewu played what was his last game in the Belgian First Division. He is now a free agent and stated on Monday that he wants to move on to a bigger league.

What do you think of this news? Disappointed to see racism still playing a role in the game of soccer? Proud of Onyewu for standing up for what he believes in? Think the suit will do any good?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. The amount of pro-Gooch, “ha ha serves him right” sentiment is predictable. These are the people who deny base levels of human biodiversity. Someone called me “a little chubby” this past weekend. What, do you suppose, are my legal entitlements? There is little utility in pursuing this thought experiment, since the SWPL crowd drinks its koolaid quite proudly. Personally, I lost a lot of respect for the national team mainstay when I read about this nonsense. I hope the case is tossed quickly.

    Reply
  2. @ aristotle:

    How the hell do i infer that im for killing small children? WHo says i hate children?

    Making assumptions about me and calling me names and that whining you do does not make your stance any better.

    so i guess according to you, New York is a bunch of facsists since they ban the use of the N-word. Im just saying that ones rights should not reach a point where it endangers others (mentally and physically) and the Supreme Court has upheld that ideology. I guess they should be arrested since they like killing small children too.

    Reply
  3. Suing someone because he called you a name is ridiculous. Passing laws against making racist statements is also ridiculous, because human beings have a natural right to think the way they wish and to speak the way they wish. If someone can haul you into court for expressing your views, then you are not free.

    Reply
  4. supsam:

    So you are for killing small children just because you don’t like them! You make me sick! You are the one who needs to be sued and put in jail!

    I have seen some pretty bad posts on this site over the years, but yours are the most idiotic, offensive, self righteous, hypocritical, dishonest posts I’ve ever seen here.

    Really, it’s frightening to know that people like you are allowed to roam free in public. You are one sick pup!

    Reply
  5. As an Anderlecht supporter i have to say this must be really embarrasing to him considering how many blacks their are in the team, especially the youth teams. Many of these players are from Africa or have parents from the former Belgian Congo. Interesting enough a former RSCA player Nenad Jestrovic was found guilty of racially abusing a player, (Sissoko?) and he ultimately left the club soon after.

    Reply
  6. I thought this was kind of ridiculous lawsuit until I read this on the Anderlecht web site.

    In the papers, lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, explains the complaint of Oguchi Onyewu against Van Damme. “Oguchi was convinced it was his duty to file a complaint.”
    According to Dupont Onyewu wants to talk in name of the “smaller” football players. “It’s time to make a clear signal towards this form of racism in a professional sport,” says Dupont. “It’s not our intention to put Jelle into jail, and we don’t want any money as well.” The lawyer hopes Jelle apologises in public. Then there will be no case he says.

    so basically, he’s not suing for money or punishment. It’s for awareness and apology. I can understand that.

    Reply
  7. @ jpc

    okay……so you think Gooch suing him is wrong but you think Gooch kicking his ass on T.V. isnt??? Violence solves nothing. Gooch stayed composed and stayed the MATURE one.

    @ aristotle

    So are you saying the KKK should go around towns shouting anti-black chants at the blacks there?? Grow up and interact with society. Freedom of speech should have its boundaries cuz this freedom can end up harming others (physically and/or mentally)

    What about the freedom to bear arms? What about the freedom to privacy? Arent they being restricted as we speak?

    @ Jack.K

    who the heck do you think you are by judging Gooch?? You dont even know him personally. What if he and his family had a history of being racially abused? Dont judge you ignorant insensitive prick. Go ahead, lose respect for Onyewu. Do you think he cares? Do you think we care? He will have more respect than you ever will.

    P.S thanks for sharing about how you have such a high self esteem compared to Gooch. Im sure we all enjoyed learning about you.

    Reply
  8. Gooch doesn’t make mistakes.

    he is awesome.

    i want Gooch to get that guy in a headlock and crush his skull.

    Gooch is a warrior.

    I want muscles like Gooch.

    Reply
  9. You guys are idiots. Gooch isn’t trying to win anything. It is being used to bring attention upon on-field racism in Europe.

    Reply
  10. Gooch should have just went [insert your fav monkey sound] to get the guy all worked up and reversed his psychology. The only thing that gooch is going to get from this is to prove the guy that his feelings were hurt. What to do these days about group think? Gooch, toughen up man! Be Proudzz! Stay Blackzz!

    Reply
  11. I’ve been called worse than a monkey while playing sports, but it doesn’t bother me cause I have a high self-esteem and that’s something Oneywu lacks. He needs some growing up to do and get rid of those insecurities he has.

    My have lost respect for Oneywu. Hopefully he regain it on Wed.

    Posted by: Jack K. – SBI Mafia Original | June 02, 2009 at 09:58 PM
    ————–

    Well, I’m delighted to learn that having high self-esteem actually confers upon one a Ph.D. in long-distance psychology. There goes all that pesky time wasted on knowing people and the context of their actions.

    Still, though your post grants us great insight into Onyewu’s character, we can only pray that Onyewu himself doesn’t read it before the upcoming qualifiers. Surely a man with his demonstrated insecurities would be crushed and forever thrown off his game to learn that he has lost your respect.

    Reply
  12. This issue is bigger than soccer. Gooch is doing the right thing by standing up for himself and others against the injustice of racism. We all deserve to be treated as equals. Gooch should be commended for his bravery.

    Reply
  13. My goodness…I can’t believe a lot of you people don’t even think this is serious. This man who offended Gooch should be killed immediately. Maybe his family too.

    It is truly a noble thing to sue someone when someone insults you with a racial slur. I am so proud of him! There is no place for freedom of speech in this new America! Many of the people speaking on this blog should be put in jail immediately. So many of you people are clearly inferior to me and shouldn’t even bother commenting.

    (I would like to sue many of the people on this blog for being pious frauds. Can you sue for that in Belgium?)

    Reply
  14. I agree with most of the people here, it’s ridiculous that Oneywu is wasting his time with this lawsuit. Instead he should concentrate on his career and find a team already.

    I’ve been called worse than a monkey while playing sports, but it doesn’t bother me cause I have a high self-esteem and that’s something Oneywu lacks. He needs some growing up to do and get rid of those insecurities he has.

    My have lost respect for Oneywu. Hopefully he regain it on Wed.

    Reply
  15. I don’t want to defend Van Dammes actions at all (unless we are talking about Jean Claude Van Damme’s actions at strip clubs around the world); BUT, with that said, I think suing him over calling him a monkey, or any racial slur for that matter is stupid (I don’t like the word stupid, but my brain is shutting down and its easy)…

    While its interesting that there are anti racial slur laws in Belgium (if that’s true), but in my opinion suing someone over what they say about you is wrong, unless those words materially harm you in some way

    I would have preferred he just beat Van Damme’s ass on TV

    Reply
  16. My God…I cant believe alot of you people dont even think this is serious and go even further to supporting the other guy. Right to freedom of speech?? What about the right to pursue happiness? There is a reason New York banned the N-word. We all must know our limitations and racism is overstepping freedom of speech. Some of you guys are flat out ignorant. If you have never been called by a racist term than dont bother commenting.

    Reply
  17. I’m glad Gooch is doing this, I wish more people would expose racist players for what they are – mental midgets. Force FIFA and whomever else to really do something about this.

    I’m glad to be from the same nation as Onyewu right now!

    Reply
  18. Can someone explain to me Van Damme’s tattoo? It looks like he has a heptagram on his elbow, which to me makes him a wiccan. Not that that necesarily makes him a racist or a bad person. Just interesting.

    Reply
  19. The Gooch to Birmingham rumors have been floating around since the Wolves left the table. It does seem like a good fit for him. He’s absolutely ready for the EPL now.

    Reply
  20. Not to segway from racism, a serious and important topic, but my friend who’s a diehard Birmingham fan in London says that the Blues might be signing Gooch.

    Reply
  21. Good goin, Gooch. I think that’s the way to do it. Violence doesn’t solve the situation, but dragging the guy through court may make a difference.

    Reply
  22. This is pretty old news but I’m glad Gooch is standing up for himself!! Don’t let this racist bring you down Gooch. Your better than that scum.

    Reply
  23. More threadjack–Kaka to Real Madrid, WOW!

    Onyewu shouldn’t have had to seek legal remedies. The KBVB or Jupiler league should be the party taking action. Somebody in another post compared the situation to Latino player in MLS. Please. In MLS, like in all U.S. leagues, the clubs have no tolerance for racial slurs targeted at players or other fans. Do it as a fan at an MLS game and you will be escorted from the premises in short order.

    Reply
  24. I’m proud of how Gooch handled this – kept his composure on the field, won the game, and filed suit against the racist jackass afterwards.

    Reply
  25. I honestly don’t know Belgian law well enough to have any idea whether this suit has any chance to succeed legally. (My superficial knowledge makes me think that the alleged insults wouldn’t count as a “public” incitement to violence or segregation under the 1981 law, and it looks like that law was narrowed by amendment in 2007 anyway.)

    But, as others have pointed out, winning the case probably isn’t Onyewu’s reason for suing. He seems to think that racist abuse is too widespread and tolerated in Belgian (and European?) soccer, and he thinks his lawsuit might call some attention to that.

    That may violate a lot of people’s (mine included) sense of the proper scope of free speech, but that doesn’t make it “frivolous.” It’s a serious gesture on behalf of a serious cause. He’s not doing it to make a buck or to avenge a personal insult. He’s doing it to call attention to a contemptible mentality that leaves a nasty taste in the mouths of a lot of players and fans. And he’s probably doing it because his success, prestige, and likely departure from Belgium make it safer for him to raise the issue that it would be for other black players and fans in Belgium.

    So even if you think protecting the right to free speech is more important protecting the right not to be targeted for abuse simply for one’s race, do be aware what’s at stake here and don’t trivialize an important issue.

    Reply
  26. So is he “sueing” him or is he “pressing criminal charges”?

    There’s a pretty big difference there. Civil proceedings would be an unneeded distraction, but laws is laws.

    Reply
  27. As for the John/Al17 bs, cut it guys. You both had the same side in the beginning. Don’t be internet a-holes.

    Posted by: j1mbr0wn | June 02, 2009 at 05:21 PM

    Nah, we’re not being asses & I think John feels exactly the same way I do about it, my point is that people need to truly understand why this is a big ass deal. It’s also why I directed a response to he and others in order for them to get an idea of what it might feel like for players experiencing it. It was the lack of sensitivity expressed that bothered the hell out of me.

    I still have the image of watching Samuel Eto’O being restrained by his a teammates a few years ago at Barca when he dealt with this crap from the stands and it still burns me up. This is serious crap and needs to be dealt with accordingly. Hopefully in my lifetime we’ll be able to say remember when…

    Reply
  28. I just want to say God Bless Gooch. Here’s hoping the lawsuit causes Van Damme severe damage.
    Take the money out of his pocket and the food off his table. Embarrass him as a person and a professional.

    Significantly limit his potential future earnings by having him correctly branded as a racist.

    Those punishments are much more damaging than a fist to the jaw. Go nuclear on these punks.

    Reply
  29. I think most here are missing the point. Gooch is NOT suing for money. He’s suing for attention to the issue. He’s suing to make a point. He is standing up and saying “This ain’t right!”

    As for the John/Al17 bs, cut it guys. You both had the same side in the beginning. Don’t be internet a-holes.

    Reply
  30. Kudos to Gooch for this action. What is he supposed to do? Just take it? Punch the guy? This is the most responsible action he could take. Calling him out for his actions. It’s a pretty brave thing for him to do. As you can see, he’s already receiving criticism for the suit.

    The net result is he’s bringing attention to this guy’s words. Some people will choose to believe that Gooch is making it up, but they will have to consider weather or not it is a reasonable action to call a player these names in a game. It’s certainly inappropriate, and perhaps illegal in Belgium. It’s a process and this is a step. Gooch won’t fix it, but it will be easier for the next guy.

    Reply
  31. Question to all : What do we call what will take place at Sarprissa Stadium when bags of urine, feces, batteries etc will hurled at the U.S. national team in the name of Costa Rican national pride?

    And what will FIFA do about it? Imagine if it was the other way around and we U.S. supporters did that to visiting CONCACAF team playing here in the United States?

    Posted by: Tom P | June 02, 2009 at 04:56 PM

    Tom that is completely different and incomparable. They’re creating a hostile environment and directing it toward an entire team not based on that team’s race. Hell more than half the Ticos are African America (.i.e African from the Americas). It wouldn’t surprise me if there were fans there calling some our players gringos but from my understanding Gringo is used for North Americans, if I’m wrong someone correct me. Those fans are more focused on acting as the 12th man on steroids. I’ve always wondered what would happen if we did this to a team playing against us in the US.

    If the same fans were making monkey noises like they did in a few European countries then we’re talking the same crap and FIFA and UEFA have addressed those issues. Personally I wish they were a bit more hard core in the action taken but they did take action.

    Reply
  32. Al17,

    Are you talking to me? Why don’t you try learning how to read and decipher what I am saying. All I have done for the last two years is defend Gooch as a premier defender when people hated on him. You’re not very bright are you? You are just a guy shooting his mouth off. You are not here to defend Gooch, you are here to defend yourself.If you read some of the other comments, you might have a heart attack. If Gooch would have reacted like you, he would be the one getting sued. Gooch is a class act unlike you. By the way, I am feeling lucky. I doubt very much you could put in the hospital… little boy. Oh my God, was that a racial overture? may the internet Gods sue me. By the way, half my family is black, fool. Quit making good people like them look bad by your bipolar reactions.

    Posted by: John | June 02, 2009 at 04:10 PM

    Didn’t feel so good reading what I wrote and having it directed to you did it? Now you have a slight idea of what Oguchi and others whom deal with crap remotely feel like. Hell, I’m more impressed that he didn’t pummel Van Damme’s ass into a galaxy far, far away. This has nothing to do with defending Gooch’s abilities as a player and for the record I was a fan when he was actually at Metz back in the day or the for the matter when he played on the same youth national teams with both Donovan and Beasley, so I’m very familiar with him. The topic of discussion is the racist remarks directed at him and of all people from an opponent. I’ve read the other comments and it’s why I use the the latin et al after your name and others. John, I’m assuming you’re not African American since you stated that half your family is black. I’m not sure where you’re going with that statement but you damn well will never know what it feels like to deal with that type of crap and thank goodness for it. I wish we all would never have to deal with it but the reality is that some of us will. I’m not sure if you’re from a minority group and if you are I’m a bit more in awe at your initial response since most minorities have had to deal with similar crap. Ask anyone from a minority group and even those whom haven’t dealt with it first hand have a pretty damn good idea of what I’m talking about and actually understand it more than you ever will. It’s a fact. Sucks but it’s true. I guess what I’m saying is that since you’re not Black, your experiences are limited to what’s expressed to you and you and others whom posted earlier should at the very least try to be a bit more sensitive and understanding in regards to why he and others would take such action.

    Reply
  33. Across Europe, hate speech has been deemed bad enough by various governments to warrant legal action. Most of formerly Nazi-occupied Europe has these laws. These laws are in place PRECISELY to stop the kind of slurs Van Damm allegedly laid on Gooch. It’s almost Gooch’s duty as a Belgian resident to report Van Damm, because in Belgium, he was breaking the law.

    We shouldn’t hold other countries to our legal standards in these situation. One of the gifts our forefathers gave us was the right to say what we want with only VERY broad limits…including the ability to expose ourselves as complete idiots. Evidently, that’s not the case in Belgium.

    Reply
  34. Question to all : What do we call what will take place at Sarprissa Stadium when bags of urine, feces, batteries etc will hurled at the U.S. national team in the name of Costa Rican national pride?

    And what will FIFA do about it? Imagine if it was the other way around and we U.S. supporters did that to visiting CONCACAF team playing here in the United States?

    Reply
  35. From what I’ve read about the anti-racisim law in Belgium, gooch has every right to sue. He probably won’t win if no one else heard the racial comments but taking the correct action in any situation takes courage.

    It is sad to see some of the comments on here. I hope none of you ever have to be in a situation like gooch was in. You would just crumble and let ignorance to continue to grow.

    Reply
  36. I don’t think Gooch is trying to “win” a lawsuit. I think he is trying to bring attention to the fact that this racism occurs and someone should get serious about it.

    Europe is a much more racist place than America is and Gooch is probably sick and tired of it all.

    Reply
  37. The most outrageous part of this–that I haven’t hear mentioned since the original incident–is that the Belgian FA said they weren’t going to look into it unless Liege or Gooch filed a formal complaint, even after it was brought to their attention. Ridiculous. That’s why he has to sue, to draw attention to the problem.

    Reply
  38. Sorry Rocco, etc. Gooch needs to sue, regardless of the chance of winning. Keep this issue and the person involved in the news as much as possible. That’s an ends itself, not just a means to an ends.

    Reply
  39. The posts on this blog in response to Gooch’s law suit range from funny to insightful, sublime, ridiculous and just plain nasty.

    Europe has very strict laws against these types of remarks but in actuality is more overtly racist then the U.S. Ultras in Italy and Spain do this and what does FIFA do- fine the clubs a pittance. It’s all about money. If this kind of open race batting went on at a NFL game you would have riots and chaos. In Europe, and yes my friends I have attended many matches in all divisions in 4 countries, this crap goes on all the time except in England. Also news flash for those of you who haven’t spent much time in Europe-Southern Europeans –Mediterranean’s if you will- are much more open and verbally racists then they are in the northern European countries. It doesn’t make them more or less racist then Northern Europeans-there just a hell of a lot more open about it.

    We are human beings- the most flawed creature inhabiting this planet. Get used to being pissed off a lot if your eyes and ears are indeed open.

    I do feel sorry for Gooch because he seems like such a classy, intelligent guy-the kind of guy who makes you feel proud to be a fellow american- and I am guess if he feels this is the best way to handle this then we should support him because if he would have just punched the guys lights out all that would of happened is FIFA would of given poor Gooch a life time ban and racists everywhere would say “see they can’t even control themselves”.

    Reply
  40. I can’t see him with evidence to win it,I think as people said I’m sure it was made to get under Gooch’s skin. If you look at the gold cup I remember a Honduran player touching Blanco down there and Blanco nailed the guy and got sent off.

    In other news, City signed Barry from Villa.

    Reply
  41. Likening humans of African lineage to apes is ignorant and wrong, but it is the basic right of all humans to be able to form these opinions, however misguided they are, as long as they don’t use them to incite physical harm or psychological distress.

    Posted by: Brett | June 02, 2009 at 04:07 PM

    Umm that is exactly what he was doing. And yes, we have the freedom to form these opinions, but we do not always have the right to share them.

    Reply
  42. Al17,

    Anglophiles? That’s racist and I’m sueing you in the Internets court.

    Posted by: This Guy | June 02, 2009 at 03:45 PM

    Bring it on — LOL. Internets court — love it. Thanks for making me smile even though the topic being discussed is sad.

    Reply
  43. I think Gooch took the chicken way out on this one…if he truly wanted to make a statement about racism, then he should’ve left the field and forced the teams/ref to do something about it. If he was that offended, do something immediately instead of the “American way” and sue – a lawsuit such as this is frivolous and does not bring as much attention to the matter as walking off the pitch and leaving your team short-handed in the championship match…if that would’ve happened, it would’ve gained much more press than this lawsuit ever will.

    Reply

Leave a Comment