Icon: enlarge
Was punished by the NBA: Meyers Leonard
Photo:
Lynne Sladky / AP
The professional basketball league NBA has suspended Meyers Leonard from runner-up Miami Heat for a week from all team activities because of an anti-Semitic statement.
To do this, the center must pay a fine of $ 50,000.
The basketball player had insulted another player by saying "Kike" during the video game.
This formulation is an English swear word for Jews.
He later apologized.
"I'm very sorry," the 29-year-old wrote on Instagram: "I didn't know what the word meant, my ignorance is absolutely no excuse, and I did wrong." Three video game companies ended their collaboration with Leonard who competed against another player in the first person shooter Call of Duty.
The Heat condemned "every form of hate speech" in a statement, the league announced its decision in a statement on Thursday.
“Meyer's Leonard's comment was inexcusable and insulting.
Such a term has no place in our league and our society, «says league boss Adam Silver.
His coach has also commented on the incident and condemned the words of the center in the strongest possible way.
"He uttered something extremely tasteless and hurtful," said coach Erik Spoelstra.
"It doesn't matter what he meant, it was just wrong."
The currently injured center will also be required to participate in a cultural diversity program, according to the NBA.
Yesterday he met with representatives of the Anti-Defamation League.
The organization stands up against discrimination and defamation of Jews.
Leonard should meet with the representatives to "better understand the implications of his words," Silver said.
Leonard sustained a shoulder injury in January and can no longer play this season.
Icon: The mirror
mjm / dpa
