Sanctions were long overdue.
After promoting an anti-Semitic documentary, NBA star Kyrie Irving was suspended by his Brooklyn Nets franchise for five games (or more), mainly for refusing for a time to go back on his remarks.
“We were appalled, when given the opportunity in front of the press, that Kyrie refused to state unequivocally that he has no anti-Semitic beliefs, nor to acknowledge the hateful content specific to the film”, justified the Nets in a statement.
Statement from the Brooklyn Nets pic.twitter.com/699px8XYpx
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 4, 2022
“Such a failure to disavow anti-Semitism is deeply troubling, goes against our values and constitutes conduct detrimental to the team,” they added, going so far as to decide that Kyrie Irving “can no longer be associated with the club.
The five-game suspension is therefore still only provisional and will continue "as long as the player does not remedy the negative impact of his conduct".
Kyrie Irving has (finally) apologized
Another sanction expected, that of the NBA.
Her boss Adam Silver simply said he wanted to "meet Kyrie in person sometime next week to discuss this situation", after blaming him for not "unreservedly apologizing and specifically speaking out against vile and harmful conveyed by the film”.
An unfair decision according to NBA legend Charles Barkley who spoke on the set of TNT: “The NBA missed its shot.
I think Kyrie Irving should have been suspended.
Adam Silver should have suspended him.
»
Kyrie Irving posts on Instagram that he's “deeply sorry” pic.twitter.com/j6XVYp3i4m
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) November 4, 2022
For his part, Kyrie Irving finally apologized for his actions on his Instagram account: “To all the families of the Jewish community that I have hurt, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologies”.
The American star pledged on Wednesday to donate $500,000 to associations working to eradicate hatred and intolerance, including the ADL, an NGO that fights against all forms of anti-Semitism.
She has since refused her money.
Will these actions be enough for the leader of the Nets to restore his image and find the floors?
Nothing is certain.
