Cricket Ireland forced to respond to ‘breath-takingly crass’ article in government owned Zimbabwe newspaper
While most countries will have a strong press reaction to a tough sporting defeat the response of the government owned Zimbabwe Herald to Ireland’s win over the country at the cricket World Cup has to be seen to be believed.
The article is essentially one long tirade at John Mooney, who made a much debated catch near the end of the game. The piece is littered with personal attacks against Mooney and some well-known aspects of his life are used in a totally inappropriate fashion. In fact, it is so over the top that this morning Cricket Ireland have issued the following statement.
Warren Deutrom, Chief Executive Cricket Ireland said: “In relation to the story that has appeared in today’s Zimbabwe Herald, it would be easy to dismiss it as a childish diatribe if it wasn’t for the vicious personal attack on John which cannot pass without comment, and possible action. John represents his country with honour, distinction and integrity. That he does in the face of personal challenges about which he has spoken openly and movingly demonstrates incredible hard work and great courage.
“We understand, as does John, that public figures may occasionally be subject to negative comment, but in mocking John in such a contemptuous fashion, and using his personal difficulties as a mere punchline, the Zimbabwe Herald has demonstrated breath-taking crassness and a gross error of editorial judgement. We have made contact with ICC to understand what remedies might be available to us.”
Cricket Ireland will be making no further comment on the matter.
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