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Joey Barton told to ‘consider future’ after making Holocaust comparison
Published 10:05 26 Oct 2021 BST
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Barton made the comments after his Bristol Rovers side lost to Newport County last weekend
Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton has been told to consider his future as manager of the club after comparing his side's poor display to the Holocaust. Barton spoke after his Rovers team were beaten 3-1 by Newport County and when assessing what he saw in his post-match press conference, said to the media: "I said to the lads during the week, 'the team's almost like musical chairs'."Someone gets in and does well but then gets suspended or injured.
"Someone gets in for a game, does well but then has a Holocaust, a nightmare, an absolute disaster."
As expected, the comments made have seen the video go viral with large-scale backlash, with many calling for the Rovers boss to consider his future after his "appalling" comments. Speaking to the BBC, Dame Helen Hyde, a trustee of the National Holocaust Centre and Museum, feels that the 39-year-old's words show a lack of education on the subject. She said: "I don't think Mr Barton knows what the word means and he is certainly not aware of the huge sadness and offence he has caused. "Might I suggest he is encouraged to learn about these tragic events." Meanwhile, the Bristol Holocaust Memorial Day Steering Group said they were offended by the comments made and that they are disappointed to see neither the club or Barton come out and apologise for the comments made. They said: "To compare the poor performance of a player or team to a Holocaust shows a lack of understanding of the true barbarism, torture and evil that was inflicted on vulnerable groups in society. "As one of two professional football clubs that represent the city, it is saddening that neither the football club or the manager Joey Barton has issued an unequivocal apology."Explore more on these topics:
