«Africa Power.» But what went through the heads of the editors of the Spanish sports daily Brand when making this “one”? Wanting to put forward a so-called “new strategy” in the recruitment of Real Madrid, the newspaper, already known for its lightness in terms of verifying information and for its chauvinism, displays the players of African origin in the Madrid workforce, white tunics on their backs, in front of a card of the continent decked out in symbols that could not be more cliché: from the dromedary to the giraffe, passing by emblematic trees of the savannah.
“African blood”
But, slight problem, the six players mentioned are European: Ferland Mendy, Karim Benzema, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni are French, David Alaba is Austrian, and Antonio Rüdiger German.
To justify himself, Brand explain that “Real Madrid have found a new roadmap in their transfer policy”. “They boast of having African roots despite growing up far from the continent. They reinforce a path that has been opened with Eto’o, Geremi, Zidane, Makelele or Diarra. On his site, Brand evoked “African blood” of Real Madrid by listing the players from the continent who have played for the club, but also those with origins there.
“Uninhibited Racism”
Arguments that seem at least very awkward. And some Internet users simply see it as a “uninhibited racism”. The front page has been very shared on social networks since Monday morning, mainly to criticize the choice of Brand. “Imagine this one in a French media, anything” or “Shame Brand, who could validate that? can we read on Twitter. Even the unofficial French-speaking account of Real Madrid supporters wonders: “Very strange this poster of Brand.» And the former football specialist of RMC Sports, Mohamed Bouhafsi, to note that none of these players “has never played in Africa”. According to him, “most outrageous” is to consider that Real would have a new recruitment policy as if these players had “different bodies”.
At this time, the Spanish daily, the most widely read paid newspaper in Spain, has not reacted to the wave of indignation caused by its front page.