{"id":55401,"date":"2021-04-08T01:55:44","date_gmt":"2021-04-08T01:55:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=55401"},"modified":"2021-04-08T02:58:10","modified_gmt":"2021-04-08T02:58:10","slug":"kiwi-commentator-taken-off-air-for-racist-accent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=55401","title":{"rendered":"Kiwi commentator taken off air for racist accent"},"content":{"rendered":"

Joe Wheeler has been taken off air by Sky Sport after his comments mocking the Asian accent following the Highlanders' win over the Crusaders last Friday night.<\/a><\/p>\n

In an email to Stuff<\/em> on Wednesday, a Sky spokesperson said: "Joe Wheeler has apologised for his comments and Sky has made it clear where we stand.<\/p>\n

"Joe has acknowledged that he has some work to do and we're supporting him through this. Joe is off air at this time."<\/p>\n

The spokesperson did not specify how long the rugby presenter would be off air.<\/p>\n

The only place rugby fans can watch every match is Stan Sport. Start your free sport trial now!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Wheeler's on-air remarks came after Friday's Super Rugby Aotearoa clash between the Crusaders and the Highlanders in Christchurch.<\/p>\n

He asked Highlanders first five-eighth Mitchell Hunt about the performance of Japanese team-mate Kazuki Himeno, who starred in their 33-12 upset victory over the defending champions.<\/p>\n

"He was leally impressive, wasn't he? He was leally, leally good," Wheeler said to Hunt.<\/p>\n

Shortly after, Wheeler apologised on Twitter. Other users described the comments as "disgraceful" and "disgusting".<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Rising Aussie powerhouse threatening Crusaders<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Brad Thorn's revealing post-game interview<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Cheika shoots down fairytale NSW return<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/joey_wheelz\/status\/1377912477749374981?s=20<\/a><\/p>\n

"Tonight I stuffed up," he wrote on Friday night.<\/p>\n

He said he had spoken to Himeno and apologised to him and the Highlanders for his conduct.<\/p>\n

"I absolutely accept this is not the standard expected of the sideline team," he said.<\/p>\n

"I've got some work to do obviously, but I'm absolutely committed to doing better."<\/p>\n

Before taking Wheeler off air, Sky chief executive Sophie Moloney said the comments were "very disappointing".<\/p>\n

"They are not who we are at Sky, and we need to do better," Moloney said in a statement on Saturday.<\/p>\n

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

"Joey Wheeler has apologised sincerely and is genuinely very sorry and remorseful for his mistake; and we are working closely with Joey and will continue to reinforce what is expected of all of our team.<\/p>\n

"We will learn from this, and we will keep striving to reflect and respect everyone in our community."<\/p>\n

Race relations commissioner Meng Foon condemned Wheeler's remarks.<\/p>\n

He said such off-hand comments and racist micro-aggressions could stack up and become hurtful.<\/p>\n

"These sorts of comments are best not heard nowadays," Foon told Stuff<\/em> on Saturday.<\/em><\/p>\n

"There's a huge sensitivity on racism issues now going forward, and I know the younger generation is definitely not tolerating this."<\/p>\n

\"Shute<\/p>\n

Foon said with a change in society's values and relationships with diverse communities, language and accents should be respected.<\/p>\n

Off-hand comments were bad and a stereotype, he said, and even if someone laughed a comment off, they could be hurting underneath.<\/p>\n

"All the micro-aggressions that accumulate, even though they may be small, they do become quite tiresome and hurtful to the people receiving them, so these new micro-aggressions need to stop."<\/p>\n

Himeno replied to Wheeler's tweet on Friday night, saying he accepted his apology.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

"It's ok joe. Let's enjoy and celebrate our big victory. Let's go landers!!"<\/p>\n

Wheeler, 33, hung up his boots in 2020 after a 12-year professional rugby career and has turned to broadcasting.<\/p>\n

The former lock played for his hometown team Tasman, the Crusaders, the Highlanders, the M\u0101ori All Blacks and Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath.<\/p>\n

He won a Super Rugby title with the Highlanders in 2015 and last played for them in 2017.<\/p>\n

– This article originally appeared on stuff.co.nz and is reproduced with permission<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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