Antoine Griezmann accused of racism over blackface costume tweet
French international footballer Antoine Griezmann has caused a storm after posting a picture of himself in ‘blackface’ as part of a basketball star fancy dress costume for an 80s-themed Christmas party.
In the tweet, which has since been deleted, Griezmann appears in blackface and dressed in an ‘NBA All Stars’ jersey in the style of the famous Harlem Globetrotters exhibition team, with the caption “80s party” accompanied by emojis.
Surely someone could have advised Antoine Griezmann that this may have been a silly idea... pic.twitter.com/ujsrJMnOEM
— UNILAD Football (@UNILADFooty) December 17, 2017
Blackface originated in the 19th century when white thespians used makeup to cover their skin to play black characters. The practice has largely been discontinued, as it is deemed by many as outdated and in poor taste.
Griezmann has since been scolded on social media, with many Twitter users reacting in disgust to the costume and accusing the Atletico Madrid forward of racism.
If you're asking how is that racist re: Antoine Griezmann then you're part of the problem. Casual racism is still prevalent in society and that pic of Griezmann is evidence of that. Whether it's intentional or not is irrelevant.
— Luke Foley 🇦🇺 (@LukeAFoley) December 17, 2017
The only positive thing that came out of Antoine Griezmann dumbass blackface costume, is that I learned "Supprime le tweet c’est mieux" is how you say "delete this tweet" in French
— Pogi B (@pogibTW) December 17, 2017
What is Antoine Griezmann thinking? And is there nobody around him to tell him that is a very bad idea?
— John Bennett (@JohnBennettBBC) December 17, 2017
Meanwhile, some users thought the response was an overreaction, and defended the player, insisting the costume was not racist.
If @AntoGriezmann is racist for dressing up as a black man I guess people should criticise the movie white chicks #AntoineGriezmann
— Brandon Lee (@brandon_lee1884) December 17, 2017
As a mixed race man I would like to say I am not offended #AntoineGriezmann these #Liberals and #PC do gooders want to ruin fun for everyone #fancydress#HarlemGlobeTrotters
— Kamehameha!!!! (@NeilCFCJohns) December 18, 2017
In response to the negative reactions, the 26-year-old wrote: “Calm down guys, I’m a fan of the Harlem globetrotters and the good times… It’s a tribute.”
He later deleted the original tweet before posted an apology, writing in French: “I agree that it's awkward for me. If I hurt some people excuse me.”
Je reconnais que c’est maladroit de ma part. Si j’ai blessé certaines personnes je m’en excuse.
— Antoine Griezmann (@AntoGriezmann) December 17, 2017
Griezmann is seemingly a basketball fan, as one of the two accounts he is following on Twitter is the National Basketball Association (NBA) official account. The other is the official account of Atletico Madrid.
Last week, Griezmann's manager at Atletico, Diego Simeone, said that the player would be allowed to leave the club, with Barcelona, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain reportedly interested in signing him.
