President Joe Biden’s chief Covid adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci has responded to NBA stars such as Kyrie Irving, who are accused of spreading misinformation on Covid vaccines, in an interview with a conservative radio host.
It has been widely reported that around 90% of NBA stars have been vaccinated, with LeBron James finally coming out and confirming that he has received his jabs after doing his own “research.”
And while it has been threatened that unvaccinated stars will be docked pay and could potentially lose millions if they are unable to play, the likes of the Brooklyn Nets’ Irving and Orlando Magic’s Jonathan Isaac stand accused of being anti-vax by a Rolling Stone piece last week.
More specifically, Irving is said to have been spotted ‘liking’ outlandish conspiracy theory posts on social media, with the theorist in question claiming that “‘secret societies’ are implanting vaccines to connect Black people to a master computer as part of ‘a plan of Satan’.”
“This Moderna microchip misinformation campaign has spread across multiple NBA locker rooms and group chats, according to several of the dozen-plus current players, Hall-of-Famers, league executives, arena workers and virologists interviewed for this story over the past week,” according to the Rolling Stone article.
“Kyrie Irving and other major stars in the NBA refused to get vaccinated,”noted Hewitt to Fauci on the former’s podcast.
“They suggest there’s a lot of things wrong with the vaccine. Would you speak directly to Kyrie about the damage he is doing by spreading vaccine lies?” the host asked.
“I think you have to put it into perspective of what is going on in the country with regard to Covid-19, the now, you know, inching close to 700,000 deaths with a vaccine that unequivocally from a scientific and public health standpoint has been shown to be highly effective and safe,” Fauci responded.
“And although I do respect people’s individual rights to make their decisions, there is also a part of it, Hugh, that is what I refer to as societal responsibility.
“And although there are individual choices that people can make, when you’re dealing with a deadly pandemic, you’ve got to also understand your responsibility to the society within which you live.
“So I wouldn’t want to be pointing a finger at this young man, but I would hope to be able to get him to understand that by allowing the virus to infect you, even though as an individual you say ‘I’ll take my own chances, I don’t care, I’m young, I’m healthy, the likelihood that I’m going to get a serious disease is low’, which is true.
“You can’t deny that. But what happens is that when you do get infected, it’s very well likely that you might pass that infection on to someone who would suffer very terribly from that virus. So you don’t want to be a vehicle for the propagation of an outbreak that unequivocally has devastated society,” Fauci finished.
I didn’t even notice this. Kyrie Irving’s aunt says Irving is going to present alternate “research” about why you “necessarily don’t have to take the vaccine” and refers to Fauci as “False-y.” Okay. pic.twitter.com/Tl23qThtWd
Hewitt tried to push Fauci into responding to the likes of Irving directly for putting “stuff online that suggest that the vaccine is dangerous.”
“Well, you know, you tell them that it’s untrue,” began Fauci.
“The fact is these are people, they’re not stupid people. And yet, they [have] somehow or other, been convinced of things that are just not factual.”
“I mean, you look at the data. The data are overwhelming that these are highly effective and safe,” he went on.
“And if you look at the track record of vaccines in general, what they’ve done for society and the benefit/risk ratio overwhelmingly weighs in favor of the benefit.
“And it’s just factual. I mean, it’s, sometimes it’s inexplicable that people can look at data and just say it doesn’t exist. I mean, it does,” Fauci concluded.
Kyrie Irving on if he expects to play in home games this season:
“Everything will be released at a due date once we get this cleared up. As of right now, please respect my privacy.” pic.twitter.com/W7fqrFkWY5
Meanwhile, New York City mayor Bill Blasio has implored Irving to get vaccinated as continuing in his current predicament would ban him from playing home games in Brooklyn during the upcoming NBA season.
“We have a rule that has to be applied, whether you’re famous, whether you’re not famous, you know, whether you’re everyday working man or woman – get vaccinated because that’s what makes us all safe,” de Blasio said when asked if figures such as Irving could use “wiggle room” around the Big Apple’s rules that require “proof of at least one dose of vaccination for all workers and individuals in indoor entertainment and performing arts venues”.
“Look, I’m a fan,” de Blasio said more specifically regarding the 29-year-old. “I’m a fan of the Nets. I live in Brooklyn. I’m a fan of Kyrie. I would just appeal to him, get vaccinated.
“Your fans want to see you. We all want you back. Your teammates want you back. Look, there are teams now that are 100 percent vaccinated. That’s a great example to everyone else,” the mayor signed off.
The Russian head of international boxing organization the AIBA has promised action after an investigation suggested more than 10 boxing matches at the 2016 Rio Olympics were manipulated.
The investigation was commissioned by the AIBA and headed by Professor Richard McLaren, who said the “seeds had been sown” years before.
McLaren – who is well-known for his doping allegations against Russia – said his team were unable to determine the exact number of bouts that were manipulated but indicated there were as many as 11 ‘suspicious’ fights – and possibly more.
Prof. McLaren's investigation revealed a system for manipulating results at Rio 2016. Our boxers deserve a fair fight. AIBA is committed to uncovering the truth and acting on it. AIBA will take all necessary steps to ensure justice for the past, and a fair future. pic.twitter.com/qErQYSoL1n
One of the fights under investigation had been that of Irish boxer Michael Conlan, who lost a bantamweight quarter-final to Russia’s Vladimir Nikitin which proved to be highly controversial, with many believing the Irishman should have won the fight.
Following his defeat at the time, Conlan said: “They’re known for being cheats. Amateur boxing stinks from the core right to the top. It’s about whoever pays the most money.”
Conlan reacted to the news of the McLaren report on Twitter, saying: “Lads I want my medal, get it sorted and I’ll DM you my address. Thanks.”
The fight involving Russia’s Evgeny Tischenko and Kazakhstan’s Vasily Levit for the heavyweight gold medal has also been questioned, while Great Britain’s Joe Joyce’s super heavyweight fight with France’s Tony Yoka likewise raised suspicion.
The investigation also claimed that the Olympic qualifiers for Rio were the “practice ground” where the manipulation methods were “fine-tuned”.
Russian AIBA President Umar Kremlev said: “Professor McLaren and his team have identified a system for manipulating the results of bouts at the Rio 2016 boxing tournament.
“I am determined to ensure that boxers receive a fair fight. This determination is demonstrated by AIBA’s clear commitment to uncovering the truth and acting on it.”
Kremlev has promised justice for the boxers affected and vowed that the AIBA would seek legal advice on how to punish those found guilty of wrong doing.
Those officiating at the upcoming AIBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in Belgrade will now be subject to tougher selection criteria including background checks.
Amateur boxing could yet face more problems in the coming weeks and months however, with the IOC warning it has concerns over the judging at the AIBA youth World Championships and the Asian Championships.
The AIBA had been stripped of its ability to run the boxing at the Olympics in Tokyo and there is also concern from some that the sport could be removed from the 2024 Paris Olympics entirely.
Irish jockey Oisin Murphy was taken to hospital with facial injuries after being involved in a scary incident at Salisbury racecourse in the UK as he was thrown into a fence by his out-of-control horse, Oasis Gift.
Irish jockey Oisin Murphy was taken to hospital with facial injuries after being involved in a scary incident at Salisbury racecourse in the UK as he was thrown into a fence by his out-of-control horse, Oasis Gift.
Murphy was unseated from the saddle as Oasis Gift, who is a juvenile debutant, bolted across the parade ring.
Breaking news: Champion jockey @oismurphy is receiving medical treatment after this dramatic incident in the paddock at Salisbury
Medics quickly attend to Murphy who suffered facial injuries as a result of the fall and was taken to hospital by ambulance, although he was able to make his way to the vehicle to himself.
Salisbury’s clerk of the course, Jeremy Martin, said: “He’s gone off to hospital for checks. He was obviously thrown into the parade ring rail but remained conscious.
“He’s got a cut lip, but he remained conscious and the doctor said he scored full marks in the concussion test.
“He walked to the ambulance after a few minutes of being assessed on the ground and he’s just gone off to hospital to be checked over.
“The horse then ran loose for a few minutes so he’s obviously none the worse but thankfully it looks like Oisin has avoided more serious injuries so we’re very thankful.”
Oisin Murphy getting an absolute clattering here. Being attended to by racecourse medics. pic.twitter.com/wVr2GVweP3
The video of the incident was shared widely on social media with people wishing both jockey and horse well.
“Oisin Murphy getting an absolute clattering here. Being attended to by racecourse medics,” said racing writer Sam Morgan.
“Scary incident at Salisbury just now. Hope Oisin Murphy is OK,” read another comment on Twitter.
“Nasty incident at Salisbury with Oasis Gift bolting in the parade ring and ditching Oisin Murphy,” said one fan.
Others questioned the need to share the clip, with one observer writing: “Scary incident at Salisbury earlier, glad to hear Oisin Murphy is fine, and the horse.
“Not sure what the need is to post the video onto social media though, don’t think many would be crying out to view it.”
According to Racing TV, Murphy is already planning to be back in the saddle tomorrow after being stitched up.
“I’ve got no other problems and will be back tomorrow,” said the 26-year-old, who is due to compete in five races at Ascot on Friday.
Oasis Gift also emerged unscathed after continuing to gallop loose before being caught and brought under control.
A British football fan who racially abused a player from his own team has been jailed for eight weeks after suggesting that the black star should win the ‘Baboon d’Or’ in reference to the sport’s highest individual accolade.
Simon Silwood, aged 50, claimed in his defense that predictive text on his mobile phone changed the word ‘buffoon’ to ‘baboon’ at the time he made the comment regarding West Bromich Albion midfielder Romaine Sawyers.
Silwood made the racist remark while referencing the Ballon d’Or accolade awarded by France Football, which is currently held by former FC Barcelona icon Lionel Messi, after his club nicknamed the Baggies received a 5-0 thumping from eventual Premier League champions Manchester City on January 26 of this year.
He later admitted to being made upset by the scoreline, but blamed the error on predictive text while using Facebook and denied that he was racist.
West Bromwich Albion fan Simon Silwood, aged 50 was today jailed for eight weeks for racially abusing midfielder Romaine Sawyers online.
Silwood was ordered to pay £500 compensation to Sawyers and £500 costs.
Eventually convicting Silwood of sending an offensive message under the Communications Act earlier in September, police proved that the mistake simply wasn’t possible.
On Thursday, Silwood was jailed for eight weeks and ordered to pay out £500 ($673) in compensation to the Championship player, plus the same amount for his costs when he was sentenced at Birmingham Magistrates Court.
There, Distrcit Judge Briony Clarke told him that he had shown little remorse and that there was “no place for racism online”.
It was previously reported that PC Stuart Ward – the UK’s first officer dedicated to hate crimes – led the investigation that resulted in Silwood’s arrest.
West Bromwich Albion forwarded his message to West Midlands Police, which caused Silwood to be traced and arrested the very same day while later banned from WBA matches for life.
After the case reached its conclusion, PC Ward remarked that: “abusing anyone for the colour of their skin is disgusting and can never, ever be condoned.”
The 8-week prison sentence handed to Simon Silwood, who was found guilty of racially abusing Romaine Sawyers on Facebook, is believed to be the first time in England + Wales that a person has been given an immediate custodial sentence for the online racial abuse of a footballer
“There’s no place for racism in football or society in general. Silwood is old enough to know such appalling behaviour is not only wrong, but is absolutely deplorable,” Ward added.
“Sadly we’ve seen a rise in online hate crime over the last 12 months and we won’t hesitate to take action against those responsible, as this case shows.”
“As part of my role I’m working with partners to change this unacceptable culture of abuse and this includes education around discrimination.
“I know from personal experience how being a victim of racism hurts while offenders risk their own aspirations through getting a criminal record.
“I would like to thank Romaine and West Bromwich Albion for their assistance during this investigation,” Ward finished.
Yet Silwood’s woes might not be over as Mark Johnson of the Crime Prosecution service revealed that an appeal will be made for him to receive more jail time.
“In the 21st Century, it should be incomprehensible how a so-called football fan can abuse a player based on race, let alone a player on the team he purports to support,” Johnson said.
“Silwood deliberately chose a word known to have clear racist connotations to abuse a footballer due to the color of his skin.
“Such behavior will not be tolerated in football and will be prosecuted by the CPS. As this is a hate crime, we will apply for a harsher sentence to reflect that.”
Later, Sawyer released his own statement through WBA where he welcomed the sentencing and wanted to focus on putting the row behind him.
“Racial abuse towards anyone, in any circumstance, is totally unacceptable, and I hope this case will serve as a deterrent to others,” Sawyer started.
“This is an incident that has affected me deeply, but I would like to encourage fellow players to report all racial abuse to the police. We must together stand strong in order to rid the game, and wider society, of this hideous behavior.
“It is widely accepted that social media companies must do more to stop the publication of racism on their platforms. I again urge them to take the necessary action required to prevent anyone from receiving the abuse I experienced.”
As well as thanking PC Stuard Ward and his club, “for their tireless support and professionalism during what has been a difficult eight months for me personally,” Sawyer also applauded “the Baggies fan who bravely came forward to report what they had seen”.
“It is important we all remain vigilant in the fight against racism, so please, if you are aware of racism, it is essential you report it,” he stressed.
“It is important to me to turn this negative experience into something positive and I will, therefore, donate the £500 awarded to me as compensation to a local West Midlands charity.”
Golden Boy Promotions head Oscar De La Hoya has taken a bizarre shot at Matchroom rival Eddie Hearn, accusing him of ruining Anthony Joshua’s career while receiving a face massage from girlfriend Holly Sonders.
The former six-weight world champion was reacting to Hearn’s latest show, headlined by Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk while enjoyed by 65,000 punters at Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium, and pretended not to know his name while rambling through the livestream.
“I’ll tell you one thing the, uh…” De La Hoya begins, before asking for confirmation from Sonders on the fighters.
“Joshua versus Usyk, which nobody saw in the US, because…”
Oscar De La Hoya firing shots at Eddie Hearn after Anthony Joshua's defeat to Oleksandr Usyk…
“What’s that promoter that doesn’t know how to.. that has no clue of what to do in the US? I think his name is Hearn or something,” De La Hoya adds.
“Oh, Thomas Hearn?” Sonders, a sports presenter and model, says.
“Yeah, Thomas Hearn. Thomas Hearn…” De La Hoya starts again, thinking he is addressing the Brit directly.
“Stay in the UK. Promote your fights. You have no clue what you are doing in the US. DAZN is doing the right thing by sticking with Golden Boy.”
“Stay away from the US,” De Lay Hoya also says.
“He does not know how to promote in America – Usyk crowned himself world champion and Eddie Hearn ruined Joshua’s career,” he finishes, regarding the Ukrainian’s points win that relieved the 2012 Olympic gold medalist of his heavyweight straps.
What makes De La Hoya’s rant even stranger is that he likely knows full well who Hearn is, with the promoter practically running British boxing and also being involved with the likes of Mexican megastar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
As implied, Golden Boy Promotions has an exclusive deal with DAZN to show the bouts of fighters such as lightweight and welterweight contenders Ryan Garcia and Vergil Ortiz, but so too does Matchroom with their agreement recently boosted for a further five years in July for a reported $135 million.
Above all, De La Hoya is perhaps bitter over having lost pound-for-pound king ‘Canelo’ to Hearn.
Despite him not signing directly with Matchroom, the Mexican’s last few fights have been promoted by the UK firm, and the two parties will also move forward together for his upcoming super middleweight unification meeting with Caleb Plant on November 6 in Las Vegas.
Perhaps De La Hoya should focus on his own affairs, and getting face messages from Sonders whenever he can.
Rumored to have shacked up earlier this year, after meeting at a boxing event in June, the pair struck up a union after Sonders broke off her engagement to sports betting consultant Dave Oancea known as ‘Vegas Dave’.
