BBC presenter called out for 'racist' World Cup tweet against Senegal

Senegal

British businessman turned BBC TV star Alan Sugar came under fire Wednesday after tweeting a picture of the Senegal national football team with the caption “I recognise some of these guys from the beach in Marbella”.

Dear ⁦Lord_Sugar⁩, I’m afraid no Senegalese or African will see this as funny. What you wrote was hurtful and plays to a racist stereotype. If you really don’t see what’s wrong with what you’ve written, you have a lot to learn still. You should know better! pic.twitter.com/T4W44Cx83s
— Osasu Obayiuwana (osasuo) June 20, 2018

The Apprentice presenter took down the post after being accused of racism.

“Seems it has been interpreted in the wrong way as offensive by a few people… frankly I can’t see that but I think it’s funny,’‘ he explained.

Alongside the picture of the Senegal team, Sugar also posted images of sunglasses and handbags for sale on a beach.

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Racial stereotype?

Actress Kelechi Okafor tweeted that Sugar was “constructing this joke on the premise that all black people look alike, are poor and cannot achieve social mobility.

“This is why I say that racism is too deeply ingrained within the British psyche for certain people to even realise how damaging and hurtful their ‘jokes’ are.”

BBC journalist Babita Sharma added: “A shocking, vile tweet that you take a screen grab of because you know it will soon be deleted.”

Sugar eventually deleted the offensive tweet and apologised.

I misjudged me earlier tweet. It was in no way intended to cause offence, and clearly my attempt at humour has backfired. I have deleted the tweet and am very sorry.

— Lord Sugar (@Lord_Sugar) June 20, 2018

Lord Sugar has acknowledged this was a seriously misjudged tweet, and he’s in no doubt about our view on this. It’s right he’s apologised unreservedly.

— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) June 20, 2018