What do we know about Kyrie Irving’s suspension so far?
The Brooklyn Nets have suspended Kyrie Irving without pay for at least five games for promoting an anti-Semitic film and not immediately apologizing for it.
Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving’s controversial actions have once again put him in hot water. The point guard has been suspended without pay for posting a link to a film that contains falsehoods and hateful statements against Jewish people, and then refusing to apologize for what he did.
In a statement, the Nets said that they had been trying to help Irving understand how dangerous and harmful his actions were. But in a media session where the 30-year-old had an opportunity clarify the matter, he refused to say sorry and did not categorically state that he had no anti-Jewish beliefs.
Nets: Kyrie ‘unfit’ to be a team member
The franchise therefore announced that Irving “is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets.” They say that he will be suspended for “no less than five games,” but this period could go longer.
The suspension will be lifted when the organization thinks that the player “satisfies a series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct.” At the moment, it is not yet known what these remedial measures include.
Thanks, but no thanks
On Wednesday, the team and Irving announced that they would donate $500,000 to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to help in fighting anti-Semitism and bigotry.
However, following Irving’s statements to the media, the ADL announced they would no longer accept the money because they believed that the player “feels no accountability for his actions.”
Finally, an apology
Since then, Irving has apologized unequivocally and accepted accountability on his Instagram account for sharing the anti-Jew film.
“I posted a documentary that contained some false anti-Semitic statements, narratives, and language that were untrue and offensive to the Jewish race/religion, and I take full accountability… for my actions,” he wrote.
“To all Jewish families and communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize,” he added.
Irving also said that he wanted to clarify any confusion on where he stands regarding hateful speech against the Jews “by apologizing for posting the documentary without context and a factual explanation outlining the specific beliefs in the documentary I agreed with and disagreed with.”
The seven-time All-Star has publicly apologized and accepted responsibility for his actions, and it is yet to be determined if this could be considered a “remedial measure that addresses the harmful impact of his conduct” that would count towards lifting Irving’s suspension.