Scottish tennis player Murray continues his match against Benneteau today at Wimbledon.
The Times June 30, 2006
Murray's website deluged with anti-Scots gibes
By Will Pavia
ANDY MURRAY, Britain’s last hope at Wimbledon, has found himself at the centre of a row over national identity and the delicate matter of England’s hopes in the World Cup.
What began with an off-hand comment during a press interview this month — that the Scottish teenager would be supporting “anyone but England” in the World Cup — occupied the Commons, the Scottish Parliament and senior government ministers yesterday.
By the afternoon Murray’s website, where he keeps a blog, had attracted more than 1,000 comments: criticism, abuse and support about his remark. One writer referred to the massacre that took place at the primary school in Dunblane, when the player was a 9-year-old pupil.
In the Commons Peter Wishart, of the Scottish National Party, called for an end to the “sickening hate mail”. Jack Straw, Leader of the House, said: “Everybody needs to have a sense of proportion in this.”
In the Scottish Parliament Nicola Sturgeon called on members to “condemn the disgraceful anti-Scottish abuse that’s been directed at Andy Murray”.
The player’s comments have revived the debate started by Jack McConnell, Scotland’s First Minister, when he said that he would not be supporting the England team.
Murray has tried to calm matters through his blog.
“Want to say that I’m not anti-English,” he has written. “I have supported Tim [Henman] the last ten years and he is English. Ricky Hatton is one of my favourite boxers and he is English. I said I think England will beat Portugal in my press conference! I made a joke I don’t mind whether England win or lose! Press blew it out of all proportion.”
Donna Nieghorn, landlady of the Crooked Billet, in Wimbledon village, said: “He made a few comments that haven’t given him the sort of support Tim had. However, we are so desperate to win that even a Scot who doesn’t like England will do.”
thetimesonline.co.uk
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Come on, Benneteau!
The Times June 30, 2006
Murray's website deluged with anti-Scots gibes
By Will Pavia
ANDY MURRAY, Britain’s last hope at Wimbledon, has found himself at the centre of a row over national identity and the delicate matter of England’s hopes in the World Cup.
What began with an off-hand comment during a press interview this month — that the Scottish teenager would be supporting “anyone but England” in the World Cup — occupied the Commons, the Scottish Parliament and senior government ministers yesterday.
By the afternoon Murray’s website, where he keeps a blog, had attracted more than 1,000 comments: criticism, abuse and support about his remark. One writer referred to the massacre that took place at the primary school in Dunblane, when the player was a 9-year-old pupil.
In the Commons Peter Wishart, of the Scottish National Party, called for an end to the “sickening hate mail”. Jack Straw, Leader of the House, said: “Everybody needs to have a sense of proportion in this.”
In the Scottish Parliament Nicola Sturgeon called on members to “condemn the disgraceful anti-Scottish abuse that’s been directed at Andy Murray”.
The player’s comments have revived the debate started by Jack McConnell, Scotland’s First Minister, when he said that he would not be supporting the England team.
Murray has tried to calm matters through his blog.
“Want to say that I’m not anti-English,” he has written. “I have supported Tim [Henman] the last ten years and he is English. Ricky Hatton is one of my favourite boxers and he is English. I said I think England will beat Portugal in my press conference! I made a joke I don’t mind whether England win or lose! Press blew it out of all proportion.”
Donna Nieghorn, landlady of the Crooked Billet, in Wimbledon village, said: “He made a few comments that haven’t given him the sort of support Tim had. However, we are so desperate to win that even a Scot who doesn’t like England will do.”
thetimesonline.co.uk
--------------------------------------------
Yeah, never mind the anti-Englishness that Murray caused in the first place. And at least Murray has not physically been beaten by an Englishman - unlike that 7 year old lad who was punched by a grown Scotsman for wearing an England shirt.In the Scottish Parliament Nicola Sturgeon called on members to “condemn the disgraceful anti-Scottish abuse that’s been directed at Andy Murray”.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Come on, Benneteau!