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Bellator women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg is the latest athlete to speak out regarding the controversy surrounding Kyrie Irving.
Cyborg recently weighed in on the Irving debacle after he shared a link that promoted the film Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America. Allegedly, the film promotes antisemitism. Cyborg condemned the former NBA champion’s controversial post.
She also supported other influential athletes and analysts such as Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Lebron James who did the same:
“I appreciate athletes like Charles Barkley, Shaq, and Lebron James publicly condemn Kyrie Irving’s antisemitism comments. There is no space for this type of verbal conditioning because it grows when others don’t speak out against it.”
James, who played with Irving and won an NBA championship with him as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, gave his thoughts on the controversy:
“Nobody can benefit from that and I believe what Kyrie did cause some harm to a lot of people. And he has since, over the last – I think it was today, or yesterday – he apologized. But he caused some harm and I think it’s unfortunate.”
What’s next for Kyrie Irving?
It looks like Kyrie Irving will be held accountable for his actions by his franchise. The Brooklyn Nets have suspended the former NBA champion for a minimum of 5 games.
The Nets point-guard issued an apology on his Instagram account and said that he is taking full responsibility for his actions:
“While doing research on YHWH, 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 and responsibly for my actions.”
In addition to the suspension, it was reported that Irving will need to fulfill a host of other conditions before he can return to the team. These include apologizing, condemning the documentary, and meeting with Jewish leaders. A $500k donation to anti-hate causes alongwith sensitivity and antisemitic training is seemingly also on the cards for 'Uncle Drew'. Finally, he'd also have to agree to a meeting with Nets' owner Joe Tsai.
