[View the story "Chivas USA's 'Latino' problem" on Storify ]Chivas USA's 'Latino' problem The Los Angeles football club is accused of racial discrimination. Storified by The Stream · Fri, Jul 26 2013 12:59:01
Chivas USA: Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (HBO Sports)hbosports
After the HBO report aired Tuesday night, Chivas USA issued a statement on Wednesday. Here is part of the club's response:
We aim to work in an environment reigned by harmony, regardless of skin color, language, and beliefs, which is also the base to one of our greatest strengths, as it allows multiple ideas to flow and complement each other. Therefore, we are disappointed by the intent of some individuals who have chosen to use our diversity to define our club as a racist and discriminatory environment by reporting an incomplete and one-sided story in order to damage the image of Chivas USA and the hard working individuals who are part of our community. At Chivas USA we are all part of the same Red-and-White colors and ideology, which strives for both personal and professional fulfillment on and off the field. We absolutely reject any form of discrimination and racism. “Our true nationality is mankind.” H. G. Wellscdchivasusa.com
News of the HBO report spread online throughout the week. Many football fans took to Twitter to criticise the club and its owner,
Jorge Vergara .
#realsports @cdchivasusa Mexican owner thinks he can discriminate in the US? I hope he gets sued until he broke, doesn't deserve be in US!Korben Dallas
Just watched the Real Sports story on Chivas USA's racial discrimination. Very well done. Franchise remains biggest embarrassment in MLS.Mark Norris
Chivas USA... the only thing i have to say as a Mexican is... Jorge Vergara needs to leave the Soccer business foreverHG | Eder García
Vergara is an embarrassment to Chivas USA and the league. If you didn't see the HBO investigation, you need to check it out. #MLSTotal MLS
This image, posted by
@futbolsocal shows one of the coaches who was let go.
#RealSports ChivasUSA discrimination piece. Surreal to see one of my favorite memories and my pic make the final cut http://pic.twitter.com/WU5lz5JcaWFutbol SoCal
The HBO report also mentioned a Chivas USA application form asking the ethnicity of children interested in the club's youth program.
Parents filling out forms with theirs and child's ethnicities?... Yikes. #realsports #ChivasUSALisa Bregman
US football reporter Grant Wahl caught the segment yesterday, sparking more debate about the club.
Finally saw Chivas USA exposé on HBO Real Sports. Thorough job by @Soledad_OBrien. Some good people at the club. Vergara is the problem.Grant Wahl
In response, José Luis Sánchez Solá, a former Chivas USA manager, defended the club":
"@GrantWahl this is not an embarrassment. You don't have authority to write that Vergara is the latest embarrassment and that Chivas is a blight to MLS." @GrantWahl ninguna vergüenza.tu no tienes ninguna autoridad para escribir q el Vergara es el último embarrassment y que chivas es blight mlsJosé Luis Sanchez
Soledad O’Brien, who hosted CNN’s “Latino in America,” should know that Chivas USA became an MLS team specifically to appeal to the approximately 4 million Mexicans who live in the LA media market. Its sister organization, Chivas de Guadalajara, is the only team in Mexico’s first-division football league to be 100% Mexican. Hiring Mexican players was always part of the deal when Chivas USA become an MLS franchise. Sports once again exposes the phony notion of a “Latino community” as a marketing gimmick. Stay tuned for more on the lawsuit, the HBO-Soledad O’Brien hit piece, and more discussion on how the Chivas USA controversy is a thinly veiled attack on Mexicans.thinkmexican.tumblr.com
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