Geoffrey Boycott makes racist remarks in pursuit for 'Knighthood'

England legend Geoffrey Boycott, who recently claimed that the current West Indies squad is the worst Test team he has seen in the last 50 years, sparked off a race row after commenting that he has a better chance of receiving the Knighthood if he ‘blacked up’ his face. The incident occurred during a Q&A session amidst the day/night Test at Edgbaston where he suggested that knighthoods were handed out like “confetti” to West Indies greats.

Earlier, the English veteran was being blocked twice from receiving the knighthood for being a convict in France in 1996. Even though he fought the conviction, it was eventually upheld. On the other hand, eleven West Indian greats including Sir Garfield Sobers, Vivian Richards and Curtly Ambrose were given the privilege.

As a result, the 76-year-old popular television commentator claimed the process of knighthood is similar to handing confetti’s to VIP guests during a break in play at the day/night Test against the West Indies in Birmingham on Saturday. Geoffrey Boycott then went on to state, “Mine’s been turned down twice. I’d better black me face,” to a Sky Sports Presenter hosting the session, according to Mirror.

Boycott tagged as a ‘Dinosaur’

What followed after his racist comment, intended to get a laugh, was an awkward silence in a room full of black guest who paid nearly 300 Pounds each for a luxury hospitality package. Needless to say, the comments weren’t well-received by the diners, who branded him as a ‘dinosaur’.

“It was a crass comment. It was intended to get a laugh but it went down like a lead balloon. People were offended. Is Boycott suggesting these great West Indians got knighthoods merely because of the colour of their skin? Birmingham is celebrated for its ethnic diversity and racial tolerance,” the diner added.