Guilty of falling into rather questionable humor, the Chicoutimi Saguenéens probably did not think they would cause so much discussion by publishing, Wednesday evening, a video aimed at promoting the team’s derivative products at their store in the run-up to Christmas.
A rather easy big balls joke, then an unflattering comparison between a cow and a Quebec Remparts fan. What did we expect? To be nominated for the Les Olivier Gala?
• Read also: “Now, your blonde has very beautiful balls”: the Saguenéens of Chicoutimi in embarrassment
After being contacted by the QMJHL earlier this week, the Saguenéens organization finally recognized its error and decided to remove the controversial video from its TikTok account on Thursday morning.
“It was a mistake,” said the QMJHL communications director, Maxime Blouin, when contacted by The newspaperFriday.
“I quickly asked for the video to be removed and everything was done in a professional and understanding manner on the part of the Saguenéens,” explained Mr. Blouin. I am personally a big fan of humor to communicate, especially with new generations, but there are certain subjects which are sometimes more sensitive and with which we must exercise more caution.
The Ramparts attacked
A clumsiness and probably a slight lack of judgment.
“If we keep the context that it is at the second or third level of TikTok, there is no reprimand to be had,” nevertheless estimated Serge Proulx, director of operations of the Saguenéens, on the airwaves of TVA Nouvelles. On the other hand, we, as an organization, have to make adjustments. […] We will avoid videos like this at the controversy level, that’s for sure.”
“All stakeholders in the QMJHL community should assume that they represent the QMJHL and/or its member clubs at all times,” states the QMJHL social media policy. They should use good judgment when using social media.”
This time, good judgment was clearly lacking. In said video, an employee made certain comments that could be considered contemptuous. Thus, when showing a cow bell illustrated by the same animal to the camera, it was mentioned: “look, a supporter of the Remparts who shows you her snout”.
Big balls…
In order to sell Christmas baubles bearing the image of the Saguenéens, we have once again pushed the humor down.
“Your blonde has very nice balls. You find them perfect, but she wants bigger ones, new ones… A Christmas bauble from the Saguenéens! It’s blue, it’s round, it’s smooth and it’s perfect.”
The social media policy of the QMJHL, now called the Maritimes Quebec Junior Hockey League, provides for disciplinary measures for “inappropriate, derogatory, racist or sexist comments.” So far, nothing has been announced, not even a major penalty of 10 minutes for bad driving.
Official apology
Friday afternoon, the Saguenéens organization officially apologized in a press release.
“The video with a humorous tone dedicated to the Tiktok platform was not published with the intention of hurting or offending people,” it was stated. The Saguenéens organization would like to sincerely apologize to the people affected by the content of the video.
As specified, the management of the Saguenéens is committed to following “the professional integrity training provided by the city” while now respecting “the Saguenay city communication standards”.