A new CF Montreal coach who called sovereignists “stupid” and “settlers” in 2012 was disqualified from his post on Tuesday, after a tidal wave of backlash from Quebec politicians.
More than ten years ago, in the hours following Richard Henry Bain’s armed attack on the Parti Québécois’ victorious electoral rally in the Metropolis, the Twitter account of former Montreal Impact player Sandro Grande had displayed the following words: “The only mistake the shooter made last night was missing his target! Marois! Next time dude! I hope ! »
However, Monday evening, Mr. Grande found himself for a few hours at the head of the Academy of CF Montreal. Despite these remarks which he has always denied having made. Despite the publications where he called the sovereignists “hillbillies” (“settlers”), “farmers” or downright “stupid”.
Tuesday, after a tsunami of denunciations from the four parties represented in the National Assembly, the Montreal soccer team finally chose to reconsider its decision. “We recognize that the hiring of Sandro Grande was a mistake,” the club wrote in a statement. “We would like to offer our most sincere apologies to all those who have been injured or shocked. Obviously, we lacked sensitivity. »
CF Montreal President and CEO Gabriel Gervais is scheduled to answer questions from the media on Tuesday afternoon.
“Unacceptable and hurtful”
After strongly condemning the hiring of Mr. Grande on Tuesday morning, François Legault praised the team’s decision on Twitter. “This story should remind us of the importance of never trivializing the attack on the Metropolis that occurred in September 2012,” he said.
“Mr. Grande has made unacceptable and hurtful comments in the past. His appointment lacks respect and sends the wrong message,” he said in a statement sent by his cabinet in the morning.
Former Prime Minister Pauline Marois said she was “upset[ée] enormously “by the words of the former player. The day before, it was the leader of the Parti Québécois, Paul St-Pierre-Plamondon, who had started the ball rolling, on Twitter. “This tacit guarantee by the [CF Montréal est] untenable and extremely uncomfortable,” he wrote.
“Grande did not make a single trivial mistake or tweet too many one night, he repeatedly made filthy and criminal comments targeting more than 2 million people. [Québécois] separatists,” he added.
“I made serious mistakes several years ago and I am deeply sorry for disrespecting anyone,” Grande said through official team channels on Monday evening. I learned a lot from them and I know that I am joining an organization where the values of inclusion and diversity are fundamental. »
According to the co-spokesperson of Québec solidaire, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, this “generic” message was insufficient and “all this could have been avoided if the Club had shown basic common sense”. “The coach and the club owe the separatists and Pauline Marois an apology,” he tweeted on Tuesday. The Liberal Party of Quebec went further by describing the new hire as “unacceptable”.