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 across Quebec’s political class.
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, on Monday, Mr. Grande found himself for a few hours at the head of the CF Montreal reserve team. And this, despite these remarks that he has always denied having made, claiming a “piracy”. And despite publications where he called the sovereignists “hillbillies” (“settlers”), “farmers” or downright “stupid”.
Tuesday, after a series 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. »
During a press briefing held in the early afternoon, the president and CEO of CF Montreal, Gabriel Gervais, made a point of apologizing more particularly to the former prime minister Pauline Marois. He agreed that he went through the hiring process fully aware of Sandro Grande’s “slightly troubled past”.
“I take responsibility for this decision,” he said, confirming that team owner Joey Saputo had been made aware.
The club wanted to give a new chance to the ex-player — who had also been cut by the Impact in 2009 after grabbing his teammate Mauro Biello by the throat in the middle of a match — indicated Mr. Gervais. “There are things that made us give him a second chance. We have to admit today that it was a mistake,” he said.
“Unacceptable and hurtful”
After strongly condemning the hiring of Mr. Grande on Tuesday morning, the Prime Minister Francois Legault praised on Twitter the decision to thank him. “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.
.@cfmontreal made the necessary decision. The remarks towards Ms. Marois remain unacceptable.
Hate, racism and misogyny have no place in our societies, and I hope the club will continue to embody the Montreal values of respect and inclusion.
— Valerie Plante (@Val_Plante) January 10, 2023
“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. He had to go to the media to explain himself, said Gabriel Gervais on Tuesday. In the end, he never had the chance.
According to the co-spokesperson of Quebec solidaire, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, the “generic” message of Mr. Grande was insufficient and “all this could have been avoided if the Club had exercised basic common sense”. The Liberal Party of Quebec, for its part, described the new hire as “unacceptable”.
The one who was to support Mr. Grande at the top of the reserve team, Patrick Viollat, will take on the role of head coach in the future.