Ryan Flamingo sings anti-Semitic song during PSV celebration: fan outrage
Eindhoven was turned upside down, but not because of the fair. PSV's celebration at Stadhuisplein descended into scandal when Ryan Flamingo let loose with an utterly disgusting song. The defender, who became a fan favourite this season, sang lyrics full of anti-Semitic slogans near the stage.
According to several videos circulating on social media, Ryan Flamingo chanted along to a song that references the Holocaust and violence against Jews. It's not the first time an Eredivisie player has fallen into this trap, but the audacity of doing this in the middle of a festive parade truly takes the cake.
What exactly did Flamingo sing?
Although the audio quality isn't clear everywhere, the lyrics are crystal clear to many: it's a version of the infamous 'Hamas, Hamas, Jews to the gas'. Former pros and supporter groups immediately revolted. Ryan Flamingo hasn't responded yet, but his club PSV has said through a spokesperson that they are 'studying the footage'. Anyone who has ever set foot in a stadium knows, however, that this kind of language is way over the line.
- PSV Supporters' Association demands a public apology and a suspension for Flamingo.
- A prominent anti-racism organisation is filing a police report, pointing out the illegal nature of the song.
- An analyst from the biggest football broadcaster called it "unforgivable and stupid".
- Supporters of a traditional rival have mixed reactions: outrage, but also schadenfreude over the blunder.
Hill and the shadow over the celebration
The name Hill keeps coming up in the discussion as a possible instigator – according to insiders, someone from that corner shouted the lyric, after which Flamingo joined in. Whether that's true doesn't really matter. As a professional footballer with a role model status, you have the responsibility to stamp out that kind of fire immediately, not to pour petrol on it. The celebration, which was meant to mark the championship and the euphoria around the coach, is now permanently tainted.
As far as I'm concerned, enough is enough. We've had problems with anti-Semitism in and around stadiums in the Netherlands for years. From 'Jew hunts' at away matches to hate slogans at other clubs – but a player of Ryan Flamingo's calibre stooping to this is a new low. The league must crack down hard: a suspension of at least ten matches and mandatory educational training. Even better: just sack him on the spot.
PSV will release an official statement later today. Until then, the question remains: how smart is it to let your entire championship party be hijacked by one stupid song? Ryan Flamingo, you have plenty of time to report to the Jewish information centre and express your regret. If you don't, you're no longer welcome at the Philips Stadion. Full stop.