Ryan Flamingo sings antisemitic song during PSV title celebration: fan fury erupts
Eindhoven was turned upside down – but not because of the fair. The PSV celebration at Stadhuisplein descended into scandal when Ryan Flamingo let himself go with an utterly disgusting song. The defender, who had become a fan favourite this season, belted out a chant from the stage that was packed with antisemitic slogans.
According to several clips circulating on social media, Ryan Flamingo joined in with a chant referencing the Holocaust and violence against Jews. It’s not the first time an Eredivisie player has fallen into this trap, but the brazenness of this moment – right in the middle of a festive parade – truly takes the biscuit.
What exactly did Flamingo sing?
Although the audio quality isn’t crystal clear everywhere, the lyrics are plain as day to most: it’s a version of the notorious 'Hamas, Hamas, Jews to the gas'. Former pros and supporters’ groups immediately rebelled. Ryan Flamingo himself has yet to respond, but his club PSV said through a spokesperson that they are 'studying the footage'. Yet anyone who has ever set foot inside a stadium knows that this kind of language is way over the line.
- PSV Supporters’ Club demands a public apology and a suspension for Flamingo.
- A well-known anti-racism organisation is filing a complaint, pointing out the illegal nature of the song.
- A pundit from the biggest football broadcaster called it "unforgivable and stupid".
- Fans of a traditional rival have mixed reactions: outrage, but also schadenfreude over the blunder.
Hill and the shadow over the celebration
The name Hill has cropped up in the debate as a possible instigator – according to insiders, someone from that corner shouted the lyrics, and Flamingo went along. Whether that’s true doesn’t really matter. As a professional footballer with a role model status, it’s your responsibility to stamp out that kind of fire immediately, not pour petrol on it. The celebration, which was meant to be about the championship and the euphoria around the manager, is now permanently tainted.
As far as I’m concerned, enough is enough. We’ve been dealing with antisemitism in and around stadiums in the Netherlands for years. From 'Jew hunts' at away matches to hate chants at other clubs – but a player of Ryan Flamingo’s calibre stooping to this is a new low. The league must come down hard: a suspension of at least ten matches and mandatory educational training. Better yet: just sack him on the spot.
PSV will issue an official statement later today. Until then, the question remains: how clever is it to let your entire championship party be hijacked by one idiotic song? Ryan Flamingo, you’ve got plenty of time to report to the Jewish information centre and to express your remorse. If you don’t, you won’t be welcome at the Philips Stadium again. Full stop.