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SPORTS Monday 19 February 2018

Capitals forward calls fans racial taunts 'disgusting'

By JOHN WAWROW and said they “are commit-
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — ted to providing an inclu-
Washington Capitals for- sive environment.”
ward Devante Smith-Pelly On Sunday, the Capitals
is disgusted and saddened released a statement say-
black athletes such as him- ing they are “extremely
self continue to be the tar- disappointed by the intol-
gets of racial taunts from erant behavior” by a select
fans. group of fans in Chicago.
“It’s sad that in 2018 we’re In thanking the Black-
still talking about the same hawks and arena security
thing over and over,” Smith- for removing the fans, the
Pelly said Sunday, a day af- Capitals said: “It is crucial
ter he was singled out by to confront such appalling
four fans in Chicago. conduct.”
“You’d think there would After the game on Satur-
be some sort of change or day, Coach Barry Trotz said
progression, but we’re still the player was “a little up-
working toward it, I guess, set.”
and we’re going to keep “There’s absolutely no
working toward it,” he said. place in the game of hock-
The comments were Smith- ey or our country for racism.
Pelly’s first a day after four And I think it’s disgusting,”
fans were ejected from Washington Capitals right wing Devante Smith-Pelly (25) argues with Chicago Blackhawks fans Trotz said. “It just shows ig-
Chicago’s United Center from the penalty box during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in norance.”
for chanting a racial taunt Chicago. The Blackhawks won 7-1. The 25-year-old Smith-Pel-
while he served a penalty (AP Photo/Jeff Haynes) ly is in his first season with
for fighting during the Capi- the Capitals. He also has
tals’ 7-1 loss to the Black- ment in British Columbia. ment saying the league the penalty box. played for Anaheim, Mon-
hawks. An off-ice official He said he stepped forward condemns the fans’ be- Bettman said the NHL plans treal and New Jersey.
sitting next to Smith-Pelly publicly to call out the fans havior and backs the to remind all stakeholders The fans’ taunts occurred
notified building security, for what they said because Blackhawks for ejecting the “they are entitled to enjoy during the NHL’s monthlong
and the fans were ejected. he didn’t want to “brush it offenders. a positive environment, “Hockey is for Everyone”
Smith-Pelly confirmed the under the rug.” Bettman says no one free from unacceptable, campaign to promote the
fans were chanting “bas- “I guess I’m trying to get the “should ever have to en- inappropriate, disruptive, game as being inclusive
ketball, basketball, basket- conversation started and dure such abuse at one of inconsiderate or unruly be- for all players regardless
ball,” and understood im- show whoever these peo- our games.” haviors or actions and may of race, color, religion, na-
mediately what it meant in ple were their true colors,” Video shows Smith-Pelly not engage in conduct tional origin or gender. Feb-
being directed at a black said Smith-Pelly following seated in looking and point- deemed detrimental to ruary is also Black History
hockey player in a sport practice in Buffalo, where ing to his left. He then gets that experience.” Month in the United States.
dominated by white ath- the Capitals will play the up with his stick and gets The Blackhawks issued a The NHL has had to previ-
letes. Smith-Pelly said he Sabres on Monday. into an exchange through statement apologizing to ously deal with racial insults.
was confronted with a simi- NHL Commissioner Gary the glass with a male fan Smith-Pelly and the Capi- During the 2014 play-
lar chant during a tourna- Bettman released a state- seated immediately next to tals following the game, offs, the Boston Bruins de-
nounced fans who posted
Groves beats Eubank Jr to retain WBA super middle belt racial comments on social
media targeting then-Mon-
treal Canadiens defense-
MANCHESTER, England (AP) ever, he appeared to have of the fight. He maintained quished his minor IBO belt man P.K. Subban, who is
— George Groves retained a shoulder injury at the end, his record of never being after the judges awarded black, after he scored in
the WBA super middle- which could hamper his knocked down but when the shrewd Groves the de- double overtime.
weight belt when he out- preparation for the final of he took a knee in the 10th cision by 117-112, 116-112, In 2011, a fan was fined
smarted Chris Eubank Jr the World Boxing Super Se- round Groves was frustrat- and 115-113. $200 after pleading guilty
by unanimous decision in ries in June, against Callum ed there was no count. Groves improved his record to engaging in a prohibited
Manchester Arena on Sat- Smith or Jurgen Brahmer. Eubank's stamina was ex- to 28-3 (20 KO) with his sec- activity for throwing a ba-
urday. Eubank was cut above the pected to be superior but ond defense of the WBA nana on the ice at Philadel-
Groves, who has fought in right eye in the third round he tired through the middle belt he took from Fedor phia Flyers forward Wayne
more big fights, used dis- from an apparent acci- rounds and finished with Chudinov last May. Simmonds, who is black,
tance wisely to pick and dental clash of heads, and a desperate flourish and Eubank suffered his second during an exhibition game
choose his moments. How- it bothered him for the rest careless abandon. He relin- defeat in 28 fights.q at London, Ontario.q