Totalsports removes Etzebeth posters
Not all South Africans are happy with the decision by sportswear outlet Totalsports to remove posters Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth from their stores.
The player has been accused of using a racial slur during an altercation at a pub in Langebaan in August.
Etzebeth has applied to review and set aside the South African Human Rights Commission's (SAHRC) decision to institute legal proceedings against him following the incident.
In a statement, Totalsports said the removal of Etzebeth posters in their stores is an attempt to disassociate the brand from any form of controversy.
The media controversy surrounding Eben Etzebeth has been felt in our stores. As a brand, we don’t do controversies, we do sport. We made the decision to remove his poster.
— Totalsports (@TotalsportsSA) October 28, 2019
Without taking sides/passing judgement, we wanted to ensure all our customers feel comfortable in our stores
Some fans have accused the franchise of taking a rash decision.
So you chose sides and judged. You’ll be judged by the court of the society. You don’t lose customers because of the sports stars you have in your windows - you lose customers because they are so frikken expensive. This is a real dumb move and will make a bad business worse. Bye
— Kevin Green (@AKevgreen) October 29, 2019
Well now i dont feel welcome in your stores because i dont find people quilty until proven to be quilty - you will only now begin to feel the backlash in your stores from real springbok supporters
— bennie vd westhuizen (@bennie2706) October 28, 2019