He Said, Il Dit
Thanks to Grabia for directing me to this story:
A war of words between Phoenix Coyote Shane Doan and Liberal Party Member of Parliament Denis Coderre has turned into a lawsuit.
To summarize, Doan was ejected from a game in December for verbally abusing a French-Canadian official. Denis Coderre then wrote to Hockey Canada asking for Doan to be removed from the Olympic Team on account of him allegedly uttering an ethnic slur during this dispute. Doan is now suing Coderre for defamation.
Coderre, a former Secretary of State for Amateur Sport, who by the way is fighting for his political life in Monday's Canadian election, asserts that something was said, despite an official from the Olympic Team exonerating Doan of any wrongdoing.
We don't know for sure what happened, but I do agree with Colby Cosh's analysis of the timing of Coderre's statements.
Also, kudos to Cosh for bringing up this story about The Great One and the 43rd President of the United States. For some reason I don't remember this at all.
posted by Alex @ 8:51 AM
3 long time listeners, first time callers
3 Comments:
The NHL also stated that Doan didn't do anything wrong. Coderre is a moron. That is twice now that candidates and parties in Quebec have tried to use the NHL and Team Canada to garner votes. I can't imagine it sits very well with players.
I wonder how many NHL players vote?
As a francophone, I have been watching this story very closely and I have yet to get an indication of any proof on the part of Coderre. It really seems as if he heard a rumour and launched wild accusations without any supporting evidence.
In today's La Presse, Jacques Demers said that he has been talking to NHL players about the incident and that word on the street (or dressing room) is that it was another player who yelled "fucking frenchmen" and not Doan. Yes, they actually write "fucking frenchmen" in Montreal newspapers.
The worst thing, however, is that many articles that followed Coderre's outburst, printed the alleged slur as fact. Some in the French media have forgotten that this is still speculation and not a hard fact.
Either way, it will be an interesting outcome. I can't wait to find out what is in the referee's report.
I am not a francophone, so please let me ask you this: is this a big deal in Quebec? I have francophone friends here, none of whom have said anything. I mean, is Coderre's story getting major play? The NHL has a long and nasty history in terms of how both francophone and aboriginal players have been treated, but is something like this just seen as grandstanding by a Liberal politician trying to hold on to his seat? And does it reflect poorly on Team Canada, even if Doan did say it? I can't imagine that this is a new issue amongst players. And I also think that like most professional athletes, NHLers would prefer to handle this things in-house, rather than have law-makers and politicians step in.
I hope that made sense.
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