Leroy Fer has spoken out after racist remarks were made on a selfie taken with fellow Netherlands internationals.
- By Michael Bell
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The midfielder posted the picture (present at the bottom of this article) on Friday, which was then subjected to a number of sick racist remarks from followers of the QPR midfielder.
Asked about the comments by De Telegraaf Fer admitted he was deeply hurt by the comments, which he could not believe would be made by Dutch people in this day and age.
When asked how he was made aware of the comments Fer added, “That was in Huis ter Duin, shortly after I posted the photo. A teammate came to me and said he was alerted by a friend on the responses. I did not know what I saw. I was shocked, and could not imagine that this occurs in the Netherlands in 2014. ”
On the reaction of his family he added, “They hit me deeply and my family and friends are stunned. I’m sad and disappointed at the same time. I received dozens of messages from family members. They asked me to stay calm and said we would talk about it when I got home.”
On what comment was the worst, “Actually, they all got me. But the chains was the worst point. That people get it into their heads to make a link to slavery … but also to ‘FC Monkey” or “Negro Petes’ I am still very angry.”
Fer commented on previous racist remarks earlier in his career, “As a little boy I had jokes hurled at my head. Then I told my father and mother, who then said:..” Leroy, they’re just jealous’ The older you get, the more often it happens, unfortunately. ”
“As a footballer you get especially in the former Eastern Bloc countries from the stands to do with monkey noises. But after what’s happened now I feel worse, I feel like people want to say.. You do not belong in the Dutch national team … And that’s probably the fans who cheered the loudest when I scored at the World Cup against Chile.”
Fer will not press charges against the offenders, but stated “I assume that the perpetrators will be prosecuted.”
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