Football boss and ex-Albion star apologies after comparing team's 7-0 defeat to 'Holocaust'
A football boss and ex-West Bromwich Albion star has apologised 'wholeheartedly' after comparing his team's 7-0 defeat to a 'Holocaust.' Rushall Olympic FC manager Richard Sneekes had given his thoughts about the heavy loss in a post-match interview on Saturday, January 18.
The former midfielder said that after his team conceded the second goal against Spennymoor Town it was "just a Holocaust" at The Brewery Field, County Durham, in National League North match.
The interview, which had been posted by the Walsall club on YouTube, was later removed. Rushall Olympic said that Sneekes, 56, meant no offence by the comment, but recognised it was a poor analogy and apologised to anyone who was upset or offended by it. The Dutch-born boss said his grandad was in a concentration camp - where millions of Jews were killed by German Nazis - and that both of his parents were born at the height of the War, so he "knows what it means."
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The manager had given his reaction during a post match interview. He said: "First half I thought we were excellent, didn't really understand how we could be 1-0 down. We had some great opportunities, played some really good football. Reteriated at half time that I thought we were getting a little bit over confident at times where we were a little bit too open.
"Reteriated as well that they're playing with inverted wingers, which means they will come onto their strong foot and come inside. Literally took two minutes (into the second half), I think that (Corey) McKeown, who was a threat all afternoon, just cut inside and guided it into the corner, and from then on in it was just a Holocaust.
"You know what I mean? Just complete indiscipline. We we all over the shop. We kept dropping. People going out of their holes. It was an eye-opener."
In a statement issued to BirminghamLive, the football club said: "Rushall Olympic FC and manager, Richard Sneekes, would like to apologise whole-heartedly for a phrase used during his post-match interview following Saturday’s 7-0 defeat at Spennymoor Town.
"Amidst an otherwise very measured and honest assessment of the performance straight after the final whistle, the manager used the phase; ‘like a Holocaust.’
"No offence was meant, but the manager recognises that this was a poor analogy and would like to apologise to anyone who was upset or offended by it. I can only apologise for my choice of words,” he said. “No offence or harm was intended whatsoever.
“World War II is engrained in the history of my country; my grandad was in a concentration camp and both of my parents were born at the height of the War, so I know what it means.
“It was a bad choice of phrase linking to a time in history which was beyond terror and I would like to reiterate my sincerest of apologies. I will consider my choice of words more carefully in the future.”
The statement added: "As club we received no direct complaints to the after-match comment. The only feedback we received, and not just from Rushall supporters, was how well and constructively the manager spoke so soon after a heavy defeat for his side. Someone has deemed it necessary to raise this complaint to the local press and hence our statement on this matter. The club will be making no further comment."