Cultures Clash at Sabina




It was a clash of cultures at Sabina Park on Saturday as a presumably Irish fan mooned a section of the Jamaican crowd in the West Stand. Jamaica is famously anti-homosexuality and the crowd responded by chanting TOK's "Chi Chi Man" song, in which the lyrics call for the death of homosexuals (chi chi man). The man, pictured above, in the light blue shirt, was removed by police officers, possibly for his own safety.

I'm not sure what started the incident, but a loud "NOOOO!" was heard above me in the stands. Turning to look behind, there was this man about ten rows back, bent over with his rear facing the crowd above (thankfully, not in my direction). He then proceeded to expose his rear to the agitated crowd. The band in the stands started playing "Chi chi man" and the crowd joined in in singing the song. Undoubtedly, the man had no idea that the crowd was actually calling for his death as they "called down fire" on him and branded him a homosexual. One line of the song states "Chi chi man fi dead and dat's a fact".

Seemingly energised by the crowd's reaction the man ran up the stands towards them, only to see every male in the vicinity scatter from him. He then ran back down to his original position and threatened to moon them again before a police officer advised him not to do it, presumably for his own safety. The spectacle continued until a senior officer came and had the man removed to the cheers of the crowd. I must hasten to add that the man was not attacked in any way and the crowd seemingly enjoyed the back and forth more than anything else.

Another Irish fan will have to fork over $100,000 Jamaican dollars (or approximately US$1,500) or face 30 days in a Jamaican jail, as he ran on to the field when bad light and rain stopped play. His friends reportedly said that he thought the match was over and came out to celebrate. Hopefully those friends of his will help him pay that fine, or he will certainly leave World Cup 2007 with some bad memories!


(Cross posted from Rain, No Play)

Labels: 2007 world cup, ireland, world cup