to not accept this apology from Conor Benn?

[happyfootmum]

Sportsman Conor Benn was recently filmed mocking another boxer for having talipes or club foot as it is commonly known. He was shown to google the condition and then laugh at the photo shown which is obviously somebody's poor baby. He's since offered a measly apology which I don't feel is sincere at all. Read the story here

I have a son with the condition and it has been a tough journey so far and we are only at the start! AIBU to want Reebok to veto him as a brand ambassador and show that he's not a suitable role model? Please sign this petition to not allow him to get away from this without genuine remorse

[stumpedifiknow]

Signed

[happyfootmum]

I'm all for using humour to get through difficult times and I hope that your operation went well and recovery is quick. Sorry to hear that you're still going through treatment in your 30's, that must be tough.

I don't think me or many of the other parents/people who have been affected by club foot are overreacting. The point of the petition is to stop Reebok using him as a brand ambassador. If someone is not remorseful then no a petition will not change that, but losing some sponsorship money might make him think twice in the future before stooping so low. It might also show young people that you're accountable for your actions on social media!

Anyway, it seems to have worked to some extent as he's just issued a statement which I'm still digesting but already a lot of the comments from his followers are vile. Thanks for the support!

[kungfupannda]

Not remotely acceptable. I had a very severe club foot, leading to multiple surgeries. As an adult I'm pretty much fine - a few recurring problems and a slightly misshapen foot - but it wasn't much fun at the time.

He's laughing at a child with a disability. Yes, it's a disability that may be entirely fixable, but that child will still have to go through treatment and quite possibly surgery.

What a complete twat.

[TiredMumToTwo]

Signed x

[princesspuds]

Signed x

[AnyFucker]

He is in a position of responsibility with influence over young minds. Would it be OK if he were mocking someone's race, skin colour or religion ?

No.

He gets to stfu and be a decent role model or he loses the sponsorship. It should be as simple as that. Disability is not a soft target, or it shouldn't be.

[BertrandRussell]

He is being rewarded. By a sponsorship deal.

[WaitroseCoffeeCostaCup]

So he's an idiot. So? Ignore him. I've never heard of him to be honest. I treat silly adult behaviour the same way I treat silly behaviour from children: I don't reward it. Ignore.

[Somerville]

I'm all for a bit of black humour to help deal with one's own shit. But that's entirely different to mocking someones baby.

[WaitroseCoffeeCostaCup]

I'm not a troll, I just think there are more important things to protest about than this.

[GoNorthatthefirstleft]

What do you think petition will do ? Will it make him into a nice man ? He's clearly shown what an arse he is who clearly craves any attention good bad or indifferent things like this give him more airtime people like that are better ignored just like trolls on here. He'll get the attention he wants and I'm sure he'll be back with some other video.

[AnyFucker]

Laughing at yourself is entirely different to using some real baby's club feet to take the piss out of an opponent

Gamesmanship I can get, both competitors are grown ups after all and I am sure the other guy can give as good as he gets

But using the baby's photograph is fucking low

[BertrandRussell]

He allowed himself to be filmed laughing at a picture of a child with very obvious disabilities. And using deeply offensive language about. Not sure how you could over react to that.............

[WaitroseCoffeeCostaCup]

Sorry, WENT well!

[WaitroseCoffeeCostaCup]

Sometimes humour is the only way! I hope your operation goes well.

[GoNorthatthefirstleft]

Sorry painkillers have messed with my ability to be coherent 😫

[GoNorthatthefirstleft]

He's a horrible man but what do you think a petition will do i was born with a sever club foot in my late thirties still having ongoing surgery my latest one a few days ago with the possibility of amputation if this does not work. My son was also born with it to sometimes ok just have to nit become the mass offended . Waitrose me and my son often joke about our feet together it's how we cope .

[WaitroseCoffeeCostaCup]

I was born with this and so were 2 of my 3 children. My Husband often teases me about my gammy foot. I am very pc but I think you're over reacting, sorry.

[TwitterQueen1]

I would sign except for the fact that I have to provide my email and my address, which I am not prepared to do.

[Marlboroandmalbec34]

Signed. Xx

[maras2]

Signed.
What a nasty man.

[Tomiades]

Signed and shared! If no good apology is given, or he tries to weasel out of it, then this behaviour is normalised to his diehard fans, who would defend him no matter what. If, on the other hand, enough people embarrass him into what could pass for a real apology, then his followers may receive a bit of education about what it means to be a good human...

[happyfootmum]

That's true Milk but my thinking is that if he's not embarrassed personally, then I want him to be embarrassed professionally. Thanks for your support!

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

Signed. That's Horrible and disablist.
I'm sure Reebok and DWsports on line. Will get rid of him, after all. They wont want to give themselves a bad name will they.
Love to your little boy. Glad his phsyio is going well.

[MilkTwoSugarsThanks]

You can't demand genuine remorse and you can't demand a genuine apology if it's not there.

I'd push for Reebok to just drop him.

Good luck OP.