Arabic version: رابطة دبليو إن بي إيه توقف مدربة تورونتو تيمبو مباراة واحدة بسبب تعليق «نوع محمي»
Sandy Brondello, coach of the Toronto Tempo and the Australian Opals, has been suspended for one game by the WNBA after using an inappropriate comment during a game against the Atlanta Dream.
According to ABC News, during the 111-92 loss to the Dream on Saturday AEST the broadcast picked up Brondello addressing officials after Tempo player Nyara Sabally went down with an injury following contact with Angel Reese. Sabally was called for the foul and Brondello could be heard saying Reese was a “protected species.”
The league said: “The WNBA expects all coaches and team personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and respect that are fundamental to our league.” Brondello posted an apology on social media: “Angel, I’m sorry,” writing she had “used a phrase that I shouldn’t have used, and I take full responsibility for that.” She added: “My frustration was with the officiating, but my words unfairly put the focus on you.” Brondello also wrote: “I also understand that my words carried an impact beyond what I intended, particularly for black women in our league, and I’m deeply sorry for that.” She said she had “spent my career competing with, coaching and learning from incredible black women” and that she regretted “that my words caused hurt to a community I respect so deeply.” Brondello concluded: “I have a lot of respect for you as both a player and a person, and I sincerely apologise to you, your teammates, and the Dream organisation for my comment.”
Angel Reese responded on social media after the game with “ARE WE SURPRISED?!” tagging Brondello’s account and adding a clown face emoji. The ABC News report notes the phrase “protected species” is commonly used in Australian sports to express frustration about a lack of calls against a player, but in the US the phrase can be considered derogatory towards black people. Brondello will miss Tuesday’s AEST game against the Las Vegas Aces.
Related sections: Australia/استراليا | South Australia
