In a disgusting turn of events, Lietuvos Rytas president Gedvydas Vainuaskas went on a racist rant where “bad things” happen when there are more than two black players on a team.
Translated by Lithuanian journalist Simonas Baranauskas, Vainauskas said: “It cannot be that way; no more than two black players – I can say that from my 23 years of experience in the business. Teams don’t ever have more than two black players. Because that’s when bad things start to take place.”
Vainauskas’ quotes were in relation to the team’s failure to reach the Lithuanian League finals, the blame for which was put to some American players of the team.
Following Lietuvos Rytas’ loss in the LKL Playoffs, to KK Lietkabelis, they decided to suspend Clevin Hannah, Taylor Brown and Corey Fisher, while Drew Gordon flew back to USA for a stress fracture.
Unbelievable racism: Lietuvos Rytas president Gedvydas Vainauskas attributes club's downfall to increased number of black players on team. pic.twitter.com/8P0wT07gy0
— Simonas Baranauskas (@simasbar) June 15, 2017
Vainauskas’ intolerable comments has caused outrage in the European basketball community with many calling for him to resign. Comparisons were drawn to disgraced former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling who was banned from the NBA for life and fined $2.5million for racist remarks towards Magic Johnson.
Wow can't believe that shit head from Rytas said that…then again I can..smh..so glad I left that situation when I did
— David Logan (@DatDude12) June 15, 2017
Sad situation when race is involved but to put in a context where you saying African American players cause problems is unfair.
— Darius Johnson-Odom (@KingMe_DJ1) June 15, 2017
Im assuming Mr. Vainauskus' #blackplayertheory wouldn't apply to Fener in the EL this year..nor would it apply to Maccabi in 2014, Cska 2016
— Keith (@keith_langford) June 15, 2017
Euroleague Basketball statement on Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius President's comments https://t.co/o3hgtp4G7X pic.twitter.com/JN7Vhmwy9Y
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) June 16, 2017
The negativity and racism that surrounds lietuvous Rytas is crazy… The president told media the reason they lost was because black players
— drew gordon (@xtraGORDONary32) June 15, 2017
