Thomas Partey’s £45m move to Arsenal remains the story of the moment, with the Ghanaian’s deadline day transfer continuing to dominate the headlines.
All over the world, sports websites and newspapers are filling their pages with content on Partey; where he’ll fit in at Arsenal and how he is going to improve the team.
Some writers dug a little deeper, focusing on Partey’s “grass to grace” story, highlighting his humble beginnings at Tema Youth to his Champions League dominance for Atletico Madrid and subsequent move to the Premier League.
A couple of papers, however, seem to have taken things a bit too far and earned the ire of Ghanaians as a result.
British tabloid The Mirror referenced Partey’s “poverty-stricken childhood” in an article, written by their chief football writer, John Cross, while The Sun described it as a “poverty-stricken existence” in Ghana prior to his move to Europe.
The stories were not received well by Ghanaians and other readers including journalist Nana Aba Anamoah and social commentator Ace Ankomah, who took to social media to express their anger.
A number of people believe it was wrong for the writers to refer to the move to Arsenal as the turning point for the Ghanaian as he had been an important part of Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.
Others found the description of his beginnings as “poverty-stricken” as unfortunate while many raised issues of an apparent bias against players of African descent and the tendency of British media to focus on their struggles.
Here are some of the reactions from Ghanaians.
https://twitter.com/thenanaaba/status/1313570222973087749
Because everyone in Ghana lives a “poverty-stricken existence,” and everything in Africa is barren wasteland. May they continue to expose their prejudice and intentional ignorance. Sickening.
— Michael-Angello Sarbah (@De_an_ge_lo) October 6, 2020
Because everyone in Ghana lives a “poverty-stricken existence,” and everything in Africa is barren wasteland. May they continue to expose their prejudice and intentional ignorance. Sickening.
— Michael-Angello Sarbah (@De_an_ge_lo) October 6, 2020
As for this @TheSunFootball I wonder the kind of editors they have at the place. Mediocrity at the highest level. They did another chaff article on @ASAMOAH_GYAN3 & it was as appalling as this one.
— yawjunior (@JnrEmml) October 7, 2020
These @TheSunFootball guys they got a bunch of highly systematic racial writers. Anytime they write about a person of colour they try to downgrade the person. They did it to Raheem Sterling; smh..Am not surprised
— Armstrong😎🚀 (@ShadyzGeek) October 6, 2020
But who even reads @TheSun..they are so unprofessional and mean..most of their articles seeks to run down people. Poverty stricken? In England u guys can’t even feed children..it has taken a footballer to feed em by raising awareness..poverty stricken people!!!
— manUTD4lyf (@Paa_kwasi86) October 6, 2020
They’re creating a narrative which the average ignorant reader would extend to his nation. This isn’t a casual description of Partey’s background. It’s a dig at his country. Unless you are familiar with how this paper operates, you wouldn’t know this.
— kob’na (@brunitsky) October 6, 2020
@TheSunFootball your article about Partey is so shameful. I’m disappointed and my beautiful rich country where your country England stole their riches from demands an apology from you #ParteyAfterPartey #ParteyTime
— Kofi Stecks (@stecks_) October 6, 2020
That headline is insulting. You should apologize
— Breakers (@i_am_breakers) October 7, 2020
I despise it when writers/journalists use terms like “Poverty-stricken” narrative to describe the Journeys of particularly African sports people for profits. I see the caption and instantly I’m disgusted.
Hard work and desire is more inspiring than this nonsense.
— David Ify (@DavidIfy8) October 7, 2020
Whats wrong with you people? Nothing wrong with underlying the difficult journey a player from Africa has taken to reach his dreams. Thats why so many African players contribute to their homeland in building schools hospitals housing etc Kante Drogba & Adebayor to name but a few.
— Bob Masters (@13013M4576R5) October 7, 2020
This is pure nonsense,I’m an arsenal fan but signing partey wasnt a privilege for him but for the club,he worked hard for it and has come to help us improve,he is working for whatever the hell he is being paid,take down this disgraceful post.
— Adébáyọ̀. (@MisterBayo_) October 7, 2020
The negative reaction to the post forced The Sun to edit the phrase, opting for “humble” instead.
Partey completed his move from Atletico Madrid on Monday after Arsenal activated his release clause by paying the 45 million pound fee.
The amount makes him Ghana’s most expensive player ever.