Steven Cohen’s Apology…

Public Apology released today by Steven Cohen:

First of all I would like to apologize for comments made on World Soccer Daily on Monday April 13th that referred back to an event from April 1989. My apology is directed at any and all people who’s feelings have been hurt and people who have had awful memories and scars re-opened. The apology is heartfelt, genuine and sincere.

There are some I suspect who will look at this apology with a cynical eye and of course you are entitled to see it as you like. We are all football fans, we are all passionate football fans and the events that I am referring to could have happened to any club, in any sport, in any country at any public gathering. This is proved by events in the Ivory Coast recently as well as in South America, Ghana, the old Soviet Union etc…

Let me continue by saying that I came to this country 27 years ago. I believe in this country and what it stands for and most importantly I believe in the freedom of speech, opinion and expression and hold these values and freedoms as being amongst the most treasured of all freedoms. I wore the uniform of the US Army for 4 years between 1982 and 1986 because these freedoms are worth defending and worth fighting for. While there are many people in this world who’s views make my blood boil I would fight to defend their right to say what they believe.

I also recognize that with my position as one of the hosts of a popular radio show I have a responsibility to my audience and perhaps the radio is not the ideal place to express every opinion and every belief I have if the net result is many people being hurt and upset.
By the same token those who use a keyboard and computer to exercise their own freedom of speech, opinion and expression also have a responsibility. They have a responsibility not to sensationalize comments made and twist them for their maximum appeal especially when this is done only for their own commercial benefit and clearly with malice intended.

Finally, to those out there who have hidden behind computers to send correspondence including death threats know that your actions and words hurt this game in this country more than help it. This game has yet to find a solid and guaranteed footing in the American sporting landscape and the baggage that this game at times carries with it from the past is only re-enforced and emphasized by threats of violence and death.

Lastly the subjects being addressed in this statement will never be discussed on this show again unless it is in a open forum or debate where both sides view points can be addressed and considered.

cheers,
Steven

Of course it’s “heartfelt, genuine and sincere”, you’re losing sponsors and the money is the end game. I don’t buy for a second that this is anything more than your typical cookie cutter apology aimed at saving his ass with sponsors. I’m not buying it. We are all passionate fans of the game and it is because of your own words and cynicism that we view your apology with such a “cynical eye”. Unfortunately tragedies have continued to occur where fans have lost their lives at football grounds, but this isn’t about the need for more safety measures and security at football ground, this is about Cohen getting some sick jollies out telling lies about Hillsborough and pissing off Liverpool fans.

By the same token those who use a keyboard and computer to exercise their own freedom of speech, opinion and expression also have a responsibility. They have a responsibility not to sensationalize comments made and twist them for their maximum appeal especially when this is done only for their own commercial benefit and clearly with malice intended.

Cohen still doesn’t believe he’s done anything wrong. He wants desperately to be viewed as the victim of mean and scary internet bloggers who are twisting his words to increase website hits. He’s called us terrorist and compared us to the Taliban, all because we are expressing our opinions about what we feel are repeated disgusting comments and lies.

If this was the first time Cohen had ever made comments about Hillsborough, there might be a feeling of forgive and forget. Problem is, it’s not and if Cohen is allowed to continue to broadcast then it’s only a matter of time before the lies start flowing again. No doubt many will view this apology as enough to end the campaign against Cohen and the call off the boycott of his sponsors. That decision lies in the hand of LFCNY and I can only hope they don’t accept this attempt to reassure and comfort his sponsors under the flimsy guise of apologizing for comments he believes and stands by.