Muslim dual international Sonny Bill Williams slams China’s treatment of the Uyghur minority in poignant tweet
- Sonny Bill Williams slammed China’s treatment of the Uyghur minority in a tweet
- ‘It’s a sad time when we choose economic benefits over humanity,’ he wrote
- There has been no backlash to the 34-year-old’s comments at this stage
- Williams made similar comments about the issue as Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil
- China’s state broadcaster didn’t air an Arsenal game in response to Ozil
Rugby star Sonny Bill Williams has tweeted his support of the minority Uyghur ethnic group, mirroring the stance of soccer star Mesut Ozil which drew an angry response from China.
The New Zealand cross-code star, who has just signed a lucrative $10 million contract to play rugby league with the Toronto Wolfpack in the English Super League, is likely to cause outrage with both Chinese officialdom and patriotic citizens for denouncing Beijing’s treatment of the Uyghurs.
In his tweet on Monday, Williams echoed Arsenal playmaker Ozil – who is also a practising Muslim – that more countries should speak out against China’s reported actions of detaining Uyghur people in ‘re-education camps’.
Sonny Bill Williams, pictured with his wife Alana Raffie, slammed China’s treatment of the Uyghur minority in a tweet
Williams echoed the belief of Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil that more countries should speak out against China’s reported actions of detaining Uyghur people in ‘re-education camps’
‘It’s a sad time when we choose economic benefits over humanity #Uyghurs,’ Williams wrote, accompanied by an image illustrating oppression against the Muslim minority group.
Williams’ tweet comes a month after he signed a lucrative deal with Canada-based Super League club, the Toronto Wolfpack, having ended a lengthy and successful career with the All Blacks.
It remains to be seen if there is a backlash from China against the 34-year-old Kiwi, who hasn’t previously voiced his opinion on such a sensitive international topic.
China’s state broadcaster removed the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City from its programming in response to Ozil’s actions.
The German midfielder was also removed from a Chinese-produced soccer computer game.
Rugby league doesn’t have the same presence in China as soccer or basketball’s NBA, which paid a heavy financial price when an official criticised the Chinese government in October.
Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support of protesters in Hong Kong, sparking Chinese demands that he be fired, which were rejected by the NBA.
Ozil, pictured with his wife Amine, faced backlash and his club’s match against Manchester City was dropped from China’s broadcaster