Sports

LeBron James hits back at Ibrahimovic’s criticism over political activism

Sports Desk, Feb 27 (efe-epa).- LeBron James has defended the use of his platform to tackle racial and social injustice, hitting back at soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimovic who recently said in an interview that sports stars like the four-time NBA champion should avoid politics.

Speaking to Discovery +, the Sweden and AC Milan striker said: “(LeBron) is phenomenal at what he’s doing, but I don’t like when people have some kind of status, they go and do politics at the same time,” Ibrahimovic said.

“Do what you’re good at. Do the category you do. I play football because I’m the best at playing football. I don’t do politics. If I would be a political politician, I would do politics,” he added.

Responding to the criticism after the LA Lakers’ 102-93 win over Portland Trail Blazers Friday night, James said he would continue using his platform to push social justice and support the black community in the United States.

“At the end of the day, I would never shut up about things that are wrong. I preach about my people and I preach about inequality, social injustice, racism, systematic voter suppression, things that go on in our community because I was part of my community at one point and seeing things that are going on.

“I know what’s going on still because I have a group of 300-plus kids at my school that are going through the same thing and they need a voice,” he added.

James criticized Ibrahimovic for “hypocrisy,” recalling the time a soccer player, who has Bosnian heritage, denounced the racism he was subjected to in Sweden.

“It’s funny he would say that because I believe in 2018 he was the same guy who said, when he was back in Sweden, talking about the same things, because his last name wasn’t a certain last name,” James added. EFE-EPA

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