Moment Rory McIlroy has American fan thrown out of Ryder Cup for homophobic slur – the-independent.com

Incident Report: Breaches of Conduct and Sustainable Development Goals at the Ryder Cup

An analysis of events at the Ryder Cup, held at Bethpage, New York, reveals significant breaches of conduct that contravene several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While Team Europe secured a 15-13 victory over Team USA, the event was overshadowed by incidents of spectator abuse, particularly targeting golfer Rory McIlroy.

Violation of SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The repeated targeting of Rory McIlroy with homophobic slurs represents a direct violation of SDG 10, which calls for the reduction of inequality and the elimination of discriminatory laws, policies, and practices. The abuse created an environment of exclusion and intolerance, contrary to the goal’s aim of ensuring equal opportunity and empowering all, irrespective of sexual orientation or other status. The subsequent ejection of a spectator, while a necessary enforcement action, highlights the presence of discriminatory attitudes that global sporting events must actively work to eradicate.

Undermining SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The series of abusive incidents undermines the principles of SDG 16, which seeks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. The behavior reported at the event is inconsistent with the goal of reducing all forms of violence and abuse.

• Verbal Abuse: Persistent verbal harassment was directed at Mr. McIlroy throughout the three-day event.
• Discriminatory Language: The use of homophobic slurs constitutes a form of psychological violence.
• Physical Aggression: A beer was thrown at Mr. McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, demonstrating a lack of safety and order.

Mr. McIlroy’s statement that the behavior was “unacceptable and abusive” and that golf should be “held to a higher standard” serves as a call for stronger institutional governance at sporting events to ensure they remain safe and inclusive spaces, in line with the objectives of SDG 16.

Implications for SDG 5 and SDG 3

The events also have direct implications for other key development goals, specifically concerning gender equality and overall well-being.

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality: The act of throwing a beverage at Erica Stoll is an act of aggression that compromises the safety and inclusion of women in public sporting arenas. This action runs counter to the core mission of SDG 5, which is to end all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: Creating a hostile and abusive environment for athletes and their families directly threatens their mental health and psychological well-being, a primary focus of SDG 3. Such incidents contribute to stress and detract from the positive health benefits associated with sport.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article highlights issues of abuse, discrimination, and violence at a public sporting event, which directly connect to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focused on equality, peace, and justice.

   • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

     This goal is relevant because the article describes a fan targeting a player with a “homophobic slur.” This is an act of discrimination and verbal abuse aimed at creating an unequal and hostile environment based on perceived sexual orientation, which SDG 10 seeks to eliminate.

   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

     This goal is addressed through the themes of abuse and violence. The golfer described the crowd’s behavior as “unacceptable and abusive.” The act of throwing a beer is a form of physical assault. SDG 16 aims to significantly reduce all forms of violence. The ejection of the fan represents an institutional response to enforce rules and maintain peace and order.

   • SDG 5: Gender Equality

     The incident where a “beer being thrown over his wife, Erica Stoll” makes SDG 5 relevant. This is an act of violence against a woman in a public space, which Target 5.2 specifically aims to eliminate.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   The article’s content points to several specific targets within the identified SDGs.

   • Targets under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

     • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. The homophobic slur is a direct attempt to socially exclude and demean an individual based on “other status” (perceived sexual orientation).
     • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices. The abusive behavior undermines the principle of ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all participants and spectators, which is a form of ensuring equal opportunity to enjoy public events without fear of harassment.

   • Targets under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

     • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The “abusive” behavior, the “homophobic slur” (psychological violence), and the act of a “beer being thrown” (physical violence/assault) are all forms of violence that this target aims to reduce.

   • Targets under SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

     • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. The specific mention of Rory McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, having a beer thrown on her is a clear example of violence against a woman in a public sphere.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article does not explicitly mention official SDG indicators, but it implies several ways progress could be measured.

   • Implied Indicators for SDG 10

     The report of a “homophobic slur” implies an indicator such as the number of reported incidents of discrimination or harassment in public spaces (including sporting events) based on sexual orientation. The fact that the fan was “ejected” implies a measure of accountability, suggesting an indicator like the proportion of reported incidents of discrimination that result in enforcement action.

   • Implied Indicators for SDG 16

     The description of “unacceptable and abusive” behavior and a “beer being thrown” points to an indicator like the number of reported incidents of physical and verbal assault at public gatherings. Progress would be measured by a reduction in these incidents.

   • Implied Indicators for SDG 5

     The specific incident involving Erica Stoll implies an indicator related to Target 5.2, such as the number of reported incidents of violence against women in public venues. A decrease in such reports would signify progress.

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Summary

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Implied from the article)
   SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities	10.2: Promote social inclusion of all. 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and eliminate discriminatory practices.	– Number of reported incidents of discrimination (e.g., “homophobic slur”) at public events. – Proportion of reported incidents of discrimination that result in enforcement action (e.g., fan “ejected”).
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence.	– Number of reported incidents of physical and verbal assault (e.g., “abusive” behavior, “beer being thrown”) at public gatherings.
   SDG 5: Gender Equality	5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.	– Number of reported incidents of violence against women in public spaces (e.g., “beer being thrown over his wife”).

Source: the-independent.com