In July 2020, Ricardo dos Santos, a Portuguese and Benfica athlete who has lived in England for several years with fellow sprinter Bianca Williams, accused the London Metropolitan Police of racism after an episode that even led to a lawsuit against the authorities. . “We stopped when we felt safe to do so, we were in the middle of the road and cars were coming from the opposite direction. It didn’t take me more than 20 seconds to stop. When they got close to me, they were ready to attack. They took the bat, took my cell phone and threw me against the wall. I yelled that I was in pain and was told that I smelled like cannabis. I explained to them that I was a professional athlete, that they could test me, ”he said at the time, in a case that happened with his wife and his little son in the car.
[Ouça aqui as declarações de Ricardo dos Santos à Rádio Observador em julho de 2020]
Benfica athlete accuses the British police of racism. “I have been stopped more than 15 times”
“I witnessed an incident that illustrates just how out of control London Police have become. It was shocking and the police stayed on the scene for an hour. The couple was innocent.” The singer of The Pretenders, Chrissie Hynde, commented then, after the former British Olympic and world champion and now coach, Linford Christie, has also criticized the police action. At first, the actions were defended, but then Cressida Dick, the London police commissioner, apologized… forgetting about Ricardo dos Santos. “My agent apologized to Ms. Williams for the distress she clearly caused and I say the same. ”, she said, admitting “to empathize with someone whose car is stopped, has a child in the back seat and ends up discovering that he is not in possession of illegal substances”.
Disciplinary action for British police officers who arrested athlete Ricardo dos Santos
Now, just over two years later, the 400-meter athlete who will participate in the European Championships that starts today in Munich has once again realized an episode of discrimination.
“I’m not surprised he went through this again. while she was driving yesterday [madrugada de domingo] On the way home, I was stopped by seven armed police officers who thought I was using my cell phone while driving. At their request, I stopped [o carro] when it was safe. After stopping, two officers ran to either side of the car. One of them hit the window with his clenched fist and tried to open the car door. Since he was frustrated and didn’t know how to use a Tesla, he took out the baton and was ready to break the glass. It bothers me that, two years later, nothing has changed. Why did it take seven cops when he was alone? With two or three at most it was enough, ”denounced the 27-year-old through his social networks, having an immediate response in a statement.
I’m not surprised he had to go through this again. While driving home last night 7 armed @metpoliceuk The officers pulled me over because they thought I was talking on the phone while driving. At his request, I stopped when it was safe to do so. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/Px2KSJZQi8
— Ricardo Dos Santos (@RDSS400) August 14, 2022
Upset that 2 years later nothing has changed but they still manage to outmaneuver the police…why should 7 armed officers be present when he was alone? 2 or 3 at most would have been enough. 3/3 pic.twitter.com/fol46XxKPR
— Ricardo Dos Santos (@RDSS400) August 14, 2022
“Around 4 a.m. on Sunday, August 14, armed officers were on patrol in a police vehicle. They saw a car on the A40 Westway and were concerned that the driver might be using your cell phone while driving. The agents gave the order to stop the vehicle, which was not carried out, and requested reinforcements. The driver pulled over five minutes later, at which point the officers explained why they had asked to stop. After this conversation, the vehicle was allowed to continue on its way. In the meantime, we are contacting the owner through Twitter so that he can tell us about the matter if necessary, “defended the London Police, who also mentioned that he was aware of the videos that were soon circulating on social networks in relation to with the episode with Ricardo dos Santos.
I stopped when it was safe to do so… but keep going! https://t.co/068cGlAG7i
— Ricardo Dos Santos (@RDSS400) August 14, 2022
“Yes, I only showed a part, because the rest is with my lawyer. Not to mention the reason why it took a little longer to stop,” the Portuguese athlete replied to the authorities on Twitter.
Hmm yes, just showing a part because the rest will be with my lawyer.
Also, no mention of why it took me a little longer to stop???????? https://t.co/Eyo6Wl1cUp
— Ricardo Dos Santos (@RDSS400) August 14, 2022
Source: Observadora
