Racist incident at Quebec semi-pro hockey game 'unacceptable,' Premier Franois Legault says

Quebec Premier Franois Legault is condemning a racist incidentthat occurred ata semi-professional hockey game in Saint-Jrme, Que.

Jonathan Diaby, a player for the Marquis de Jonquire, a team in theLigueNord-Amricaine de Hockey,said he and his family members were called the N-word and compared to baboons during a game on Saturday.

Instead of ejecting those making racist taunts, Diaby said security guards asked his parents and girlfriend to change seats so people "could have a quiet game."

On Wednesday, Legault said the game should have been stoppedso those responsiblecould be ejected from the arena.

"It makes no sense that in 2019 people in the bleachers would insulta hockey player because he's black," Legault told reporters at the National Assembly Wednesday.

"I would say to the league, and I would say toother spectators, they have the obligation to say to people who make such comments that it's unacceptable."

The league's commissioner, Jean-Franois Laplante, called Diaby to apologize and posted a video apology to the league's Facebook page on Sunday.

Laplante said racism has no place in society, and he told fans to be respectful.

"Intolerance of difference is based in ignorance. To combat this problem, we must speak out," he said.

The video also includes messages from a coach and other players from the league, offering Diaby and his family their support.

Criminal charges?

Liberal MNA EnricoCiccone, a former NHL player, told CBC News on Wednesday he was "disgusted"by the incident.

"Everybody has the right to to feel safe.Everybody has the right to have some dignity," Ciccone said.

Cicconesaid he was particularly struck by the fact that nobody who witnessed the event took action.

"What I feel was a shame the most was the people that were around. It's our responsibility to protect anybody that is beside us in society, and nobody really did anything," said Ciccone.

"That's what I felt sad about."

Ciccone said the people responsible should face criminal charges.

Police in Saint-Jrme said Wednesday they're not investigating because they haven't received a formal complaint.

Cicconealso suggested professional and semi-professional leagues in Quebec emulate European soccer leagues. There, when repeatedracistincidents occur in the stands, fans are banned and teamsare forced to play inempty stadiums.

Isabelle Charest, the Coalition Avenir Qubec government's sports minister and a former Olympian, said the government has no legal authority over professional leagues.

But Charest said the government could play a leadership rule by working with leagues to encourage tolerance and openness.

The Montreal Canadiensalso condemned the incident in a series of tweets.