Welcome to 3AW. Skip directly to: Search Box, Section Navigation, Content.

3AW - Fairfax Radio Network

Thursday June 20, 2013

What we're talking about

Racist picks a fight with a cage fighting champion

Posted by: Nick McCallum | 14 December, 2012 - 4:55 PM
Cage fighting champion Gustavo Falciroli abused for speaking Portuguese on a Melbourne train. (Photo: Supplied)

When did it become so provocative, such a crime, to speak in a foreign language in public in Melbourne?

Brazilian-born Aussie Gustavo Falciroli was on the South Morang train when he spoke to a friend in Portuguese. A man came up to him, told him ‘It was not his country’ and then threatened to cut and rape him, his wife and two children.

All that, because this naturalised Aussie spoken in a public place in a foreign language – that’s it.

Image

Gustavo Falciroli after he became an Australian citizen in August this year. (Photo: Facebook)>

Mr Falciroli did not create a scene or an incident. He wisely got off the train, then alerted Police and the man was later apprehended.

The irony in all this, this boofhead racist, unbeknownst to him, had actually abused a man who could have made him pay for being such a drop kick.

You see, Gustavo is a cage fighting champion and a former Jiu Jitsu world champion.

The racist had no idea who he had tackled, he just heard a foreign language and engaged his foul mouth – and that’s the point.

This is the second time in a month we've heard that a person talking in a foreign language has been abused on public transport. Remember the French woman being lambasted for signing a song on a bus – that video went viral.

I don’t understand why people speaking a foreign language are being targeted. When I grew up, it was commonplace to hear Greeks and Italians talking in their own language in shops, on trains, even at the footy. No one cared; it added to the colour of our city. Still does.

For his part, Gustavo Falciroli walked away from this confrontation on the train. He showed grace, dignity and decency; Great Australian qualities.

I would hope he’s proven he’s a far greater Aussie than the boofhead who abused him.

LISTEN: Gustavo Falciroli with Nick McCallum:

Having problems listening? Upgrade your media player for Internet Explorer, Google Chrome or Firefox.

Share

Blog comments Your Say

  • Dandy Dave is an Idiot

    Mark Wednesday 19 December, 2012 - 11:53 AM

  • Grace , dignity and decency; great Australian qualities.
    Since when? What does that mean? How about Thailand? How about Canada? How about so many countries all around the planet? Every time bad behaviour of some sort hits the news, idiots comment about the behaviour not being Australian. The notion is jingoistically racist. Idiots.

    Eddy Tuesday 18 December, 2012 - 7:30 AM

  • Your a good man Gustavo!
    Your actions prove that you are a REAL MAN by ignoring this pathetic coward.
    ( Although I would have loved to have seen his face if you had taken it further)

    Cam Monday 17 December, 2012 - 8:05 PM

  • speak english is right. I agree with you. Since when did Australia become a multi-lingual country? What's the national language of Australia - it's english isn't it?. Perhaps if media like 3AW stuck up for their country more often Australia wouldn't be in the mess it is today.

    dandy dave Monday 17 December, 2012 - 3:20 PM

  • who cares what he was saying to his mate, it was none of that guys business to approach him. Good on you Gustavo

    tina Monday 17 December, 2012 - 1:33 PM

  • Well done Gustavo we need people like you in Australia im glad you became a Australian citizen
    feel free to travel on the Pakenham line any time

    dennis frazer Monday 17 December, 2012 - 8:53 AM

Post a comment * Mandatory fields