Conor McGregor accused of racism: "Sound like a slave owner" -

UFC superstar Conor McGregor recently faced harsh accusations of racism – From fellow Irishman and music star Sinead O’Connor.

The two have had a good relationship before, but it seems that a tweet from McGregor sparked a tirade. He put out a message on Twitter, encouraging Irish citizens to apply for work in agriculture, prevent migrant workers entering during the ongoing pandemic and keep Ireland under as strict quarantine as possible.

Men and Women, WE ARE HIRING ☘️
I need 1,500 labourers ready to work in our amazing food and agriculture industry.
Please send all C.V’s to @LeoVaradkar and @michaelcreed.
Flying in 1,500 people from the outside world, at this point in time, will break the chains of all command. https://t.co/CQXbtkdFNx

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 15, 2020

While his message didn’t come off as nationalistic in itself, many of the people who commented on his post had nationalistic and xenophobic stances. However it seems that the phrase “break the chains of all command” was what prompted a stern response from O’Connor.

@TheNotoriousMMA Could you please elucidate me as to what exactly you are referring when you say "the chains of command? Which you say will be broken if immigrant workers come to help farmers. What exactly are the chains of command?

— Sinead O'Connor (AKA Shuhada Sadaqat) (@MagdaDavitt77) April 15, 2020

@TheNotoriousMMA Are you on something?

— Sinead O'Connor (AKA Shuhada Sadaqat) (@MagdaDavitt77) April 15, 2020

@TheNotoriousMMA Because you sound like a slave owner more with each passing year. I mean, I love you an all, but like, what the fuck racist shit you been swallowing? Where has the real Conor gone? Because I know your mama didn't raise you to be any kind of racist.

— Sinead O'Connor (AKA Shuhada Sadaqat) (@MagdaDavitt77) April 15, 2020

@TheNotoriousMMA I mean for fuck sake like, the chains of all command ? #WhateverYouBeenReadingYouNeedToPutItDown

— Sinead O'Connor (AKA Shuhada Sadaqat) (@MagdaDavitt77) April 15, 2020

@TheNotoriousMMA If you think you're helping Irish people by stoking xenophobia, you seriously need help yourself. Your remarks to Mayweather. made me ashamed of you to be honest. But I said nothing. But this "chain of all command remark" is dangerous. You ought withdraw it.

— Sinead O'Connor (AKA Shuhada Sadaqat) (@MagdaDavitt77) April 15, 2020

McGregor then chimed in, not long after that O’Connor began with the accusatory tweets. He explained that his original message wasn’t about immigrants per se, but rather keeping Ireland under as strict of a lockdown as possible to prevent the spread of Covid-19. He claimed that thousands of migrant workers coming to Ireland was “too risky” in today’s global pandemic.

I will refuse to listen to “don’t move more than 2k from home” yet air and sea ports, where the virus first entered, remain fully open. With upwards of 1k passengers in and out daily. It is equivalent to pushing and pulling at the same time.
That command cannot be followed. How?

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 15, 2020

On top of this, there are now 1500 labourers being sourced to fly in from abroad to work in our agriculture industry. At this time?
Too dangerous. Too risky.
Also, I’m sure we have 1500 out of work labourers at the ready. On soil.
It simply makes no sense what is being touted.

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 15, 2020

Nothing whatsoever to do with immigrants.
At this time it is crazy to even suggest anything other than essential medical equipment/personnel be flown in. Everything else must be halted.
Even food. We have food here.
We must shut shop Sinead.
For now, not forever.

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 15, 2020

McGregor has previously come under fire and accusations of racism for controversial remarks. For example, his arch rival Khabib Nurmagomedov is a devout muslim. McGregor attacked Nurmagomedov by claiming that his wife “was a towel”, due to the religious clothing she wore in a picture.

O’Connor seemingly cooled off when McGregor defended himself, O’Connor encouraged restraint, and for him to be careful with the sort of language he uses.

You must be very careful what language you're using. It's offensive. Especially in light of your previous racist remarks.

— Sinead O'Connor (AKA Shuhada Sadaqat) (@MagdaDavitt77) April 15, 2020

Man, I just get pissed about people going on about immigrants. Always full of gaslighting excuses. Saying they aren't xenophobic when they clearly are. We ought be grateful any human being fleeing for their life thought we were worth coming to.

— Sinead O'Connor (AKA Shuhada Sadaqat) (@MagdaDavitt77) April 15, 2020

The spat between these two comes off as somewhat odd. O’Connor sang McGregor’s entrance song during his walk in at UFC 189 in 2015. The two seem to have had an aimable relationship since, but it’s clear that he has a tendancy to rub certain people the wrong way at times.