A 25-year old Flemish schoolteacher was fired yesterday from a government school in Brussels because he had passed an internet joke on to a couple of friends. The teacher had received a chain e-mail, showing a “Moroccan monopoly board” with a “go to jail” sign on every square. He found it funny and sent it on to a couple of friends. His mail ended up at the Department of Education, where it was judged to be proof of a “racist” attitude. The next morning the teacher was fired for grievous misconduct, which means that he cannot claim unemployment benefits. The teacher, who worked at a school where 60 per cent of the pupils are of immigrant origin, denies being a racist.

(board game logo obfuscated because of trademark protection)