Dealing with racism
Credit:
I asked the question last year, does Racism still exist within the Airtricity League of
Ireland? I stated that in my whole nine years of playing football here in the league only once before as
a young 19 year-old playing with Bray Wanderers had I been on the end of a racial slur from a fellow player.
I recalled that at the time, despite being shocked and horrified after the game, I didn’t want to cause a huge uproar about it as I was still very young and un-established in the league. To be honest, I don’t think I could have dealt with the media attention that such an accusation might create as I was so young and inexperienced and I didn’t want my football to be affected at a time where I was just trying to establish myself in the league.
In that same article, I also said that during my time playing here I have received a few comments from opposition fans regarding my background but stated and I quote myself here, “I have to be honest though, fortunately, I haven’t received too many racist remarks in my time playing League of Ireland football.”
It remains true. Fortunately, I haven’t received many racist remarks during my nine year-old career playing in Ireland. I love the league, I love playing football here and I have been fortunate enough to win some silverware and accolades along the way.
However, in saying that, I have received some racial remarks before and what happened four weeks ago was extremely disappointing and saddening. Due to the nature of the accusations and the attention it received at the time I felt it was best to not speak about it until the FAI had dealt with it. Most of you I am sure would have been made aware of the accusations in question and the resulting punishments.
The first accusation was put forward against St Pats in a league game on June 10 in Richmond Park. The accusation was put through to the FAI by people present at the game but I was only made aware of comments made on the Saturday as I myself did not hear any racial comments during the game in question.
I have to say, I was delighted with the way St Pats dealt with the issue. Straight away they put their hands up and said that they would be banning anyone that made racial comments during the game. As it was only one or two fans that was at fault, they could have just ignored the issue but they didn’t and I even got an apology from them which was refreshing.
It was great because St Pats are, as I have said numerous times before, a club that is close to my heart having grown up not that far from Inchicore and I have many friends that support them and go to their games weekly.
They are also the team I supported as a young kid ever since I did a coaching class with Niall Quinn in Richmond Park and they have had some smashing players with various backgrounds playing for them before such as two of my favourite ex -league players in Paul Osam and Charles Livingstone Mbabazi.
The second accusation was made against Shamrock Rovers; a club based 10 minutes away from where I live. The incident in question occurred in our league game in the Tallaght Stadium on June 13th. Before I continue, let me say this, Shamrock Rovers are a great club with a great history and they are a club whom I have the utmost respect for. Again I have a couple of friends who support them and I also am very good friends with one or two of their players.
However, during that game, unfortunately, I had no choice but to report what I had heard. As I said, years ago, as a young 19 year old teenager, I was not able to report such an accusation but I was left with no choice after that game. Enough is enough and as an experienced player within the league, I had to stand up against such racism.
It was not so about me as I am big and bold enough to handle such comments but what about the next generation of players to come through whom, god forbid, has a mixed racial background.
Some people may think I should have let it slide giving the fact that it is only a very small number of people making such comments but I disagree, we have to cut it out altogether, not just 99% of it.
I am not going to say exactly what was said but trust me, what I accused the player in question of was racist. It was meant in a racially offensive manner. I want to reiterate that, my accusation was one of racism, NOT offensive behaviour. I understand it was my word against his which made it difficult for the disciplinary board to make such a pivotal judgement.
The other night on MNS I saw the lads discussing the three match suspension the player got for “offensive behaviour”. I agreed with their thoughts on offensive behaviour and banning someone would or could possibly open up a can of worms. In every game of football all around the world, players, fans and referees are called all sorts. For example, my sister was getting all kinds of abuse from a section of fans recently but sometimes, that is part and parcel of the game. But I never accused someone of strictly offensive behaviour; I accused a fellow player of racial behaviour, a racist comment.
I want to truly thank every at Derry City, especially Sean Barrett and Stephen Kenny for their full support and backing. I also want to thank all the supporters and people who supported me and backed me for standing up against racism.
I want to hopefully now put this to bed and not discuss it any further. What’s done is done, I would have loved an apology from anyone involved at Shamrock Rovers rather than a statement welcoming the FAI’s decision to ban the player under a different rule, but perhaps that is asking for too much.
It is time to move on with matters on the pitch and concentrate on my football. Last Friday night’s result over last year’s champions certainly helped.
I recalled that at the time, despite being shocked and horrified after the game, I didn’t want to cause a huge uproar about it as I was still very young and un-established in the league. To be honest, I don’t think I could have dealt with the media attention that such an accusation might create as I was so young and inexperienced and I didn’t want my football to be affected at a time where I was just trying to establish myself in the league.
In that same article, I also said that during my time playing here I have received a few comments from opposition fans regarding my background but stated and I quote myself here, “I have to be honest though, fortunately, I haven’t received too many racist remarks in my time playing League of Ireland football.”
It remains true. Fortunately, I haven’t received many racist remarks during my nine year-old career playing in Ireland. I love the league, I love playing football here and I have been fortunate enough to win some silverware and accolades along the way.
However, in saying that, I have received some racial remarks before and what happened four weeks ago was extremely disappointing and saddening. Due to the nature of the accusations and the attention it received at the time I felt it was best to not speak about it until the FAI had dealt with it. Most of you I am sure would have been made aware of the accusations in question and the resulting punishments.
The first accusation was put forward against St Pats in a league game on June 10 in Richmond Park. The accusation was put through to the FAI by people present at the game but I was only made aware of comments made on the Saturday as I myself did not hear any racial comments during the game in question.
I have to say, I was delighted with the way St Pats dealt with the issue. Straight away they put their hands up and said that they would be banning anyone that made racial comments during the game. As it was only one or two fans that was at fault, they could have just ignored the issue but they didn’t and I even got an apology from them which was refreshing.
It was great because St Pats are, as I have said numerous times before, a club that is close to my heart having grown up not that far from Inchicore and I have many friends that support them and go to their games weekly.
They are also the team I supported as a young kid ever since I did a coaching class with Niall Quinn in Richmond Park and they have had some smashing players with various backgrounds playing for them before such as two of my favourite ex -league players in Paul Osam and Charles Livingstone Mbabazi.
The second accusation was made against Shamrock Rovers; a club based 10 minutes away from where I live. The incident in question occurred in our league game in the Tallaght Stadium on June 13th. Before I continue, let me say this, Shamrock Rovers are a great club with a great history and they are a club whom I have the utmost respect for. Again I have a couple of friends who support them and I also am very good friends with one or two of their players.
However, during that game, unfortunately, I had no choice but to report what I had heard. As I said, years ago, as a young 19 year old teenager, I was not able to report such an accusation but I was left with no choice after that game. Enough is enough and as an experienced player within the league, I had to stand up against such racism.
It was not so about me as I am big and bold enough to handle such comments but what about the next generation of players to come through whom, god forbid, has a mixed racial background.
Some people may think I should have let it slide giving the fact that it is only a very small number of people making such comments but I disagree, we have to cut it out altogether, not just 99% of it.
I am not going to say exactly what was said but trust me, what I accused the player in question of was racist. It was meant in a racially offensive manner. I want to reiterate that, my accusation was one of racism, NOT offensive behaviour. I understand it was my word against his which made it difficult for the disciplinary board to make such a pivotal judgement.
The other night on MNS I saw the lads discussing the three match suspension the player got for “offensive behaviour”. I agreed with their thoughts on offensive behaviour and banning someone would or could possibly open up a can of worms. In every game of football all around the world, players, fans and referees are called all sorts. For example, my sister was getting all kinds of abuse from a section of fans recently but sometimes, that is part and parcel of the game. But I never accused someone of strictly offensive behaviour; I accused a fellow player of racial behaviour, a racist comment.
I want to truly thank every at Derry City, especially Sean Barrett and Stephen Kenny for their full support and backing. I also want to thank all the supporters and people who supported me and backed me for standing up against racism.
I want to hopefully now put this to bed and not discuss it any further. What’s done is done, I would have loved an apology from anyone involved at Shamrock Rovers rather than a statement welcoming the FAI’s decision to ban the player under a different rule, but perhaps that is asking for too much.
It is time to move on with matters on the pitch and concentrate on my football. Last Friday night’s result over last year’s champions certainly helped.
