'Racial abuse has no place in the Highland League' is the message delivered after accusations of Huntly players being subjected to racist comments during matches at Nairn County and Keith
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THE Highland League say racism in football is "unacceptable" after claims that two Huntly players were racially abused during recent matches at Nairn County and Keith.
Huntly reacted angrily to an incident during Saturday's 0-0 draw at Keith's Kynoch Park when a fan is alleged to have made a racist remark about a Huntly player, forcing play to be stopped for a short period of time.
The Christie Park club described the incident as "disgusting" and "abhorrent" and sent an official complaint to Keith, who have since responded by identifying the supporter and issuing the individual with a lifetime ban from their matches.
Nairn County have also launched an investigation in an effort to identify one of their supporters accused of directing a similar racist comment at a Huntly player during last Wednesday's match.
Huntly plan to promote the 'Give Racism the Red Card' message at their next fixture against Deveronvale on Wednesday night.
And the Highland League issued a statement encouraging fans to report any incidents of racism at football matches.
"'The Highland League has always prided itself on its inclusiveness, its role in the communities in which it exists and its acceptance of diversity," read the statement.
"However, recent weeks have seen a worrying trend with instances of racial abuse occurring at SHFL matches.
"This is completely unacceptable and has no place in the Highland League or, indeed, anywhere.
"The message is quite simple to those who use such language – you are not welcome at Highland League matches, or matches anywhere, so stay away as you have no place in a modern society.
"To all Highland League supporters – be aware of this issue and point out anyone who resorts to racist language.
"Remember – for bad things to survive, all that’s needed is that good people do nothing."
"It’s time for the good people to stand up and be counted."
Huntly chairman Gordon Carter said Saturday's match at Keith was stopped after the home club did not take immediate action on the fan accused of abusing one of their players.
He said on the club's website: "We are extremely disappointed to confirm that during our match away at Keith yesterday one of our players was subjected to racial abuse from a Keith supporter in the stand.
"Both our Head of Youth Development (Brian Wright) and I heard what was shouted. I immediately brought this to the attention of the Keith Chairman an he assured me he was going to take the appropriate action for the overt racist abuse.
"This did not happen.
"Subsequently the game was stopped to bring this incident to the attention of the referee and inform him of what had been shouted. We asked that the racial abuse be included in his match report."
Carter added that Huntly's club secretary sent an official complaint by email to Keith regarding the racial abuse.
"Given the disgusting racial comment directed at our player we felt it was appropriate to inform Police Scotland.
"Our club has a duty to protect all of our employees from all types of discrimination
"We have an absolute zero tolerance to all forms of such abuse
"We apologise wholeheartedly to the players who have been targeted in two separate incidents this week of sickening abuse. We extend the same such apology to the members of the Keith playing staff who would also have been affected by yesterday's events
"Racial abuse is abhorrent and such episodes highlight the responsibility we collectively have to work harder to eradicate such abuse and punish the perpetrators.
"Police Scotland have already confirmed that they have acted on the information given to them by our club and have initiated proceedings against the individual responsible."
Manager Hale spoke about the incident at last Wednesday's match at Nairn.
"We strongly condemn all forms of discrimination and are disgusted that abuse of such nature has been directed at a member of our playing staff," he said.
"We cannot be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in society let alone a football match.
"We will do all we can to support the player affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for those responsible.
"Finally we will provide ongoing support to our colleagues at Nairn County FC, who have dealt with this matter with the utmost professionalism, in respect of their investigation and review footage of the match in an attempt to bring justice to the matter and have the people responsible for such a disgusting act punished appropriately."
Keith secretary Fiona Simpson said the Kynoch Park club will give their full support to police if any criminal action is taken regarding Saturday's incident.
And the club confirmed over the weekend that the fan accused of making a racial comment at the match had been identified and banned for life.
"No action could be taken at the time of the incident as a thorough investigation needed to be undertaken so that the correct person was identified," the club said in a statement.
"Keith FC have issued a letter informing the person identified of a lifetime ban from Kynoch Park and any Keith FC event. Huntly FC have been informed of the action taken.
The club claimed that no incindents of racial abuse had taken place at Kynoch Park before, and that they take racism and indeed any form of unacceptable conduct, be it directed to players, staff or spectators. very seriously.
"Keith FC condemns racism in any form, either on or off the pitch.
"Keith FC aims to create and maintain a working and spectating environment free from racial harassment, abuse and unacceptable conduct of any nature and will give their full support to the police in any criminal actions.
"We will continue to remind supporters that racist taunts and abusive or threatening behaviour will not be tolerated by Keith FC. There is no room for such behaviour in life at all.
"Once again we sincerely apologise to all at Huntly FC for the incident and applaud their support of both their and our players who may have been affected. We too have provided support to all of our players following the incident.
Nairn County are keen to identify one of their fans accused of making a racism remark at their match against Huntly last Wednesday.
Secretary Ian Finlayson said: "There is no place for this at Station Park. We have immediately launched an investigation into the incident and will look at video footage from the game and other materials to see if we can find the individual/s responsible.
"If we can identify the individuals responsible they will be banned for life from Station Park and from any game, event or function featuring Nairn County.
"In addition, we will pass any evidence gathered to police so that appropriate action can be taken.
"Let me be clear, any person holding discriminatory views of any kind is not welcome at Nairn County. We will find you and we will throw you out."
Anyone with information can email nairncountyfc@highlandleague.com or telephone Ian Finlayson 07821 828 852.
