The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding United have pledged to give lifetime bans to those proven guilty of racism following an incident in Saturday’s match with Romulus.
A row broke out after a remark from a fan during the Evo-Stik Division One North clash which angered the visitors to the Sir Halley Stewart Field.
The incident occurred when Romulus player Malachi Farquharson was booked for diving during the 1-1 draw and led to an angry response from both away and home fans, players and officials.
Following what turned out to be his last game with the club Romulus’ former assistant manager Neil Tooth tweeted: “Racism in football lives on @SpaldingUnited I’m afraid.
“One idiot only but when the club officials response is “we have asked him not to do it again” I’m sorry that’s poor!
“Fair play though to the home supporters who were also disgusted by what was said twice. #KickItOut”
The incident has been reported to the national anti-racism campaign Kick it Out.
Spalding United’s chairman Andy Gay said: “If we find the culprit and what he said is proved to be racist then we will issue them with a lifetime ban.
“On investigation over the last couple of days I’ve been talking to people around the ground and some have said it was a chant aimed at the dug out, as in get back in your cage in the dug out.
“Whether that’s right or wrong I would say to people to mind their vocabulary while at games.”
When the incident happened Andy left his seat to ease tensions following the remarks and to try and see who made the comments.
Commenting on Mr Tooth’s claims that a Spalding official had asked someone “not to do it again”, Andy said: “He’s assuming we know for definite who it was, but we don’t.
“If anybody has any evidence or can point me in the right direction then I urge them to contact me directly and in confidence.
“We are not a racist club. We have fans from many backgrounds and gave kits to a bunch of lads in Goa.”
