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Bottler…..
I’m sure many who were at Swinecastle in March would have noticed the racial abuse directed at Richard Offiong. The Police did nothing, the Stewards watched from a distance, and despite many complaints nothing was done. I wrote to Chris Robinson who, in his typical no-nonsense style ( NOT ) wrote back. Both letters are detailed below?
Dear Mr Robinson
I am writing to complain about the racial abuse directed at Richard Offiong of Motherwell FC at the match on Saturday, 1st March 2003. As Richard warmed-up a sizeable section of the Hearts support close to the away end were heard to chant ‘ You black bastard ‘ and raise their hands in a Nazi-style salute as he ran past. This is the most disgusting behaviour I have witnessed at a football match and what astounded not only myself but also many others was the lack of action from both Stewards and Police alike. Not only that, but the same section were also guilty of completely unnecessary chants along similar lines towards Dirk Lehmann. Agreed, he was a former Hibernian player, but to chant ‘ You German Bastard ‘ is also extremely distasteful. The severest of action must be taken against those who perpetrated what took place, with the CCTV in place they surely can be easily identified. As I said, the inability of the Police and Stewards to prevent this was somewhat disgraceful. There was also the hideous sight when one of their own players appeared, they began chanting his name with reference to sectarianism - there’s little doubt that ‘ Ulster’s Andy ‘ is to do with any reason other than bigotry. This was most apparent when those so-called supporters then raised their arms in a red hand salute. This disease which is prevalent in Glasgow and the West of Scotland now appears to be surfacing with great regularity at Tynecastle and is extremely embarrassing in today’s game. I, along with many others, were under the impression Hearts were doing something positive to eradicate this - it would appear those seemingly feeble efforts have had no effect. It is very sad to see this and has made me think again about returning to Tynecastle to watch Motherwell in future. I see enough of it when we have to play the Old Firm without it appearing elsewhere.
I look forward to your reply to what was a very uncomfortable afternoon at a football match, and that feeling had nothing to do with the end result.
Chris Robinson’s reply wasn’t worth the paper it was typed on???
Dear Richard
Thank you for your letter. The group of supporters, which you highlight, have been a problem for the Club for the last few years. We believe they are not really football supporters but members of the National Front masquerading as such. On numerous occasions some of these supporters have been ejected and barred from Tynecastle. Only last week one of their number was found not guilty of racist abuse at our match earlier in the season against Aberdeen. The allegations were against two coloured Aberdeen players, one of whom I believe used to play for Motherwell.
You can see, therefore, that past attempts at arrest and prosecution have failed, and why the Police and Stewards feel rather limited in the action they can take. This section of our support is frankly an embarrassment. They are, however, more of a problem for society, and short of closing the stadium altogether I am not sure we can eradicate these individuals behaviour to the satisfaction of everyone.
Chris Robinson
Don’t know about you, but I smell s*ite drifting from the Chief Executive’s office down Tynecastle way????..
Ricky Mullen
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