FAI begin investigation into alleged abuse
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The FAI have begun an investigation into alleged racial abuse aimed at Derry City’s Eamon Zayed by an opposing player during Monday night’s Airtricity League Premier Division match at Tallaght Stadium against Shamrock Rovers.
The FAI today announced that the FAI Disciplinary Control Unit had begun an investigation into the alleged abuse toward Zayed and the PFAI this evening confirmed the complaint.
"The PFAI has been approached by Derry City player Eamon Zayed in relation to an allegation of racial abuse by an opposition player during last night’s fixture with Shamrock Rovers", the PFAI statement read. But they have confirmed that the alleged player had not yet been contacted.
"The Association has not yet been contacted by the player alleged to have made the comment. The PFAI condemns all forms of racist abuse and is an active participant in the Show Racism the Red Card campaign.
However, it is important that due process be followed and the player accused of making the comment be given the opportunity to answer the allegations. In the circumstances, the PFAI urges caution until the full facts emerge and the FAI investigation is complete."
Derry City manager Stephen Kenny admitted that Zayed had spoken to the match observer after the game and was quite upset at the abuse. Kenny also confirmed that there was also an incident after the match with St. Patrick’s Athletic on Friday in Richmond Park.
An earlier statement from the FAI said that they take "all instances of racist abuse very seriously and does not condone nor accept any racist behaviour or attitudes."
“However, there is a complete process to go through when allegations of this nature are made. We will look for comments from the club and individuals allegedly involved and will address the matter in a sensitive fashion”, Airtricity League Director Fran Gavin said.
“We’ve shown in the past that the league and the Association will act swiftly on these matters. All our clubs have supported our Show Racism the Red Card campaign for several years now in conjunction with the PFAI.”
“Racism is something we will not tolerate in our game and thankfully it hasn’t been a feature in our games. However, it is something we must always be mindful of.”
The FAI today announced that the FAI Disciplinary Control Unit had begun an investigation into the alleged abuse toward Zayed and the PFAI this evening confirmed the complaint.
"The PFAI has been approached by Derry City player Eamon Zayed in relation to an allegation of racial abuse by an opposition player during last night’s fixture with Shamrock Rovers", the PFAI statement read. But they have confirmed that the alleged player had not yet been contacted.
"The Association has not yet been contacted by the player alleged to have made the comment. The PFAI condemns all forms of racist abuse and is an active participant in the Show Racism the Red Card campaign.
However, it is important that due process be followed and the player accused of making the comment be given the opportunity to answer the allegations. In the circumstances, the PFAI urges caution until the full facts emerge and the FAI investigation is complete."
Derry City manager Stephen Kenny admitted that Zayed had spoken to the match observer after the game and was quite upset at the abuse. Kenny also confirmed that there was also an incident after the match with St. Patrick’s Athletic on Friday in Richmond Park.
An earlier statement from the FAI said that they take "all instances of racist abuse very seriously and does not condone nor accept any racist behaviour or attitudes."
“However, there is a complete process to go through when allegations of this nature are made. We will look for comments from the club and individuals allegedly involved and will address the matter in a sensitive fashion”, Airtricity League Director Fran Gavin said.
“We’ve shown in the past that the league and the Association will act swiftly on these matters. All our clubs have supported our Show Racism the Red Card campaign for several years now in conjunction with the PFAI.”
“Racism is something we will not tolerate in our game and thankfully it hasn’t been a feature in our games. However, it is something we must always be mindful of.”
About Brendan White
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