PFAI step back in racism dispute
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The PFAI have this evening confirmed that it will not be representing either party in the on-going FAI investigation into alleged racial abuse aimed at Derry City’s Eamon Zayed during Monday night’s match at Tallaght Stadium between Derry City and Shamrock Rovers.
The player alleged to have made the comment has contacted the PFAI for assistance in dealing with the allegation and, having consulted with PFAI lawyer Stuart Gilhooly, the PFAI have said it would not be appropriate to represent either party, adding that “that the integrity of the process is paramount.”
The PFAI have also confirmed that the player in question has re-iterated last night’s statement from his club Shamrock Rovers refuting the accusation that has been made against him.
”Further to yesterday’s statement regarding the incident involving Derry City player Eamon Zayed, the PFAI can confirm that it has now been approached by the Shamrock Rovers player who is alleged to have made a racist comment. The player, who is also a member of the Association, sought to seek the assistance of the PFAI in dealing with the allegation”, the statement read.
”The player re-iterated his stance that he has not made any racist comment in accordance with the statement released by Shamrock Rovers FC last night. The PFAI has consulted with its solicitor, Stuart Gilhooly, who has advised that as both players are members of the Association and have conflicting recollections of the events in question, that it would not be appropriate for the Association to represent either party.”
”The PFAI still believes that justice should be served in accordance with the FAI investigation and confirms that the integrity of the process is paramount.”
The player alleged to have made the comment has contacted the PFAI for assistance in dealing with the allegation and, having consulted with PFAI lawyer Stuart Gilhooly, the PFAI have said it would not be appropriate to represent either party, adding that “that the integrity of the process is paramount.”
The PFAI have also confirmed that the player in question has re-iterated last night’s statement from his club Shamrock Rovers refuting the accusation that has been made against him.
”Further to yesterday’s statement regarding the incident involving Derry City player Eamon Zayed, the PFAI can confirm that it has now been approached by the Shamrock Rovers player who is alleged to have made a racist comment. The player, who is also a member of the Association, sought to seek the assistance of the PFAI in dealing with the allegation”, the statement read.
”The player re-iterated his stance that he has not made any racist comment in accordance with the statement released by Shamrock Rovers FC last night. The PFAI has consulted with its solicitor, Stuart Gilhooly, who has advised that as both players are members of the Association and have conflicting recollections of the events in question, that it would not be appropriate for the Association to represent either party.”
”The PFAI still believes that justice should be served in accordance with the FAI investigation and confirms that the integrity of the process is paramount.”
About Brendan White
Brendan White is Extratime News Editor and is responsible for the news section of Extratime.ie. Brendan also covers matches in Dublin and Waterford. You can contact Brendan on twitter @whitebrendan. View Full Profile