ALLEGED racist abuse from fans in three successive matches has seen the manager, coach and secretary at non-league Atherstone Town resign.
The Midland League Division One – the tenth tier of English football – side had their FA Vase game at Stafford halted last Saturday after the home side’s keeper Samuel Amedu reported alleged abuse to officials.
Alleged racist abuse from fans in three successive matches has seen the manager, coach and secretary at non-league Atherstone Town resignCredit: PA:Press Association
Atherstone eventually won 3-0 and the club issued a statement after the game stating the fans had been identified and would face lifetime bans.
But former manager Scott Rickards took a stronger stand and said he “could no longer be part of the club”.
And he was joined by club secretary Dave Turner and assistant manager Mike Fowler who also handed in their notice.
Speaking to BBC Coventry and Warwickshire, Rickards said: “I’ve got black players who play for my team – where do I stand morally and ethically if I say let’s just deal with that person and move on?
“Instantly the club made a statement about dealing with the individuals, and I made my stance along with my assistant.
“When a club has a stigma attached to it and you’re at the helm as the manager, if I go and support that where does that leave me as a coach and a manager?
“There were some racism allegations made by staff of Worcester City after the first leg of our FA Vase game recently, but the club wasn’t able to find evidence that it was true.
“We don’t manage football games to be abused, whether racially, verbally or physically – it shouldn’t be part of football full stop, let alone at our level.”
Stafford released a statement thanking Atherstone for their actions after the game.
And the away side are expected to report the incident to the police after a club meeting on Wednesday.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
