An investigation has been launched after a young Scots footballer was the victim of alleged racial abuse during a match on Sunday.
Wallyford Bluebell FC player Kamran Tufail was reportedly targeted during a clash with Clermiston Vale in Musselburgh, East Lothian.
The 25-year-old’s side has now pulled out of the FN Teamwear Cup in a stand against racism with other amateur clubs pledging solidarity with the player.
Kamran, also known as Pinkie, told how the Clermiston Vale trialist, who is not a member of the team, allegedly called him an abhorrent racial term.
He questioned his continued participation in the sport and said that this had been the third time he had been abused in just 18 months.
The footballer told Edinburgh Live : “I didn’t think he had said it loud enough but a few of our boys jumped on it.
“The ref has seen everyone's reaction but it was the usual and he said he never heard it.
“I’ve actually been racially abused three times in the last 18 months by clubs from Edinburgh and that ref was on before but he never heard it that time either.
“To be fair to him he did come see me at half time to check if I was ok and said genuinely he never heard and that he wasn’t copping out.
“When all that went on, two of my teammates heard another player from Vale say ‘He’s just done six years in the jail, what do you expect you monkey?
“They wanted a reaction from me but I wasn’t angry - I was just thinking it has happened to me again.
“I spoke with our club secretary and he said that we would be leaving the tournament to make a statement.
“I wasn’t so sure as I did not want the boys losing out because of it but they have all been so supportive.
“I’m at that stage where I don’t play Sunday league football to compete. I play because I enjoy playing with my friends but I’m ready to walk away from the game now.
“People keep saying to me do not let them win but if I continue to be abused and keep playing then who is really winning?
“At the moment it feels like racism is getting worse. We need to see action. During a group game a match was abandoned with Edinburgh Star because a referee was abused.
“Why does the same thing not happen when a player is racially abused?”
It is understood that Clermiston Vale have made contact with Wallyford regarding the issue and are said to be treating the matter seriously.
Wallyford Bluebell FC Rod Learmonth, club secretary said: “I have coached this lad since he was seven-years-old and I couldn't be more angry and upset that he has again been subjected to abuse.
“It’s disgraceful in this day and age that comments like this are expressed. This competition is not a LEAFA one, it’s being run by Football Nation and Saughton Sounders.
“Although it is being run under the rules of LEAFA, so I have spoken to the league secretary and we have reported the incidents.
“With these incidents it’s always difficult to get the strong ban they warrant, as often it comes down to one person's word against others.
“However, as well as being furious with the conduct of their players I also have a duty to report this incident on behalf of Pinkie.
“He’s genuinely distraught at what happened, and he’s well liked within our squad, so all the boys are feeling it.
“Clermiston Vale have since contacted me to confirm that due to having players self-isolating they called upon additional players to allow them to get the game played.
“It does appear that the players involved were trialists, and are not linked to the club.
“I’m fully aware that due to Covid there’s been a massive restriction placed on LEAFA regarding dealing with disciplinary matters.
“However, I've since been informed that approval has now been given to conduct meetings via zoom so we are hopefully this would be addressed as a priority.
“Just continuing along like nothing had happened felt like the wrong decision, so we took the stance that we did to try and highlight the issue.
“Since then the level of support that the club and Pinkie has received has been overwhelming, and it has restored a bit of our faith in the football community.
“We had responses to our original tweet from lots of people who know the club, and also from further afield.
“Corstorphine Dynamo were the first club to then send a tweet condemning racism, saying “they stand with Bluebell FC” and then it took off, we’ve had messages of solidarity from all corners of Scotland.
“It would be fantastic if amateur league’s across Scotland could show a sign of solidarity before the season starts.”
The club secretary for Clermiston Vale said in a statement: "We do not think it is appropriate to comment whilst an investigation is under way by LEAFA."
Chris Lowire, LEAFA Association Secretary, released an emotive statement on Twitter relating to the incident.
He said: "I wish to express both my disappointment and shame at what I’ve read on social media today and discussed directly with one of our members this morning.
“I have to admit to having questioned for most of the day whether or not I should continue to support the membership as secretary - I continue to do so only because I know the vast majority of our members are involved in the game for the right reasons and would not engage in any form of racist behaviour.
“I urge you in your roles as club secretaries and leaders of your respective clubs to ensure your members are aware of their responsibilities to the other members and to society as a whole.
"I remind the membership of the 'Objects of the Association' per Constitution Article 1(b) - 'The object of the Association will be to promote, foster and develop, throughout its membership without discrimination against any organisation or person for reason of race, religion or politics, the game of Association Football, and to take all such steps as may be deemed necessary or advisable for preventing infringements of the rules of the game or other improper methods or practices in the game and for protecting it from abuses.'”
"Every single one of the members of your clubs signs up to this.
"For the avoidance of doubt, I will have no hesitation in recommending that any club or individual found guilty of breaching Rule 1(b) be dealt the most severe sanctions possible.
"Reminder that team sheets are required for every game - I’m aware of too many friendlies that have gone ahead without them being submitted to referees.
“Without them neither clubs is insured and it is very difficult (impossible) to take any disciplinary action against an individual, irrespective of the offence. "
Edinburgh Live contacted Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association for a comment.
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