Police have opened an inquiry into racist messages allegedly sent to Derby County’s Duane Holmes by someone claiming to be a Nottingham Forest fan, who has now been barred from matches by the City Ground club.
Forest became the latest club to take action after the opening weekend of the Football League season was blighted by reports of racist behaviour.
“The club are aware of some racist social media messages which have been posted by an individual who claims to be a supporter and denounces the conduct of the individual responsible in the strongest possible terms,” Forest said in a statement.
“As soon as the club was made aware of the offending posts the matter was referred to the police as they appear to meet the threshold of criminal conduct. The club will continue to co-operate with the police who are pursuing their enquiries.
“Whilst these enquiries are ongoing the club has suspended the ability of the individual concerned from attending matches. In addition to this the club would like it to be known that it will take robust steps and sanction any individual who seeks to assist the individual concerned from attending matches in breach of the club’s suspension.
“The club will take further action against the individual when the outcome of the police enquiries and the criminal process is known.”
This latest intervention follows a weekend in which the Fulham defender Cyrus Christie alleged his sister was hit and racially abused by supporters of his own club during their Championship fixture at Barnsley on Saturday. Fulham are investigating the matter and have vowed to take “the strongest possible action”.
Meanwhile, the Southend striker Theo Robinson claimed he was a target of racist abuse from a fan sitting near his family and friends at Coventry. According to the anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out, James McClean of Stoke and Barnsley’s Bambo Diaby were also subjected to abuse.
A spokesperson for Kick It Out said: “On the first weekend of the season, these incidents should be a reminder for everyone in football that racism and discrimination cannot be ignored. Clubs and the football authorities must be relentless in calling out this disgraceful behaviour, and be prepared to issue strong sanctions and education sessions to any supporter involved.”
