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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Steven Mair

Ross County hit out at Dundee United racism allegations as they claim Tam Courts gesture risked Staggies support's safety

Ross County have hit out at Tam Courts' anti-racism gesture at the end of their Premiership clash against Dundee United.

The Terrors boss walked over to the Staggies' away end holding up a "Show Racism the Red Card" t-shirt on Saturday afternoon at Tannadice after an alleged racist chant was aimed at midfielder Jeando Fuchs during the match.

County manager Malky Mackay hit out at Courts' gesture, branding it "premeditated" and an "interesting judgement call".

And Mackay clearly has the backing of his club who have now released a lengthy statement to declare their version of events.

It read: "Following the opening goal at Tannadice, Ross County club officials were alerted to a complaint made by Jeando Fuchs of Dundee United to the match officials in relation to alleged racist language being used from the area housing our supporters.

"The club instantly and pro-actively acted as we had a member of our safety team travelling with the squad, who is a highly experienced and former high-ranking police officer.

"During the end of the first half and for the vast majority of the second half our safety officer engaged with his Dundee United counterpart, Dundee United stewards and Ross County supporters as well as other representatives of both clubs where it was made clear to him from all parties, that no racist language had been used during a chant that was aimed at Jeando Fuchs.

"Dundee United stewards were extremely close to the area where the chant had come from and had confirmed that no racist language had been used, however swearing and foul language had been.

"At half-time the referee and his fellow officials also met with representatives of both clubs.

"We also feel the gesture from Dundee United manager Thomas Courts towards our supporters did not reflect responsible handling of the matter given that representatives of both clubs upon the full-time whistle had come to the conclusion that no racist language had been used.

"This could also have incited risk to Ross County supporters leaving the stadium after the game.

"As a football club we will always defend our club, our supporters and our people where we feel they are being misrepresented or have not being treated to the same standards that we show to visiting supporters.

"We understand that this is a hugely important societal issue, and we will continue to support the fight against racism, but in order to best do so we need to always ensure that there is accurate, clear and unquestionable evidence and facts to support racism complaints.

"We will always continue to investigate each and every issue to the best of our ability, as we did yesterday, to ensure that we best protect everybody effected within each scenario.

"We would also like to state that Jeando has the full compassion of everybody at Ross County as we were made aware of how distressed he has been from the chain of events."

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