Press Statement
The anti-racism education charity Show Racism the Red Card welcomes the action taken by the FAI in concluding the investigation of racist incidents further to reports submitted by Derry City FC and Derry City FC’s Eamon Zayed.Show Racism the Red Card’s Co-ordinator Mr Garrett Mullan said: “It shows that racism is not acceptable within football and when reported that it will be investigaged and also that action will be taken in response. Hopefully this will encourage others to report racist incidents both with football but also elsewhere.We have a report form on our website and are available to offer advice and information to individuals of all ages who witness or experience racism.I would like to take this opportunity to commend Eamon Zayed for his bravery in reporting the incidents and also for his club for supporting him through the investigation. I would also like to acknowledge that Shamrock Rovers have been supportive of the Show Racism the Red Card campaign and players, for example Ryan Thompson, Gary Twigg and Stephen Rice- have been involved with us in promoting the anti-racism message in schools in the Dublin area.The incidents serve to show that we cannot be complacent in regards to racism and when an incident occurs action must be taken because racism cannot be accepted in sport or in society”.Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic have been punished by an FAI Disciplinary Committee for abuse aimed at Derry City player Eamon Zayed.Rovers player Chris Turner has been suspended for three games for comments made to Zayed during a match in June.Turner was found guilty of ‘offensive behaviour’ but Rovers were cleared of an allegation regarding the behaviour of their supporters.St Pat’s were fined 200 euros for abuse directed towards Zayed by some fans.The allegations related to Premier Division matches played on 10 June and 13 June at the Tallaght Stadium and Richmond Park.Derry City chairman Phil O’Doherty welcomed the decision of the committee.”This was a case of one player’s word against another and it is a very fair result,” said O’Doherty.”I believe this is a good day for football as the FAI are saying they are going to clamp down on behaviour like this.”They are saying they have the power to take action based on the balance of probabilities.”
