O’S KEEPER VIG: ABUSE IS RUINING GAME
BY IAN BAKER
EXCLUSIVE GOALKEEPER Lawrence Vigouroux has opened up on the sickening racist abuse he received last week – and urged more footballers to speak out when they are attacked on social media. The Leyton Orient shotstopper shared outrageous messages he received from Port Vale fans in the wake of his side’s 3-2 defeat at Vale Park.
And Vigouroux, 27, admits he has had a tough week since.
He said: “We scored the second in the 86th-minute to go ahead and I did the ‘calm down’ motion. “They then went and scored two goals, so I had egg on my face. “Afterwards, I was chilling on the coach going through social media.
“I had hundreds of messages from Port Vale fans telling me I was rubbish, but that’s fine. It’s football banter – if you can give it out, you must be able to take it. “Then I got those messages. I don’t mind being called rubbish, but when you bring my skin colour into it, it is quite sad. “Sky Sports every day says, ‘We are all aiming to kick it out’, but things need to be put onto social media when any footballer suffers abuse that’s homophobic, racist, whatever. People can see what people are like, certain individuals.
“It’s very important to get my message out there – that football is a beautiful game but it gets ruined by some people.
“Of course it hurts but I can’t let it eat me up. I have to be strong mentally. It’s been a long few days, but I can’t wait to get back playing.”
Police are looking into the messages.
Only two weeks ago a West Brom fan was jailed for racially abusing Romaine Sawyers on social media, but Vigouroux insists it is not his place to call for punishments.
He said: “All I can do is put out there what has gone on. I hope that encourages people in every sport or in the public eye, if they receive abuse, to put it out there and then leave it to the authorities.
“We can’t control everything but I would urge others to do the same with what we can control. It needs to be out there that these things happen, every week I see another incident. Hopefully, these incidents can be put to an end.”
On the pitch, Orient are in good form as they make the long trip to Barrow today.
The O’s are fourth in League Two with Vigouroux keeping five clean sheets already and the in-form keeper reckons new boss Kenny Jackett’s arrival is making the difference.
He added: “When the manager came in, it sent shockwaves everywhere at this club. If I’m totally honest, the manager should be at a higher level. He’s proved that.
“It was a real coup to get him in. It’s been a pleasure working for him, we’ve started well, but can do better and we strive to be better.”