Martindale: We’ll back Marv’s call on walk-off
DAVIE MARTINDALE insists he’d back Marvin Bartley to the hilt if the Livingston captain ever had to lead the team off the pitch due to a player being racially abused.
The midfielder said in a interview the Lions would take the drastic step if an incident arose.
Bartley’s comments come in the wake of Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela’s 10-game ban by UEFA for racially abusing Rangers star Glen Kamara.
As he prepared his side for today’s Scottish Cup last-16 clash at Aberdeen, Martindale insisted Bartley, who works with the SFA’s Equality and Diversity Advisory Board, would be supported in whatever course of action he decides is appropriate.
The Livingston boss said: “I’ve spoken to Marvin about it and I’m going to take my lead off him.
“He’s the best-placed person at the club to make these decisions. He’s working in a capacity with the SFA, he’s the captain of the club and a black player.
“Whatever Marvin sees fit, I’ll back him 100 per cent. He’s very level headed.
“This type of thing affects Marvin personally, so he will have my, and the club’s, full backing whatever Marvin decides is best. Having Marvin leading the campaign can only help.”
Martindale, though, is hopeful he will never have to see his players walk off due to a racism incident.
He said: “It would send a statement if the players walked off but I don’t think we’ll see that in Scotland.
“I may be wrong, and Marvin, Efe Ambrose, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Steve Lawson could tell me otherwise, but I don’t think it’s a massive problem in Scottish football.
“Can we do better? Of course we can but we’re in a good place.”