COURTS HAS NO REGRETS OVER FUCHS RACISM ROW

Dundee United head coach insists midfielder’s claim was corroborated as SPFL and Ross County close case due to ‘insufficient evidence’

DUNDEE UNITED declared they had received “corroboration” that Jeando Fuchs was racially abused by a Ross County fan after the Dingwall club claimed their supporters had been “exonerated” by the authorities.

The midfielder claimed the incident occurred as he celebrated United’s winning goal in the cinch Premiership encounter at Tannadice earlier this month. County claimed a supporter had been misheard but the Tayside club have continued to stand by their player.

Moments before United manager

Tam Courts arrived for his pre-match media conference ahead of tomorrow’s game with Hibernian, County released a statement saying they had “received confirmation from the authorities that there was no evidence of racist language being used”.

Chief executive Steven Ferguson added: “We now feel that Ross County and our supporters have been fully exonerated, and we can draw conclusion on this matter.”

When told about the comments, Courts said: “At the time we were acting on allegations. I think those allegations have been corroborated and from my perspective it is purely wanting to support ourplayeronthedayandalsostandshouldertoshoulderwithouropponentsonthe day, their management team and also their wider fan base just to let them know thatweasfootballpeoplehavetostandup for any allegations that are made.

“If I look at the incident that happened and the allegations, I am actually quite content about what unfolded in terms of our support for our player and also because as football fans we have to hold ourselves to really high standards.”

Ferguson had stated that a large amount of evidence was reviewed by various parties including Police Scotland, who said that although they were aware of the incident, they had received no formal complaint, which would have sparked an investigation. The SFA confirmed it had no role in investigations as crowd issues for league games fall under the SPFL’s remit.

An SPFL spokesman said: “After reviewing the match delegate’s report and information provided by Ross County and Dundee United, the SPFL has concluded there is insufficient evidence for any action to be taken by the SPFL against Ross County on this matter.”