Man left badly hurt in town centre assault
SOUTHPORT Football Club was left disgusted after one of its players was racially abused online.
The club said it took immediate action after becoming aware of the abuse shortly after the 3-1 defeat to York City on Saturday afternoon.
The matter has been referred to the police as well as the Minstermen and the governing National League.
A spokesperson for the club said: “Southport Football Club strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and was disgusted to learn of this incident.
“The club took immediate action by reporting this to the Police, York City Football Club and the National League and will continue to work with those bodies to bring the perpetrator to justice and to ensure as far as possible that this behaviour has no place within our beautiful game.
“In the meantime, we are doing all we can to support our player plus others in the squad affected by this. We will be making no further comment whilst investigations are ongoing.”
York joined the club is condemning the person responsible for the vile abuse.
Writing on social media, the club said: “We strongly condemn all forms of discrimination, and we are disappointed to learn of this incident – this behaviour has no place in society or football.
“We are liaising with Southport on the case, which has been reported to the relevant authorities, and are offering our help to support those affected by the incident.”
In September, a football fan who racially abused a West Bromwich Albion footballer on social media was jailed and ordered to pay compensation.
Simon Silwood, 50, of Randall Close , Kingswinford, was convicted of sending an offensive message under the Communications Act following a trial ending on September 9 and three weeks later given an eight week jail sentence.
He was also banned from matches for life by Albion.
A MAN was serious injured after being attacked on his way to a taxi rank in the early hours.
The man was about to get into a taxi with a man and woman outside the Firepit Bar on Lord Street, Southport when he was attacked by two men at around 4am on Saturday (October 10).
The two suspects made off on foot down Lord Street towards the Scarisbrick Hotel.
Emergency services attended and the man was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries to his face.
The two men are described as white, around 5ft 10in tall, clean shaven and in their late 20s to early 30s.
One of the suspects was described as having a tooth missing on the left side of his mouth and at the time of the attack was wearing Adidas tracksuit bottoms and a navy blue top.
The second suspect was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a grey tracksuit top.
Extensive enquiries are ongoing into the assault and police are appealing for any witnesses to get in touch.
Detective Inspector Paula Furlong said: “This appears to have been a completely unprovoked, nasty attack which has left a man injured.
“We are examining CCTV footage and carrying out witness and forensic enquiries to locate the men responsible. We would ask anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information to please contact us.
“If you were out on Lord Street that morning and witnessed the assault, saw the men described or captured any mobile or dashcam footage then please come forward. Information you hold could be vital in bringing these men to justice.
“We want our bars in Southport and across Merseyside to be safe spaces for all to enjoy. We simply will not tolerate such acts of violence and so please come forward and tell us what you know to remove those responsible for such mindless acts of violence from our streets.”
If you have any information on this incident please contact Merseyside Police’s social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ with any information, with reference 21000700822.
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form.