Dunhill Links joy for former Masters winner – questioned as club backs Fuchs

Dundee United boss Tam Courts waved a “Show Racism The Red Card” T-shirt towards Ross County fans after an alleged “slur” towards Jeando Fuchs.

Courts approached the small band of travelling support waving the T-shirt moments after his side’s 1-0 win over the Highland side on Saturday.

United have launched a probe into claims a “racist shout” was directed towards Fuchs as Ilmari Niskanen put his side ahead.

A visibly upset Fuchs complained to the home bench as his United team-mates celebrated Ilmari Niskanen’s first-half opener.

Courts did not speak to the media after the game, with his assistant undertaking media duties.

And Ross County boss Malky Mackay admits Courts’ T-shirt gesture was an “interesting judgement call”.

“I thought it was an interesting thing to do considering he doesn’t know exactly what has happened,” said Mackay.

“It is clearly premeditated because that red T-shirt isn’t sitting on the bench.

“For a manager to do that was an interesting situation and something that was an interesting judgement call to make.”

With Courts not speaking after the game, Fox addressed the incident.

He said: “Myself and the manager had a conversation with Jeando. That conversation will remain private until there is an investigation.

“Jeando’s performance for the game was absolutely outstanding. I’d rather speak about that than anything else at the moment.”

County chief executive Steven Ferguson released a statement yesterday saying his club’s own investigations found that “no racist language” was used in a chant aimed at Fuchs.

It said: “The club instantly and proactively acted as we had a member of our safety team travelling with the squad, who is a highly experienced and former high-ranking police officer.”

The statement added: “We also feel the gesture from United manager Thomas Courts towards our supporters did not reflect responsible handling of the matter given that representatives of both clubs upon the full-time whistle had come to the conclusion that no racist language had been used.

“This could also have incited risk to Ross County supporters leaving the stadium after the game.”

County added they will continue to co-operate with United with their own investigation and would encourage the involvement of Police Scotland and the Scottish FA compliance officer “as a full and thorough investigation needs to be conducted”.