The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
PFA Scotland demands end to racist abuse
PFA Scotland has demanded an end to a series of incidents of racist abuse of players in Scotland.
Scottish football has been hit by a number of incidents in recent weeks.
A man has been given a police warning over abuse directed towards Falkirk player Dennon Lewis, while Celtic winger Scott Sinclair and Aberdeen full-back Shay Logan both hit back at acts of racism last week.
Two men were also arrested on Saturday after Motherwell defender Christian Mbulu was the subject of alleged racist taunts during the match against Hearts.
PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart said: “It is incredibly disappointing to see the recent rise in verbal racist attacks in Scottish football in the last few weeks.
“No player should have to face verbal abuse of any sort at their workplace – it is totally unacceptable and must stop.”
Falkirk appealed for help from supporters to track down fans who directed abuse towards their own player, Lewis, during a William Hill Scottish Cup defeat by Stenhousemuir last month.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 34-yearold man has been charged with a breach of the peace and issued with a formal police warning following an investigation.”
Hearts issued indefinite bans to two supporters after the incident involving Mbulu on Saturday.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said on Monday: “Two men, aged 19 and 20, were arrested and charged in connection with the racial abuse of a Motherwell player at Tynecastle on Saturday 8th December 2018. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
Sinclair last week branded footage of an Aberdeen fan directing racist abuse towards him during the Betfred Cup as an “absolute disgrace”, while Logan backed his opponent and called for a life ban.
Responding to claims on social media that he had been racially abused by a Rangers fan at Ibrox days later, Logan added on Twitter: “If using the skin colour of somebody is what u have to do to try to offend a fellow human being you are losing in life.”