Gonzales accuses own vice chairman COLNE CAUGHT IN RACE STORM
COLNE FC have been thrown into a racism probe after popular striker Sefton Gonzales quit the club following alleged abuse – from his own vice-chairman!
In an emotional statement this week, the 27-year-old claimed he was publicly abused “several times” by board member Aaron Hurst after their FA Cup tie at Gateshead on October 19.
In-house talks failed to resolve the matter and on Friday Hurst stepped down from his “untenable” position before a subsequent investigation, led by chairman Ryan Haigh, prompted Gonzales to stage a walk-out. However, amid claims the BetVictor Northern Premier League North West club have appealed his resignation, Gonzales says he is still being fined for his refusal to play.
The matter has been passed on for both The FA and Northern Premier League to investigate.
Humiliation
Gonzales, the former Stockport, FC United and Clitheroe striker said: “It’s with regret that I’m writing this to let everyone know that I have been forced to end my contract with Colne FC.
“After the game with Gateshead, I was racially abused, several times, by the vice chairman Aaron Hurst for his own amusement, in front of fans and fellow players.
“Following this, I have had to attend several meetings as the chairman [Ryan Haigh] decided he wanted to handle this quietly within the club. I hoped it would be handled professionally and properly and I don’t think that has been the case.
“I was told the outcome of this investigation was that, despite being less than a metre away from him and being 6’5” that the vice chairman actually couldn’t see me when he was shouting and laughing ‘Where is Sefton’ while we were outside.
“It’s fair to say I have been treated terribly throughout the whole process. At one point it was even suggested it might have been a misunderstanding and the fault of the vice chairman possibly being drunk which, regardless, is no excuse to discriminate against another person because of the colour of their skin.
“I decided it wouldn’t be a good idea to play recently with the stress and humiliation of how this was being handled. To say this hasn’t affected me would be a lie.
“Racism in football, at any level, should not be tolerated and this incident is proof that it isn’t taken seriously.
“I have resigned from the club because I do not want to play for a club that condones and supports racism and not only have Colne FC appealed my resignation but they are fining me for not playing games.
“I have now reported the incident to the FA and hopefully this will be resolved quickly.”
A statement from Colne FC, released on Friday lunchtime, read: “Colne Football Club was made aware of an alleged incident of racism following our FA Cup fixture against Gateshead FC on Saturday 19th October 2019.
Correspondence
“Immediate action was taken whilst a thorough investigation was conducted. Following the investigation which included speaking to witnesses and working alongside guidelines set out by the club, the Football Associations Code of Conduct and Player Contract, Colne FC officials have concluded there was no evidence of racist intent or behaviour.
“The club is unable to comment any further at this time due to the matter already being in the hands of the Northern
Premier League and the Football Association. All files, correspondence and recordings have been handed over and we are confident our investigatory process was professional, sensitive and fair.
“Colne Football Club takes all reports of hate crime seriously and would like to reaffirm that any such behaviour has no place online, in our stadium, our club, our community or our game.
“Mr Hurst strongly denies any accusation of racism, however, as the accusation has been brought into the public domain the position as Vice Chairman is currently untenable and as such, as he did whilst the club conducted the initial investigation, he will step away from club duties and not attend matches until the process is completed.”