AXED ROSS ‘SORRY’ FOR RACE UPSET
MAURICE Ross has publicly apologised to Notts County winger Enzio Boldewijn after admitting he made a racially-charged comment about the player mid-game.
The former Scotland and Rangers defender resigned from his position as the Magpies assistant head coach on Monday following the incident in their 1-1 draw last weekend at Altrincham, during the club’s boycott of social media over discrimination.
Ross, 40, made a comment in front of the club’s substitutes about the Dutch forward while he was playing and the 28-year-old was informed afterwards by his furious teammates.
County CEO Jason Turner was made aware of the issue and Ross, following a phone call on Monday with head coach Ian Burchnall, resigned.
“The manager spoke to me (again) later that day – I hadn’t had any communication with the club – and he said the player was really upset and felt so uncomfortable,” Ross told BBC Scotland Sportsound. “I said that on the back of that I feel I had to resign. I did it instantly.”
On the remark made about Boldewijn, Ross said: “The exact words I said were, ‘He looks like he’s moving like a 40-year-old. What age is he actually? Does he have a doctored African passport?’.
“I had no other intentions other than I was questioning the mobility of a footballer. When I hear it back now, I’m wincing at it.
“It was a clumsy, insensitive analogy. And it’s one if I could take it back, I would. I just feel sad that I’ve made a really lovely boy feel bad about him myself. That’s where my pain lies.”
Ross was brought to the club by the newly-appointed Burchnall five weeks ago and is deeply regretful.
“I take full responsibility of it, I am not trying to hide away,” he added “This is why I’m here today, not to be exonerated. I’m here to apologise to an individual who is a cracking footballer, a cracking lad. I can only say sorry.”
Notts confirmed Ross had left the club with immediate effect on Monday and have made no further comment.
County then beat second placed Sutton on Tuesday with captain Michael
Doyle stepping into assist Burchnall until the end of the season.