Clubs slam the abuse of Bartley
Hibs and Hearts have condemned the racist abuse aimed at the Easter Road club’s player Marvin Bartley during Saturday’s Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle.
A video was circulated on social media at the weekend, showing the 32-year-old warming up on the touchline, with the caption “black c***”. The clip appeared to have been filmed from an area housing Hearts supporters.
Bartley branded the perpetrator “small-minded” and “ignorant” and was supported by his club.
Hibs issued a statement which said: “It goes without saying that Marvin has our full support.
“There is no place in football for racism and it is an issue that stretches beyond a single club or support base.
“We all have a duty to rid our game of these individuals and, in particular, ensure young supporters don’t grow up thinking that kind of behaviour is in any way acceptable.”
A spokesperson for Hearts said: “The club abhors racism of any kind and will take appropriate action against any individual found guilty of racist behaviour within Tynecastle.”
A 38-year-old man was arrested in a separate incident over racist remarks made at the game, which
Hibs won 2-1 thanks to a double from Daryl Horgan.
A 16-year-old and 19-year-old were also detained in relation to the throwing of a coin and flare respectively.
Police Scotland confirmed they were investigating the Bartley incident, which was reported on Monday.
In a statement posted to his Twitter account, Bartley said: “I understand that a young man recorded me warming up and sent the video out to his friends with the caption “black c***”.
“At first the sound had been removed but having now obtained and viewed the video in full, I am shocked that he can also be heard repeatedly calling me a n ***** .
“I take everything that is thrown at me, as untrue as it is, when playing [at Tynecastle] and simply get on with it, but the one thing that I refuse to accept is racial abuse.
“So maybe it is time to take action against these smallminded, ignorant people. Let’s not let it creep back into OUR game.”
Former Leyton Orient and Burnley midfielder Bartley has previously addressed racist abuse at matches on his social media account.
After a Hibernian supporter was seen on television appearing to shout racist abuse at the Hearts defender Clevid Dikamona during the Edinburgh derby in late December, Bartley tweeted: “Result aside, believe me I’m just as hurt by today as you are, but seeing one of your own ‘fans’ say this is truly heartbreaking”. 0 Marvin Bartley: Celebrates derby win with Daryl Horgan.