Club probe into racist abuse claim
A LEADING South Wales football club is investigating after an opposition player was allegedly racially abused during a league match.
Merthyr Town FC hosted Hungerford Town in a Southern Premier League South clash at Penydarren Park on Monday, April 1, with the home side easing to a 3-0 win to move them back into the play-off spots.
But their performance was marred by alleged scenes in the stands, with the visitors accusing “a section of the home crowd” of aiming racial abuse towards their defender Ramarni Medford-Smith.
The incident left Hungerford manager Danny Robinson on the verge of tears as he slammed the “absolutely unforgivable” behaviour in an emotional post-match interview, adding that “something needs to drastically happen”. Merthyr said it was investigating the allegation and working with both match officials and Hungerford Town to deal with the matter “as swiftly as possible”. The club added that it “strongly condemns” such behaviour and would consider a lifetime ban against anyone found guilty.
Following the game, a “heartbroken” Robinson spoke of his regret at sending his team out to play the second half, adding that he have “should have been a stronger character” and refused, despite his players saying they wanted to carry on.
While he praised Merthyr for their performance on the field, he said the alleged actions of a section of the crowd were “unacceptable and unforgivable”.
Hungerford manager Robinson said in an emotional post-match interview: “Football is irrelevant today because of what my player Ramarni went through with a certain section of the crowd here. It doesn’t matter, the result here today, because to be racially abused in 2024 by a section of supporters here is absolutely unforgivable.
“I blame myself because, really and truthfully, should we have come out for the second half? I don’t think we should have done, I should have been a stronger character and said no.
“The protocol is, it goes over the Tannoy first and if it happens again we have the right to walk off. I wouldn’t have blamed him for storming off, [but] we had good dialogue with him and he wanted to play on.
“It has marred a wonderful performance from Merthyr because they are a top side,” he added.
“But what my player has gone through today, it’s unforgivable and you can probably tell by my voice, I’m absolutely heartbroken.
“I’m the manager of this football club and what my player went through today is unacceptable and something needs to drastically happen because at the end of the day, it should never, ever, ever happen.”
After the match, Merthyr released a statement which read: “Merthyr Town Football Club are aware of an alleged racial incident at today’s game against Hungerford Town, with one of the Hungerford Town players claiming to be the subject of a racist remark.
“Investigations into the alleged incident are ongoing.
“However, as a community club, Merthyr Town FC strongly condemns the use of racist, homophobic or abusive language of any kind at both home and away fixtures.
“Such behaviour will simply not be tolerated, and appropriate action taken against any individual identified in using this kind of language; including a lifetime ban from the club, in addition to any legal proceedings that may be instigated.”
“The club are actively engaged with today’s match officials and Hungerford Town Football Club to further identify any additional information regarding today’s alleged incident and will work to ensure a suitable outcome is found as swiftly as possible.”
The Football Association of Wales confirmed it will be launching an investigation into the matter.