Falkirk to ban supporters for racial abuse of own player
FALKIRK have vowed to hunt down and ban supporters who subjected their own team’s striker, Dennon Lewis, to sickening racist abuse. The flashpoint happened during the Scottish Cup third-round tie at Stenhousemuir on Saturday when Ray McKinnon’s side, who are rooted to the foot of the Championship, were knocked out of the competition by the managerless League One part-timers. The dismal cup exit saw some Falkirk fans target 21-year-old attacker Lewis, who joined from Watford in the summer. Last night, the Bairns were in talks with Police Scotland in a bid to ensure those responsible are punished in the courts. But Falkirk also revealed that Lewis’ ordeal followed a worrying rise in abusive
behaviour from fans towards the toiling club’s players and staff during a difficult season. A statement read: ‘Falkirk FC is extremely disappointed to learn of racist abuse directed at Dennon Lewis by its own supporters during Saturday’s match against Stenhousemuir. ‘As a club, we wholeheartedly condemn the abuse received by Dennon and will work to identify those responsible. ‘The individuals in question were in the Main Stand of Ochilview Park on Saturday and anyone with any information is urged to contact the club on 01324 624121 in strictest confidence. ‘Racist abuse towards anyone is simply unacceptable and will absolutely not be tolerated by Falkirk Football Club. ‘Further to this, there has been a growing number of unacceptable incidents of abuse by Falkirk fans towards members of staff and players at our club. ‘We have a duty of care towards our players and our staff and, while we do appreciate that this season has fallen well below where we all hoped we would be, it is entirely unacceptable for supporters to abuse our players and staff. ‘Many of these extremely personal attacks on individuals have been both verbal and online.’ Back in January, Falkirk fans were condemned after Dunfermline midfielder Dean Shiels was pelted with fake eyeballs during a derby match at East End Park. The Northern Irishman had an eye removed in 2006 as a result of a childhood accident. The incident occurred in the first match between the two fierce rivals since Falkirk players Kevin O’Hara and Joe McKee received eight and four game bans respectively for mocking Shiels over his disability during a match at Westfield in October 2017. In the aftermath, two men were charged under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act.