Kelty star racially abused at Cliftonhill

KELTY HEARTS striker Nathan Austin was the victim of racist abuse after scoring a hat-trick in yesterday’s League Two victory over Albion Rovers.

The Englishman starred at Cliftonhill, hitting three goals to keep the Fife side top of the table, but his day was soured when an Albion fan called him a ‘monkey’ during the match.

Kelty immediately launched an investigation into the allegation following the 3-0 win and last night Rovers supporters’ group Coatbridge Boys confirmed one of their

members was responsible. Austin (below) wrote on social media: ‘A perfect hat-trick tarnished by an Albion Rovers fan calling me a monkey but I guess that’s the world we live in. Enjoy your Saturday folks cos I will.’

Insisting they moved swiftly to remove the person from the organisation, a statement from the Rovers fan group said: ‘Today one of Kelty Hearts players, Nathan Austin, was racially abused by a member of our group.

‘Since then, the person has owned up to it and has been removed from our group.

‘We would like to apologise to Nathan and Kelty Hearts. Coatbridge Boys stand against racism.’

A Kelty statement read: ‘We are aware of an incident of racist abuse during our match with Albion Rovers today. It came from an individual in the home end terracing towards one of our players.

‘An investigation is under way with our friends at Albion Rovers FC, who gave all at our club a fantastic welcome on our first visit to Cliftonhill.

‘Kelty Hearts Football Club shall support all of our players and members fully against racism of any kind, we strongly condemn racism and are totally commited to the elimination of all forms of discrimination.’