FAI hearing to investigate racial abuse allegation

Representatives from two of Donegal’s leading soccer clubs are to attend a Football Association of Ireland hearing this afternoon following an allegation of racial abuse.

A delegation from Letterkenny Rovers and Cockhill Celtic will meet with the Disciplinary Controls Unit (DCU) hierarchy at Abbotstown following allegations of an incident during a game between the clubs last month.

It has been alleged a Cockhill player used words of a racial nature towards an opponent during the FAI Intermediate Cup game.

It is the second time in six months that an alleged racist incident has been reported at a football ground in Donegal. In March, there were allegations that Castlebar Celtic’s Thierry Baba (named on the Irish U15 squad last week) was the subject of racist chants from a section of the Swilly Rovers support at an SFAI U-15 National Cup tie in Ramelton. Swilly Rovers were found guilty and subsequently fined €1,000 and directed that all future home games in this season’s SFAI Cups be played at neutral venues.

The club were also required to undertake an FAI Intercultural Racism programme.

Their fine was reduced to a €500 donation to charity,on appeal, but the other sanctions remained.