Scottish football boss demands police investigation after star allegedly suffers sickening racist abuse after SPFL match
EAST KILBRIDE boss Mick Kennedy has called for a police investigation after one of his players was allegedly subjected to sickening racist abuse following his side’s match at Airdrie on Saturday. EK say they are aware of an incident involving their striker Joao Balde during the match. Michael SchofieldBalde in action for East Kilbride against Aberdeen[/caption] Kenny RamsayBalde formerly played for Rangers, Hibs and Arbroath (pictured)[/caption] The sides met in the fourth round of the SPFL Trust Trophy at the weekend. After a 1-1 draw, the Lowland League outfit pulled-off a stunning triumph by knocking their Championship opponents out on penalties. But that victory has been soured following the allegations of racist abuse aimed at Balde, formerly on the books of Rangers and Hibs. In a statement released this afternoon, East Kilbride revealed Airdrie have opened an investigation. The club said: “East Kilbride Football Club is aware of an incident involving our player, Joao Balde, that occurred during Saturday’s match. “We are currently in dialogue with Airdrie Football Club, who have initiated an investigation into the matter. “We trust that Airdrie will address this situation appropriately and thoroughly. “Our thoughts remain with Joao, who was exceptional on Saturday.” East Kilbride manager Mick Kennedy believes that the investigation should go further than just a football matter. He’s called on the police to get involved. Kennedy has also revealed one his own players was BOOKED after reacting about the alleged incident. The Kilby boss has alleged an individual sitting among the home section of supporters made his way to the front of the stand before unleashing shocking abuse towards Balde. Kennedy told the Daily Mail: “At the final whistle our fans were at the far end and the players and the staff made our way down to celebrate with them. “What we assume was an Airdrie fan came down to the very front of the stand and started shouting profanities. Within that he called Joao Balde a ‘black b******.’ “A few of our players reacted and he then turned and walked back to the stand steps to leave. One of the stewards said he would deal with it and ran after him. “Joao was shocked and disappointed. I think his team-mates took it worse than Joao himself. Cammy Elliott was actually booked because of his reaction to what happened. “I think football has done a hell of a lot of work over the years to try and manage this issue and anyone identified behaving like this needs to be dealt with robustly. “My own opinion is that the police should be called in to deal with it.” SunSport have contacted Police Scotland for comment. Our New YouTube Channel Subscribe to our new Scottish Sun Sport YouTube channel for all the latest football news, views and amazing moments. We’ve got every major development covered from Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen and the rest of the Scottish Premiership. Plus we have TWO brilliant new podcasts to watch every week… MONDAY Go Ballistic with Roger Hannah and special guest Kris Boyd will dissect all the weekend action and deliver their no-holds-barred reaction. WEDNESDAY Robert Grieve and Bill Leckie chew over the tastiest topics in Scottish football and offer their unique takes in their Coffee Club. FRIDAY Go Ballistic is back with Roger Hannah and top tipster Jim Delahunt looking ahead to the weekend games and analysing the biggest talking points. Subscribe now and don’t miss a thing. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
EAST KILBRIDE boss Mick Kennedy has called for a police investigation after one of his players was allegedly subjected to sickening racist abuse following his side’s match at Airdrie on Saturday.
EK say they are aware of an incident involving their striker Joao Balde during the match.
Balde in action for East Kilbride against Aberdeen[/caption] Balde formerly played for Rangers, Hibs and Arbroath (pictured)[/caption]The sides met in the fourth round of the SPFL Trust Trophy at the weekend.
After a 1-1 draw, the Lowland League outfit pulled-off a stunning triumph by knocking their Championship opponents out on penalties.
But that victory has been soured following the allegations of racist abuse aimed at Balde, formerly on the books of Rangers and Hibs.
In a statement released this afternoon, East Kilbride revealed Airdrie have opened an investigation.
The club said: “East Kilbride Football Club is aware of an incident involving our player, Joao Balde, that occurred during Saturday’s match.
“We are currently in dialogue with Airdrie Football Club, who have initiated an investigation into the matter.
“We trust that Airdrie will address this situation appropriately and thoroughly.
“Our thoughts remain with Joao, who was exceptional on Saturday.”
East Kilbride manager Mick Kennedy believes that the investigation should go further than just a football matter.
He’s called on the police to get involved.
Kennedy has also revealed one his own players was BOOKED after reacting about the alleged incident.
The Kilby boss has alleged an individual sitting among the home section of supporters made his way to the front of the stand before unleashing shocking abuse towards Balde.
Kennedy told the Daily Mail: “At the final whistle our fans were at the far end and the players and the staff made our way down to celebrate with them.
“What we assume was an Airdrie fan came down to the very front of the stand and started shouting profanities. Within that he called Joao Balde a ‘black b******.’
“A few of our players reacted and he then turned and walked back to the stand steps to leave. One of the stewards said he would deal with it and ran after him.
“Joao was shocked and disappointed. I think his team-mates took it worse than Joao himself. Cammy Elliott was actually booked because of his reaction to what happened.
“I think football has done a hell of a lot of work over the years to try and manage this issue and anyone identified behaving like this needs to be dealt with robustly.
“My own opinion is that the police should be called in to deal with it.”
SunSport have contacted Police Scotland for comment.
Our New YouTube Channel
Subscribe to our new Scottish Sun Sport YouTube channel for all the latest football news, views and amazing moments.
We’ve got every major development covered from Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen and the rest of the Scottish Premiership.
Plus we have TWO brilliant new podcasts to watch every week…
MONDAY
Go Ballistic with Roger Hannah and special guest Kris Boyd will dissect all the weekend action and deliver their no-holds-barred reaction.
WEDNESDAY
Robert Grieve and Bill Leckie chew over the tastiest topics in Scottish football and offer their unique takes in their Coffee Club.
FRIDAY
Go Ballistic is back with Roger Hannah and top tipster Jim Delahunt looking ahead to the weekend games and analysing the biggest talking points.
Subscribe now and don’t miss a thing.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page