So the Crawley player Howell alleges that he was subject to racial abuse on Tuesday night. I've said before that racism is not acceptable in any walk of life. You will also have probably read my post about the incident in which Howell engaged with the crowd - how I could hear what he said - but had not heard the alleged offensive remark. Is it a coincidence that this allegation comes so soon after McCammomgate ? and even more of a coincidence that it is a repeated allegation that was made against Hess in the fixture on Boxing Day - which Steve Evans withdrew ( & the police found no evidence ) The trouble with allegations is that if you throw enough mud some is bound to stick. I am adamant that I would have heard any racially offensive remark towards Howell because I was so close and heard his questions to the crowd. I do not regard him being likened to Ruud Gullit as racially offensive-the remark was obviously to do with hairstyles. I hope that Howell wasn't racially abused - but when people like Evans withdraw a similar complaint ( and don't forget the police found no evidence from what would have been a partisan crowd ) - it does not do any good to the credibility of genuine complaints.
http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/9604842.Howell_fears_racism_is_here_to_stay/? Please be responsible with your responses this is a serious allegation. You are accountable for your own comments.
I have read on a couple of other forums that this is indeed true. People who were sat very close to the incident (not saying you were't close alwaysright) claim that they clearly heard the 'older man' shout it twice. One person also claimed that the guy sat next to the shouter has reported him to the club. Shame that we will now all be tarnished with the same brush and not ideal with the Mccammon investigation ongoing, hopefully it has no effect on our black players staying as I feel for the vast majority of fans that colour has no bearing on the ability and likeability of a footballer.
G-m-A-Dog IF a racist remark was said ( and reported by another fan ) action must be taken by the Club. Proving the offence might be a problem - especially without help from the assistant referee - who told Howell he did not hear the 'comment', despite standing next to Howell at the time. With the noise that existed in the vicinity it might be difficult to find others who heard and willing to give testimony to secure any positive sanction. Whatever the outcome of this incident - unfortunately it will reflect poorly on the Club & or its' supporters. If the offence is proven we have racist fans (shame) - if it is not proven , then there will have been a certain level of indifference by ( at least )the assistant referee - Howell's comment about the linesman's inability to hear the alleged abuse could be construed as such. Apathy should not be allowed to prevail. ps - It wasn't me - I'm a long long way short of 70 !
I think this is a sad case, coming from one of our fans, he should be ashamed, why go to a football match and shout racist abuse at another player, this is wrong, you have to look at it in this way, lets say I doubt it would happen, but that player in the future could end up paying for Gillingham so why throw abuse at him, this is totally wrong, I hope they find the person who done this and he is punished appropriately, by that I mean life ban from any ground in the country and also I think he should be named and shamed to show how much of an idiot he actually is. All the players that play for any club should not be abused whether they are Black or White, this is completely wrong and needs to stop, this person must be a complete twat because racially abusing someone when our side is mixed with Black and White players makes it even worse and could unsettle them so people like him need to be stopped. This player was out there playing for his team just like the other 10 players on his team, so why target him, why because he is black should abuse be aimed at him.
