Albion Rovers have vowed to assist in bringing ‘any perpetrators to justice’ after Kelty Hearts striker Nathan Austin suffered alleged racist abuse at Cliftonhill.
Austin stated that he was called ‘a monkey’ by an individual in the home end during Kelty’s 3-0 victory on Saturday, in which he scored a hat-trick.
He tweeted: “A Perfect hat-trick tarnished by an Albion fan calling me a monkey but I guess that’s the world we live in enjoy your Saturday folks cos I will.”
The defiant message was accompanied by a picture of the match ball — his prize for notching a treble.
Kelty swiftly released a statement regarding the incident, reading: “We are aware of an incident of racist abuse during our match against Albion Rovers FC today [Saturday].
A Perfect hat-trick tarnished by an Albion fan calling me a monkey 🤦🏾♂️ but I guess that’s the world we live in 🤷🏾♂️ enjoy your Saturday folks cos I will 😎🤫 pic.twitter.com/mR22xjQHRt
— Fash 🇧🇧 (@Fash_Austin94) September 18, 2021
“It came from an individual in the home end terracing towards one of our players.
“An investigation is underway with our friends from Albion Rovers FC, who gave all at our club a fantastic welcome on our first visit to Cliftonhill.”
Condemnation
An Albion statement read: “We have been made aware of an incident during our Cinch SPFL League 2 match against Kelty Hearts.
“Albion Rovers fosters an inclusive area for all to take part in our beloved game without fear or prejudice.
“The Reigart stadium and wider Scottish football arena should be a safe place for all to enjoy the sport. We take seriously the allegations that have been made and condemn racism in all its forms.
“We will support the football authorities and law enforcement in bringing any perpetrators to justice.”
Kelty Hearts manager Kevin Thomson wrote: “Stand by ALL of my players and staff!! No place for it ever, needs to change.”
It is the second ugly incident of its type in the space of a week in Scottish football after Airdrie’s Rico Quitongo reported racist taunts from the Diamonds’ own fans during a fixture against Queen’s Park.
