Bards chief calls for action on false claims
STRATFORD Town’s chairman has warned that false accusations of racial abuse need to be stamped out in order that actual cases can be addressed.
Jed McCrory was speaking after the FA wrote to the club this week stating that no further action would be taken following an incident back in February when the Bards played promotion rivals AFC Telford United.
The match was held up after Telford defender Orrin Pendley claimed he heard racial comments from the crowd. The same player was also involved in similar incidents while playing for Hereford and Redditch United.
Following the game, Stratford Town issued a statement saying that the report from referee Neal Templey explained that he had heard no such comments and that, along with a series of statements from supporters and others near to where the incident was alleged to have happened, was were sent to the FA along with footage, complete with audio from the game.
In a letter sent to the club this week from the FA’s legal and governance division and seen by the Herald, an official explains that the report from the match official, video footage and observations from the club had been reviewed ‘in line with the FA’s charging policy on such matters’.
It added: “Following this review, the FA has decided it will be taking no further action in this instance.”
McCrory said: “It’s very important that the players that are discriminated against are protected alongside the clubs that have zero tolerance towards discrimination. If Stratford Town hadn’t had audio and visual CCTV it could have left us in a difficult situation with reputational damage.
“I took great offence to this incident at the time as everyone was shocked such an accusation was made from that end of the ground.
“After watching the video and audio evidence it was clear there was no such discrimination made towards anyone. The player that made the accusations has been involved in two other incidents.
“I am delighted the FA have come to the only decision possible in clearing any discrimination from Stratford Town fans as it’s too easy for people to make comments without accountability. I just wonder what the FA will now do towards the player.
“Accusations such as those made during the Telford game not only hurt the club’s reputation and that of our supporters, but it also hinders those with legitimate claims of all forms of discrimination which need to be stamped out.”
The Bards have announced that they will be throwing the doors open for their first pre-season game at the Arden Garages Stadium with Pershore Town on Tuesday 9th July with everyone admitted free.
McCrory added: “We wanted to thank the community and all the local businesses for supporting us last season so we have taken the decision to give free entry to this game so that they can see some of our new signings and young prospects who will be involved during the course of the game.”
The Bards will kick-off pre-season with a trip to Evesham United on Saturday 6th July and there will be a full list of friendlies in next week’s Herald.
