A CALL for a “shake-up” in the way league associations deal with incidents of racial abuse on the pitch has been made by a Wallyford football boss.

Rod Learmonth, coach/secretary at Wallyford Bluebell AFC, made the plea in the wake of a recent ruling by Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association (LEAFA) on an alleged racist incident during a match between Wallyford Bluebell and Westside AFC prior to the Covid-19 lockdown last year.

It involved Wallyford Bluebell centre-back Kamran Tufail, 25, known as Pinkie, from Musselburgh, who said LEAFA came to the conclusion that no ban or punishment would be imposed on the player, who denied calling him a racist term during the game.

Pinkie claimed that other players heard the “slurs” and were willing to put in statements as eyewitnesses.

He said: “We were massively let down as I wouldn’t expect anyone who has been racist to admit it in a hearing.

“If that’s all they need to do to get away with it then of course they’ll continue to do it.”

Pinkie was also allegedly racially abused at the end of June during a match against Clermiston Vale in the last 16 of the FN TeamWear Cup.

It is alleged that a player from the Edinburgh side made a racist comment towards him. The incident is being investigated further by LEAFA. Wallyford Bluebell withdrew from the tournament in support of Pinkie.

He added: “If a player can get away with any punishment by just denying it then we feel it’s pointless even carrying out their investigation.

“We felt that if we had any chance of a decision going our way in terms of a punishment being given towards someone who had been openly racist then this would be our chance due to the amount people are talking about this issue just now.

“We have been massively let down by LEAFA. This was their chance to stand up and make a point, and show everyone how strongly they feel against racism. Instead, they’ve ignored it.”

Mr Learmonth said: “The biggest frustration for the victims involved in these hate crimes is that, despite having witness statements, their version of events won’t be accepted. We’ve had two incidents now where we have had such witness statements but on both occasions our league has dismissed our complaints and chosen to accept the story of the accused.

“In my eyes, our association had an opportunity to be one of the first in Scotland to believe the words of the victim and issue a ban to those accused.

“One of the most recent high-profile cases was when Rangers player Glen Kamara was racially abused. This abuse was spoken at close range with no witnesses hearing, yet UEFA chose to believe the victim.

“There’s no doubt that those who find it acceptable to make racist comments are idiots. However, they aren’t stupid enough to admit to making these comments, as they now know that appears to be the only way they will face punishment.

‘Cowards’

“Everyone can make a mistake and, although I’m not condoning anyone’s actions, it would be a start if these cowards would admit to their mistakes and for once take the punishment it deserves.

“There needs to be a shake-up in the way league associations are dealing with these incidents. The fact there’s no action taken clearly indicates that they think the victim has fabricated their story. Why on earth they think anyone would consider doing that is beyond me.

“There’s an upcoming meeting soon with MSP Paul McLennan. He has asked to discuss the ongoing problem at length with the SFA, SAFA, Hearts/Hibs, and I’m sure LEAFA have been invited as well.

“This issue is not going away anytime soon. Three incidents in as many weeks says it all. Let’s be honest, it’s likely happening all the time but thankfully other teams now seem to be reporting it and calling out this idiotic behaviour. We all wait with interest to see how this progresses.”

David Ramage, acting association secretary of LEAFA, said: “Firstly it goes without saying that all forms of abuse will not be accepted and wherever our committees can identify instances they will, and have done for many years, deal with it as far as our disciplinary rules allow us to.

“Turning to the recent disciplinary hearing, the decision of the LEAFA executive committee was made after hearing evidence from all parties, including the accused, who also produced witness statements.

“It is very difficult for the committee to pass a decision based on probability and, when the only independent person on the park, the referee, does not hear the incident, it becomes even more difficult.”