A football club is investigating allegations of racism after a match on Easter Monday.
Staff at Merthyr Town Football Club said they were “aware” of the claims and investigations “are ongoing” after Hungerford Town’s manager said one of his players was subjected to racist abuse by a section of the crowd at the non-league match in south Wales.
Danny Robinson said the alleged abuse by a section of the home supporters was “absolutely unforgivable”.
The Hungerford boss added: “I have to say that I blame myself because really, truthfully, should we have come out in the second half? I don’t think we should have done.
“I should have been a stronger character to say ‘No’. But the protocol is it goes over the tannoy first and then obviously if it happens again, we have the right to walk off.”
Robinson said the alleged behaviour had “marred a wonderful performance from Merthyr” who he described as a “top side”. Merthyr won the match 3-0.
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“As a community club, Merthyr Town FC strongly condemn the use of racist, homophobic or abusive language of any kind; at both home and away fixtures,” a club spokesperson said.
Merthyr Town added: “Such behaviour will simply not be tolerated, and appropriate action will be taken against any individual identified in using this kind of language; including a lifetime ban from the club, in addition to any legal proceedings that may be instigated.”
The club spokesperson said they were engaged with match officials and with Hungerford and were working “to ensure a suitable outcome is found as swiftly as possible”.
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Both teams play in the seventh tier of the football pyramid, six promotions away from the Premier League, the top division in England and Wales.
Merthyr are fifth in the Southern League Premier South, two points and two places above Hungerford, who are in seventh.
Sky News has contacted South Wales Police for comment.
