Archived News from November 2004
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PEOPLE SAY RACISM HAS GONE AWAY, BUT IT HASN`T
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'PEOPLE SAY RACISM HAS GONE AWAY, BUT IT HASN'T'
thisislincolnshire.co.uk, 24 November 2004 Pilgrims goalkeeper Nathan Abbey has described how he and team-mate Danny Thomas were subjected to monkey chants from Mansfield Town fans. The ex-Luton stopper said a small section of the Town end targeted the pair for abuse during the goalless League Two draw at York Street. The pair yesterday complained about the incident to the Pilgrims, who have now written a letter to the Nottinghamshire club to express their disappointment. A copy has also been sent to the Football Association and the Football League. Abbey (26) explained how the abuse began at the start of the second half of Saturday's clash. "I went towards the away end and knew I would get stick because I played for their rivals, Chesterfield," said Abbey. "There were a few fans swearing which I expected, and there was a bit of banter. "But all of a sudden, there was a small group behind me who started monkey chants. I just couldn't believe it. "I felt angry and disappointed they were doing it, especially after what happened in the England and Spain game. "It carried on throughout the half with coins being thrown. "After the game I spoke to Danny. He told me he heard monkey chants in the first half when he took corners. "We spoke about it and after a couple of days we decided to make an official complaint. "Ninety-five per cent of the Mansfield support were fantastic. "But there were some who thought it was clever to copy the Spanish fans. "Everyone will look and say 'oh they are jumping on the bandwagon', especially with Dwight Yorke getting abused at Blackburn on Sunday. "But why shouldn't we take a stand if it has happened? I shouldn't have to tolerate it. "People say racism has gone away, but I can say it hasn't. I find it sad, but it seems it is across the whole of society." Former Bournemouth winger Thomas, who joined the Pilgrims in March, was infuriated by the incident. "When Eric Cantona jumped into the crowd and kicked the Crystal Palace fan after he said something about his French heritage he got condemned," said the 23-year-old. "But my argument to that is, if players are supposed to set examples of themselves why shouldn't the fans? "When it happened to me, I stared at the minority as if to say: 'What are you doing?' "You wouldn't expect anybody else to turn up at your work and give you monkey chants because you were a different colour." Pilgrims chairman Jon Sotnick hoped the letter sent to Mansfield would make them aware of the minority intent on spoiling it for others. "It shouldn't be blown out of proportion because these incidents happen once every so often," said Sotnick. "That's no excuse and we will not stand for racism from our own fans let alone visitors." The Football Association said they would act once the complaint had been received. "When we receive the letter from Boston United, we will launch an investigation," confirmed an FA spokesman. "It's difficult to say what action might be taken. If the police get involved, their investigation would take precedence." Mansfield Town were unavailable for comment. Abbey blasts Stags fans' taunts Teamtalk.com Boston keeper Nathan Abbey has claimed he was racially abused by a section of the Mansfield support during the clubs' weekend clash at York Street. Abbey and team-mate Danny Thomas said they endured monkey chants from the away end during the 0-0 draw, as well as being pelted by coins. "I felt angry and disappointed they were doing it," Abbey said. "Especially after what happened in the England-Spain game. "People say racism has gone away, but I can say it hasn't. I find it sad, but it seems it is across the whole of society," he told the Lincolnshire Echo. The accusations follow racist chanting during the England Under-21 and senior internationals last week. ----- Evening Post STAGS FANS ACCUSED OF RACIST CHANTING Next Story | Previous Story | Back to list BY STEVIE RODEN 16:00 - 25 November 2004 A Section of Mansfield Town fans have been accused of making monkey chants towards two black Boston United players during last weekend's League Two game. Pilgrims' goalkeeper Nathan Abbey has described how he and team-mate Danny Thomas were subjected to the taunts during the 0-0 draw. Boston have now written a letter to Mansfield Town. A copy has also been sent to the FA and the Football League. Abbey, 26, said the abuse began at the start of the second half of the game. He said: "I went towards the away end and knew I would get stick because I played for their rivals, Chesterfield. "But all of a sudden, there was a small group behind me who started monkey chants. I just couldn"t believe it. "It carried on throughout the half with coins also being thrown. "Ninety-five per cent of the Mansfield support were fantastic. "But there were some who thought it was clever to copy the Spanish fans." Former Bournemouth winger Thomas, who joined the Pilgrims in March, was infuriated by the incident. "If players are supposed to set examples of themselves why shouldn"t the fans? "You wouldn"t expect anybody else to turn up at your work and give you monkey chants because you were a different colour." The FA said they would act once the complaint had been received. Stags chairman Keith Haslam said he had not yet received any official complaint. He said: "I am very disap pointed that their chairman did not contact me before going to the FA. "If we do receive a complaint we will look into it. We will not tolerate racism. Until I hear anything official I cannot comment." |
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