ARTHURLIE Football Club has dismissed claims one of its players subjected a rival to racist abuse during a match at the weekend.
A probe is underway into the allegation by Cambuslang Rangers that a member of its team was verbally abused as the clubs met in a West Region Championship showdown at Dunterlie Park.
League bosses met last night to discuss the claims but the Barrhead club insists it is not guilty of any offence – and has stressed it would not tolerate racism in any form.
Arthurlie secretary Jim Hannigan told the Barrhead News: “We dispute this claim against one of our players but we will be launching a full investigation and calling a committee meeting.
“This is a serious allegation against the club and we will take it seriously.
“We abhor racism at Arthurlie and in Junior football and we wear ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ tops during our warm-ups.”
Mr Hannigan added: “There’s no place for racism in football or in Barrhead.”
The allegation that an unidentified Arthurlie player dished out racist abuse was made by Cambuslang Rangers on social media in the wake of Saturday’s dramatic 3-2 loss against the Barrhead outfit.
A statement published on Twitter by Cambuslang said: “Everyone at the club is extremely disappointed that in 2019 one of our players was subjected to racist abuse during our match against Arthurlie.
“Cambuslang Rangers FC has consistently had a firm stance against racism in any form and we believe it has no place in our game.
“One of our players was subjected to racial abuse on the pitch from an opposing player.”
The claims are now being investigated by the Scottish Junior Football Association (SJFA) and it is understood a committee meeting was held last night.
A spokesperson for the SJFA said: “There’s no place for racism or sectarianism in the West Region but we cannot comment on this particular case until we have made our full enquiry.”
Police Scotland confirmed it has received no report of racist abuse following Saturday’s match.
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