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FA Investigating "Shameful" Racist Abuse Aimed At Cowes Sports Player

(L) John McKie and (R) Callum Chase. Photo from Cowes Sport Facebook page.

The Football Association (FA) is to investigate reports of racial abuse aimed at a Cowes Sports player in their Wessex Premier League fixture over the weekend.

The incident is said to have happened during the Yachtsmen's match away at Fleet Town on Saturday (26).

It is alleged a "minority" of home fans directed abuse at Cowes defender Callum Chase.

The FA says it has received the match officials report, and will commence an investigation in due course. Fleet Town are also launching an internal investigation.

Cowes Sports has condemned the incident as "shameful". A club spokesperson said:

"In this well publicised time of BLACK LIVES MATTER, we as a club find it shameful that a player of COWES SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB first team should have been subjected to prolonged racial abuse by either word or actions from a minority of home supporters at Fleet Town Football Club during our away Sydenhams Football League(Wessex) Premier Division league match on Saturday September 26th.

"The Match Official from the said game has reported the incidents to the appropriate authorities who are now in the process of investigating further.

"As an Isle of Wight Club we have been very tolerant for many years as many players and supporters of mainland clubs have found it necessary to bait our players by calling them in-breds and now we are not prepared to allow one of our players to be victimised for the colour of his skin."


Callum Chase. Photo from Cowes Sport Facebook page.

Posting on Facebook, Callum - who signed for Cowes from Hamble Club - said:

"You guys know me, I’m all up for a laugh and a joke. But today was too far.

"I didn’t travel 2 1/2 hours from uni to play football and then to get racially abused by a bunch of fans."

A Fleet Town statement reads:

"We will be holding an internal investigation in regards to the allegations made against a small number of home fans. We would like to take this opportunity to remind all players, fans, and clubs that there is no place in football for racism.

"We at Fleet take great pride in our diverse squad and having been at the receiving end first hand we know how devastating such events like this can be. Any fans who are found guilty will receive a life ban from the club to highlight the severity and our stance on the matter. #KickitOut."

After posting on social media, Callum has received hundreds of messages of support. 

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