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Tuesday, 8th December 2009 Change Date

Footballer fined £850 for racial abuse

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Published Date: 01 August 2008
A JUNIOR footballer who racially abused an opponent twice during two different matches has been fined £850.
Wayne McIntosh, 23, from Lochend Avenue, called Spartans defender Daniel Gerrard a "black b******" on both occasions.

McIntosh faced Spartans twice in a matter of months, playing for two different sides. After the second insult, in an East Scotlan
d Premier Division match while playing for Whitehill Welfare, Mr Gerrard, 36, made a complaint.

Spartans, one of the country's top junior sides, backed their player and complained to the Scottish Football Association, but the SFA threw out the case at tribunal claiming there was not enough evidence.

The matter resurfaced after it was raised by Independent Lothians MSP Margo McDonald in the Scottish Parliament, triggering a police investigation.

Yesterday at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, McIntosh was found guilty of racial abuse by Sheriff Derrick McIntyre.

Spartans chairman Craig Graham said afterwards: "The club are delighted it's all over and we are ready to move on to the next season and look forward to people concentrating on the football again."

Ms McDonald welcomed the verdict and said the SFA must now speak to McIntosh about the abuse.

The SFA said there was insufficient evidence to uphold the complaint at the time and that they were happy with their decision.

McIntosh's lawyer, Steven Mannifield, said his client did not want to make any comment.





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1

THE BPRENTICE,

01/08/2008 12:22:24
...makes "Whitehill Welfare" sound like a branch of the KKK...I'll bet there'll be quite a few people out there that'll think twice before they use THAT phrase - if they dare.
2

Alasdair MacWhirter,

Thinking about lunch 01/08/2008 12:26:34
I don't know what the standard of proof the SFA require to discipline errant players but suspect it is less than that required in criminal matters, consequently its rather difficult to understand their stance - "there was insufficient evidence to uphold the complaint at the time and that they were happy with their decision."
If there was "insufficient evidence at the time", how come there was enough yesterday?
Of course they are 'happy with the decision' - it means their work has been done for them by the courts, at public expense. Will they now pursue the matter?
It sounds as if they are not prepared to investigate racist abuse as its too touchy a subject for them and just do a body swerve - let someone else sort it out.
3

alex paterson,

edinburgh 01/08/2008 12:45:21
Wayne you are just a bit of trash,and probably a rubbish footballer,you should be thrown out of football with that attitude.
4

Wull The Champ,

Sunny Leith 01/08/2008 12:46:27
Fair enough about the fine, but can't help thinking it's a bit on the hefty side when you consider you'd be lucky to get half that for GBH, murder etc.
5

JT,

01/08/2008 12:59:30
Well we all know what the SFA really stands for! This is not this first time they have stood by and done nothing about issues that cloud the game, no matter what level, just ask Ross County and Dundee United about their views about the Old Firm run organisation.
6

Unimpressed one,

01/08/2008 13:05:41
Why print the word "black" since he was obviously fined for this 'abusive' term not b*****d as has been censored. The nutty PC world rules.
7

SNP Sleeze Reporter,

01/08/2008 13:10:38
I am assuming that the SFA will now look at their procedures and kick him out of playing for a period of time. I suggest 5 years
8

Fifi la Bonbon,

01/08/2008 13:19:06
The fact that the Evening News is not reporting that the club has kicked this racist thug out of the team, or that his team mates have refused to play alongside him, speaks volumes.

He is a racist, and the club and other players should have nothing to do with him. They clearly don't think it's that big an issue, though.

Now what I want to know is whether the club gets rates relief. If it does, the Council should withdraw it right away, and for as long as it condones racism by its actions or inaction.
9

Fifi la Bonbon,

01/08/2008 13:24:03
I also note from their website that Victor Paris bathrooms are their sponsors. I'd be interested to know whether they have a point of view on being associated with racists.
10

WJR,

Leith 01/08/2008 13:44:16
It's interesting the type of comments that appear in the News threads compared with the Sports ones.

Before people pile in with comments on WW bear in mind the following. There were two separate offences, one while Wayne played fpr Lothian Thistle, one at WW. Wayne actually now plays for Arniston (who are a Junior team. Spartans are not they are Senior non league). Are Lothian Thistle and Arniston racist clubs too?

There are good people at WW and not everyone should be tarred with the personal stupidity of one individual.

Wayne is actually a very good footballer and at 23 a lot of people hope that he learns soemthing from these two incidents. Actually there were signs last season that his disciplinary record was improving - although in fairness it could only really go one way.

The SFA are arrogant and incompetent beyond belief and the SFA employees who have made public comment on this are not fit to run a bath far less the supposed governing body.

Time for everyone to move on.
11

The_Man,

01/08/2008 13:46:45
This clown now plays for Arniston Rangers in the juniors. They obviously don't have a problem signing players like this. Whitehill are well rid....
12

Kendo Nagasaki,

01/08/2008 13:56:12
I've actually met Dan and he's a top guy.

That Wayne McIntosh shouldn't be allowed to play again
13

Mallory,

Edinburgh 01/08/2008 14:40:31
Well at least he didn't use the N word.

Maybe the SFA could do something about the dreadful habit of players spitting during matches. There is plenty of evidence readily available on TV if they bothere to look.
14

Shopping anyone?,

01/08/2008 17:24:30
Well said WJR. Too many people above have slung unfair accusations at Whitehill. Their ex-player also sat on the sidelines for the whole first half of last season as he couldn't find appropriate behaviour to match his talent and as a result incurred a long suspension for an appalling indiscretion in a match in April 2007 separate to the racist accusations now proved (shame on you SFA). It is believed that he chose to take a much bigger signing on fee from Arniston than that being offered by Whitehill in anticipation of a fine at his forthcoming court case. Whitehill are well rid of him.
15

jamb04ever,

01/08/2008 19:03:51
Why give him a ban of 5yrs, his career never got off the ground so basically he was a never was been.......loser!!!
16

WJR,

Leith 01/08/2008 22:27:40
#16 Waspy - fine was for breach of criminal law. As a Junior League player now he is not subject to further SFA sanction but the SFA are a shower o clowns in any case.

 

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