Ex-boss fined for shouting racist abuse at referee

A FORMER football club manager has been fined £300 for hurling racist abuse at a referee during a match.

William Creamer shouted the insult at Usman Javed during an amateur league game between his former team, Aberdeen Lads Club, and Highland Hotel.

Mr Javed was forced to stop the game to call the police after the incident at Balmedie's Beach Park on 3 May.

Creamer, 48, who stepped down as manager of the side last year, admitted making the remarks when he appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday.

He pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated offence of behaving in a disorderly manner, shouting a racist comment and breaching the peace.

Felicity Primrose, prosecuting, said Creamer had become frustrated in the second half, with about 20 minutes to go, and swore and made comments about the referee's ethnic origin.

Bob Anderson, defending, said Creamer, a self-employed fresh produce wholesaler, had been there to support his former club.

He said: "It was in the heat of the moment that he made the comment and immediately put his hand to his mouth and turned to others and said 'I can't believe I just said that'."

Sheriff James Tierney told Creamer: "You have already formed your own quite correct conclusion of what you said on that day. It clearly shouldn't have happened."

Speaking after the case, Creamer, from Portlethen, apologised for his behaviour.

He said: "I did wrong, and that's it. I held my hands up in court. Of course, I'm sorry.

"I would never ever have regarded myself as a racist at any point in my life. It was just something that happened in the heat of the moment.

"I didn't intend to cause him any offence. There's no room in any part of life for racism."