SFA race slur row goes to Holyrood

THE SFA has been reported to the Scottish Parliament for failing to punish a player alleged to have racially abused a black opponent during a match.

Whitehill Welfare player Wayne McIntosh was accused of making racist comments directed at Spartans defender Dan Gerrard during a match in August.

The city-based club reported the incident to the SFA who initially agreed there was a case to answer. But they later held a hearing without taking evidence from Mr Gerrard, who was out of the country at the time, or other Spartans players who witnessed the outburst.

Despite not hearing from those involved, they ruled there was not sufficient evidence to uphold the complaint and refused Spartans leave to appeal the decision.

But in a twist, it is Scottish football's governing body which now finds itself with questions to answer. Lothians MSP Margo MacDonald has tabled a motion at Holyrood criticising the SFA and its handling of the case.

The motion, lodged yesterday, states: "The Scottish Parliament condemns the SFA for its failure to honour the standards set by Uefa to combat racism in football by its inept and unfair dismissal of the charge of racism levelled against Wayne McIntosh of Whitehill Welfare FC during an East of Scotland league game."

While she has stopped short of calling for an investigation, she said she hoped it would shame the body into apologising to Spartans and Mr Gerrard, who is a manager at the Festival Theatre.

Ms MacDonald also said an overhaul of the SFA's disciplinary system may be needed. She added: "I would have thought the SFA would have the procedures in place to be able to deal with this. Maybe they need to look at getting better procedures in place."

And pointing to the SFA's high-profile stance in stamping out sectarianism in Scotland's footballing terraces, she said: "It is ironic, they are proud of their stance on bigotry and Uefa has applauded them. It seems they are good at blue and green, but not good at black and white."

The SFA would not be drawn on the case, saying it would prefer to talk with Ms MacDonald direct.

A spokesman said: "As with any member of parliament, if they wish to discuss it with us we are more than happy to speak to them and explain the background to the case. They have not done that yet."

And they said the reason Spartans were refused leave to appeal was because "the rules are quite clear in that only a person or body who has a decision imposed upon them can appeal and no decision was imposed on Spartans or the club's player".

The MSP's involvement has been welcomed by both the club and Mr Gerrard.

Mr Gerrard, 26, who is in his second season with Spartans, said: "I am glad she has come forward and is happy to do this.

"If this is what is takes to force them to take start taking action then that is good. However, it should never have gone to this level. If the SFA had proper procedures in place in the first place, which could deal with this competently, then there would have been no need for it to get to this."