Letter: Central Park furore is ‘attempt to make an issue where none exists’

I REFER to the article in The Scotsman on 10 January, ‘Fans’ abuse of Fenlon is set to go unpunished’. This appears to be a case of your reporter attempting to make an issue where none really exists, and trying to make something out of a non-story.

It is totally incorrect that Pat Fenlon received “sustained personal abuse” during the match at Cowdenbeath and in particular that such alleged abuse was “centring on his nationality”.

At the conclusion of the game, Mr Fenlon did receive certain verbal criticism from some of the home supporters due largely to what was perceived as his delaying tactics towards the end of the match, particularly at the point of attempting to make substitutions. In one instance a substitution was suddenly halted and cancelled just as the new player was about to enter the field of play and in another instance when another substitution was hugely delayed due to the fact that the new player had managed somehow to put on a wrong jersey.

It is obvious that this verbal criticism is or was never a real issue as not one of Mr Fenlon, Fife Constabulary, the stewarding company nor any supporters have made any complaint.

What difference does it make, as stated in your article, that Mr Fenlon is a catholic who had played for the “staunchly protestant” Linfield?

Cowdenbeath Football Club has previously publicly stated that it does not condone and will not tolerate any form of racist or sectarian abuse or behaviour.

Logistically this was a very tricky match for our small club to stage, and depended largely on volunteers helping out. Thanks to the efforts of many persons involved the whole day and match proceeded very successfully (except for the result!) with no logistical difficulties and no crowd problems or misbehaviour.

After the match the club received much praise and thanks from the fans, press and television personnel for the success of the day and for the hospitality shown to one and all. However, your report chooses to ignore all of this and to try to make an issue where one did not exist.

Please give smaller football clubs some credit for all the efforts made by all concerned, and do not try to destroy all of this for the sake of some detrimental headline-seeking article.

JOHN G. LINTS

Vice chairman

Cowdenbeath FC

WHEN it happens to Patrice Evra it is racial abuse. When it occurs against Oldham’s Tom Adeyemi it is racial abuse. How does Hibs boss Pat Fenlon being “repeatedly subjected to aggressive abuse centring on his nationality” not earn the same accusation? It sounds like anti-Irish racism to me.

ANDREW PATRICK SHAW

Royston Mains Gardens

Edinburgh