FAI Investigate Alleged Racist Abuse Of Zayed

[brendy_éire]

FAI press release:


The Disciplinary Control Unit of the FAI has decided to take the following action as a result of an investigation into reports received regarding:



St Patricks Athletic FC v Derry City FC on 10 June 2011

Shamrock Rovers FC v Derry City FC on 13 June 2011



· St Patricks Athletic FC have been requested to attend a hearing regarding spectator conduct and alleged racist comments.

· Shamrock Rovers FC have been requested to attend a hearing regarding spectator conduct and alleged racist comments.

· Shamrock Rovers FC have been advised that one of their players has been requested to attend a hearing regarding alleged racist or offensive comments.



Derry City FC have been advised of the above and invited to attend the hearings. An independent committee will now be nominated to hear the matters at a date to be confirmed.



There will be no further comment from the FAI until after the committee has concluded its deliberations.

No date given for the hearings yet though.

[Spudulika]

I think we can be all proud when our little old league makes foreign language papers for any reason. I happned to find a copy of Sports Express on the train this morning (as you do) and I can't remember if it was yesterday's or not, however it was all about the banana incident in Samara. Following on from the train of logic, the report (on a side bar) carried a mention of the loss to Pats back in 2009, followed by a "racist event" against a Libyan player. It also mentioned other racist incidents in the recent past (around Europe) and something I didn't udnerstand from Brazil. You might have to go into the Russian version of the site to find it, use google translate as it's handy to gt a rough idea of it. I'm only looking at the online version now as it was 5.30am when I flicked over the piece today.

http://english.sport-express.ru/

[Red Star]

So a Shams player and supporters gave racist abuse? I'd say it will only be a fine for both clubs if found guilty for supporters giving him racist abuse and 5 games suspension for the player or will the fai take a more hardline approach? I'm hoping for point deduction myself.

[juan]

I don't care what they said as long as I can have a go at the Greeks!

[SkStu]

rumours abound that the FAI have completed their investigation and are delaying their decision until after Friday's game between the teams as they fear it will cause addtional trouble at the game.

[DannyInvincible]

Delaying making or announcing their decision?

[SkStu]

it doesnt really matter whether it is making or announcing he decision. Its a rumour. If it is/was tru, my money would be on announcing given the rationale behind the rumour.

[horton]

They may aswell just announce it now seeing as SR SC's are boycotting it so they'll be very few of them in Derry now anyway.

[Dodge]

Presumably the player involved will be there though

[DannyInvincible]

I was just wondering if conclusions could be drawn from a (rumoured) decision to hold back an announcement on already-existing findings (if we were to assume the rumour true, of course). Is there a certain decision that might potentially cause more trouble than another and what trouble was expected anyway?

[SwanVsDalton]

I was just wondering if conclusions could be drawn from a (rumoured) decision to hold back an announcement on already-existing findings (if we were to assume the rumour true, of course). Is there a certain decision that might potentially cause more trouble than another and what trouble was expected anyway?

http://www.olehickorypits.com/images/photos/Ray_Alan_Gill_stirring_sauce.jpg

Damn straight DI, this thread's been quiet way too long...

[SkStu]

I was just wondering if conclusions could be drawn from a (rumoured) decision to hold back an announcement on already-existing findings (if we were to assume the rumour true, of course). Is there a certain decision that might potentially cause more trouble than another and what trouble was expected anyway?

oh my god, you've gone and got me really hypothetically worried now... :(

[Aaron]

Presumably the player involved will be there though

Will be interesting to see if he's in the 18 man squad

[hoopy]

Remember now, if a Rovers player tells Zayed tomorrow to 'get up you diving c***' it's not racist!

[DannyInvincible]

Just so long as those censored letters aren't "oon". ;)

[Aaron]

Just on Radio Foyle Chris Turner is banned for 3 matches for Racist Comments

[outspoken]

3 matches? is that enough - what ye think?

[Aaron]

3 matches? is that enough - what ye think?

IMO it isnt, should have been 5 like Jason McGuinness. Though he will have to live with the shame now

[bluewhitearmy]

IMO it isnt, should have been 5 like Jason McGuinness. Though he will have to live with the shame now

Do you really think he will even care?

[Aaron]

Do you really think he will even care?

He may not, but at least everyone knows he's a racist

[osarusan]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0709/turnerc_zayede.html


Shamrock Rovers midfield Chris Turner has been banned for three matches after an investigation into comments made against Derry City's Eamon Zayed.

Turner has been sanctioned for 'offensive behaviour' and will miss the next three Hoops matches.

Rovers have been cleared of an allegation regarding their fans as according to the FAI's Independent Disciplinary Committee 'there was no corroborative evidence in relation to the complaint'.

'Offensive behaviour'. What does that mean? Either what was said (which nobody seems to know) is racist or it isn't. What exactly is 'offensive behaviour' and where is the punishment for it outlined?

St Patrick's Athletic have been sanctioned for racist comments made by a small number of their supporters.

They have been hit with a €200 fine. The Independent Committee commended the actions of St Patrick's Athletic management for dealing with the issue in a 'very proactive manner'.


What does 'offensive behaviour' mean? Whatever was said ( which nobody seems to be sure of) either is racist or it isn't. Does the FAI have a rule for 'offensive behaviour'?

EDIT: Rule 88
RULE 88. OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR
Any Participant who insults someone in any way, especially by using offensive gestures or language, may be sanctioned with a suspension and/or fine and/or a ban on performing any football related activity.

[DannyInvincible]

So, it appears SkStu's rumour was correct? If Turner was found guilty before the game, was it right to hold off his penalty over "trouble concerns" and actually allow him to play, never mind play against the club/player against whom he committed the offence.

[HulaHoop]

Just to clarify Turner was not found guilty of racism i.e the comment he made to Zayed was found to be offensive not racist.

SRFC fans found not guilty.
Pats fans found guilty of racist abuse.

[Hibs4Ever]

Just to clarify Turner was not found guilty of racism i.e the comment he made to Zayed was found to be offensive not racist..


Racist investigation, Turner has been found guilty. End of




SRFC fans found not guilty.
Pats fans found guilty of racist abuse.


SRFC not guilty because like the monkey chanting, the club refused to co-operate with FAI investigation.

ONE St Pats fan found guilty after coming forward to club the day after the match. Fine only 200 (and club commended by FAI) because of complete co-operation

[Boots9]

Can't believe Zayed actually got away with the biggest lie in Irish football

[horton]

Well if any one of the alleged things Turner said to him are true, the guys a bigot.

[HulaHoop]

Racist investigation, Turner has been found guilty. End of

No it isn't end of. No matter how much you want it to be true the fact remains the comment made by Turner to Zayed has been deemed offensive rather than racist. If it was deemed racist Turner would have been banned for 5 matches like McGuinness and the FAI would have used the "racist" rather than "offensive" in their statement.






SRFC not guilty because like the monkey chanting, the club refused to co-operate with FAI investigation.

ONE St Pats fan found guilty after coming forward to club the day after the match. Fine only 200 (and club commended by FAI) because of complete co-operation

Rovers co-operated with both investigations as we have nothing to hide.

[hoopy]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0709/turnerc_zayede.html



What does 'offensive behaviour' mean? Whatever was said ( which nobody seems to be sure of) either is racist or it isn't. Does the FAI have a rule for 'offensive behaviour'?

It means his comments WEREN'T racist. I'm sure it puts a lot of people out on this forum and elsewhere but there you go.

[HulaHoop]

Well if any one of the alleged things Turner said to him are true, the guys a bigot.

Like the people calling Turner an orange ******* in the Brandywell last night?

[Ezeikial]

Well if any one of the alleged things Turner said to him are true, the guys a bigot.

Nothing new here


Do you really think he will even care?

As long as he does not incur a fine or is docked any wages, it will hardly bother him too much.

Particularly if the Shamrock Rovers club and supporters rally round him as a "victim" of injustice

[CSFShels]

It means his comments WEREN'T racist. I'm sure it puts a lot of people out on this forum and elsewhere but there you go.
To be fair it means he said what he was accused of saying, the FAI certainly aren't the judge of what constitutes racism and what doesn't.

[hoopy]

To be fair it means he said what he was accused of saying, the FAI certainly aren't the judge of what constitutes racism and what doesn't.

Then why was he accused of 'racist abuse'?

[CSFShels]

Then why was he accused of 'racist abuse'?
Because he said something derogatory relating to another man's ethnicity. It appears to me that the FAI have taken the sidestep as a result of the fact that the n word wasn't used.

[chigg89]

Just to clarify Turner was not found guilty of racism i.e the comment he made to Zayed was found to be offensive not racist.

SRFC fans found not guilty.
Pats fans found guilty of racist abuse.

Ah well then that makes everything ok, doesn't it!Suppose Rovers are still the model club (my ass!) and and everybody will live happily ever after in Tallaght!!

[HulaHoop]

Further evidence that Turner is not guilty of racism:

He has been sanctioned to a three game ban under FAI rule 88 which is


RULE 88. OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR
Any Participant who insults someone in any way, especially by using offensive gestures or language, may
be sanctioned with a suspension and/or fine and/or a ban on performing any football related activity.

Had he been guilty of racism he would have been sanctioned under FAI rule 89 that McGuinness was and carries a five match ban.


RULE 89. RACISM
1. Any Participant, who publicly disparages, discriminates against or denigrates someone in a derogatory
manner on account of race, colour, language, religion or ethnic origin, or perpetrates any other racist and/or
contemptuous act, shall be subject to disciplinary sanction. The relevant disciplinary body shall consider
and have the power to impose a suspension, fine and/or other sanction as deemed appropriate. In the case
of individuals, the minimum suspension shall be for a period of five matches.

[Derry]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha i'm sore laughing.

The only thing wrong with the FAI punishment was he should have got a 5 match ban. McGuinness's ban was for 5 matches and he owned up to it, which now shows that if you hide behind your racist comments and try to wriggle your way out of it you'll be better off. As for Turner being called an OB last night, lies lies lies, it never happened, but he was roundly booed for being the obvious racist that he is. If your club had any balls they would extend the ban and fine him, but last week rather than address the racism inherent in your club, your supporters will try to make another smokescreen. However the truth is now out there for all the world to see, and your denial brings nothing but more shame on your club and your supporters.

Also what a great win last. Have any of you seen better saves in all your life, as Gerrard Doherty showed without doubt who is the best goalkeeper in the league. The passion shown by a team of locals against the 'big club' was sight to behold. We may not win the league but we will show that the young local talent will only get to play when teams like the 'big club' stop paying big money to over sized heads.

[osarusan]

Because he said something derogatory relating to another man's ethnicity.

We still don't know what he said though,do we? I've seen 'Gaddafi' and 'shoebomber' mentioned on here, but is it actually known what was said?

Did Turner admit saying something but argue that it wasn't racist? Or did he say that he had made no comment at all?

[SwanVsDalton]

We still don't know what he said though,do we? I've seen 'Gaddafi' and 'shoebomber' mentioned on here, but is it actually known what was said?

Did Turner admit saying something but argue that it wasn't racist? Or did he say that he had made no comment at all?

Nope. We don't know anything for sure except the FAI found Turner guilty of saying something serious enough to warrant a three match ban. But sure Zayed's a liar, his sister's a mouth and Delaney's a secret Candystripe so what do you expect?

[CSFShels]

We still don't know what he said though,do we? I've seen 'Gaddafi' and 'shoebomber' mentioned on here, but is it actually known what was said?

Did Turner admit saying something but argue that it wasn't racist? Or did he say that he had made no comment at all?
No, we don't know what was said, but look at the series of events like. Player gets accused of making racist comment, Shamrock Rovers and Shamrock Rovers fans up in arms claiming this didn't happen, none of the above claiming that an offensive comment was made but wasn't racist. It doesn't take a very intelligent mind to come up with the obvious fact that he has come out and called him something like 'Gaddafi' and the FAI have decided to sidestep calling it outright racism and take it as it is.

The fact that he has been found guilty in this situation speaks absolute volumes. If there was no racist intent in what Chris Turner said you can bet your life that the FAI would have steered miles away from dishing out a punishment.

[osarusan]

I think it's entirely possible that Zayed felt the manner in which he'd been insulted was racist (and a complaint was made accordingly), but the FAI decided that while it was offensive, it was not actually racist.

[CSFShels]

I think it's entirely possible that Zayed felt the manner in which he'd been insulted was racist (and a complaint was made accordingly), but the FAI decided that while it was offensive, it was not actually racist.
If that was the case, they definitely wouldn't have given a 3 match ban. You don't get a 3 match ban for calling someone a ****. It is clear that there is ambiguity within the FAI on whether the term constitutes racial hatred to an extent that one could be punished, of that I have no doubt. But the term used was obviously of ethnic nature. There is no doubt about that.

[Réiteoir]

Looks like the crap slideshow and the promise of free drink worked on the FAI then...

[osarusan]

You don't get a 3 match ban for calling someone a ****.

It's all kind of pointless talking about this without knowing what the comments were, but the FAI have a rule regarding offensive behaviour. Now, that rule is ignored by referees, players and managers alike probably a dozen time a game. But in this case, an investigation was launched into racist comments, and the FAI, having investigated, concluded that the comments (whatever they were) were offensive but not racist. Seeing as how they have a rule for offensive comments, they could hardly decide not to punish him.

That said, I wonder if a player dived to try and get a penalty, and was told to 'get up you f***ing w**ker' by an opponent, would the FAI pay any attention to a complaint over 'offensive behaviour'.

I agree with you that normally players don't get banned for insulting comments, but in this case, because of the investigation, the FAI may have felt that had no choice but to issue a punishment.

[CSFShels]

It's all kind of pointless talking about this without knowing what the comments were, but the FAI have a rule regarding offensive behaviour. Now, that rule is ignored by referees, players and managers alike probably a dozen time a game. But in this case, an investigation was launched into racist comments, and the FAI, having investigated, concluded that the comments (whatever they were) were offensive but not racist. Seeing as how they have a rule for offensive comments, they could hardly decide not to punish him.

That said, I wonder if a player dived to try and get a penalty, and was told to 'get up you f***ing w**ker' by an opponent, would the FAI pay any attention to a complaint over 'offensive behaviour'.

I agree with you that normally players don't get banned for insulting comments, but in this case, because of the investigation, the FAI may have felt that had no choice but to issue a punishment.
Maybe, although I would say very unlikely. The FAI/PFAI/Zayed/Shamrock Rovers should really come out and clarify what has gone on here. This level of ambiguity should not exist for what was such a serious accusation.

[SwanVsDalton]

It's all kind of pointless talking about this without knowing what the comments were, but the FAI have a rule regarding offensive behaviour. Now, that rule is ignored by referees, players and managers alike probably a dozen time a game. But in this case, an investigation was launched into racist comments, and the FAI, having investigated, concluded that the comments (whatever they were) were offensive but not racist. Seeing as how they have a rule for offensive comments, they could hardly decide not to punish him.

That said, I wonder if a player dived to try and get a penalty, and was told to 'get up you f***ing w**ker' by an opponent, would the FAI pay any attention to a complaint over 'offensive behaviour'.

I agree with you that normally players don't get banned for insulting comments, but in this case, because of the investigation, the FAI may have felt that had no choice but to issue a punishment.

I'd be highly surprised if the FAI issued any punishment for that comment, regardless of the investigation. They'd open themselves us to all sorts of claims and double standards.

[Nesta99]

In all likelyhood comments made by Turner were meant with rascist undertones. Proving it is problematic due to subjectivity of the matter - I believe that Zayed was/is known as the Colonel due to his Libyan connection, Wasnt an issue until unrest in Libya i would say. Shams fans can claim all they like that Turner has been vindicated but he was given a lesser punishment on the technicality of ambiguity, not that he was not guilty of the intent to insult Zayed based on his ethnicity! Turner is not a pleasant individual, his off field behaviour while at Dundalk was pure scumbaggery, similar opinions in Sligo, never mind the starring role in footballing 'movie'. Therefore on the balance ofthings well... Actually he suits Shams perfectly, and it is not surprising how vehemently Shams fans are holding up the 'told ye so' card. Pats on the other hand moved swiftly to condemn behaviour of a section of their support.Their positive and proactive actions are reflected in the token fine of €200.

[hoopy]

For what it's worth I think if Turner had've been found guilty of racism he should've got a 10 match ban. But he wasn't. People had already drawn their own conclusions before this was dealt with anyhow.

[horton]

Like the people calling Turner an orange ******* in the Brandywell last night?

Where you at the match or did you hear this on tv? I never heard it! Your forums going nuts threatening to sue Derry for false racism charges:confused:

[born2bwild]

Looks like the crap slideshow and the promise of free drink worked on the FAI then...
Wonder how they'll react when Chris Turner jumps out of the box wearing that Gestapo uniform?

[SkStu]

FFS Rovers fans, forgetting about whatever was said or not said for a second, instead of acting put out by all this and coming across as vindicated and victimised, you need to ask yourselves the tough questions like what is the value of having a complete scuzzball like Chris Turner (whose moral fibre is non-existent) at your club and being banned for 3 important games of the season.

Time to get real lads and start asking the right questions. Who is going to step up within your ranks and be that person?