Quitongo sues Airdrieonians in racial discrimination case

Rico Quitongo claims he experienced racial harassment and victimisation at Airdrieonians

Rikko Kitongo information a racial discrimination lawsuit towards the previous Airdriunans and its supervisor.

It comes on the heels of an incident final September when the 22-year-old alleged he was subjected to racist abuse by a membership fan throughout a match towards Queens Park in Fairhill.

On the time, the League One membership seemed into the incident, however a month later stated after a “thorough investigation” they’d dropped the case on account of “inadequate proof”.

Nonetheless, Quitongo claims that he was subjected to racial harassment and abuse after the alleged incident and is now taking the membership to labor court docket and is backed by the Scottish Footballers Affiliation (PFA) in addition to the Equality and Human Rights Fee (EHRC).

Airdrieonians have been contacted for remark.

The defender, now in fellow Premier League membership Peterhead, wrote on social media on the time: “It should not be in soccer and I completely don’t need to be mistreated personally due to the colour of my pores and skin.

“I am for fan banter and so on, however I am not going to take it. I am proud to be black and proud to be who I’m.”

The date of the listening to has not been confirmed.

Margaret Grippon, an legal professional at Bridge Employment Attorneys representing Kitungu, stated: “Rico is deeply dedicated to pursuing this authorized case in an effort to make sure that no different footballer experiences his or her personal.

“He hopes to carry a few much-needed change, by exposing the hole between anti-racist rhetoric and the realities soccer gamers face each day who expertise racial abuse and discrimination.

“He’s very grateful to the Scottish Soccer Affiliation and the Equality and Human Rights Fee for his or her help.”

Rikko Kitungu alleged that he was racially abused by an Airdrieonians fan last September
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Rikko Kitungu alleged that he was racially abused by an Airdrieonians fan final September

Lynn Welch, Head of Authorized and Compliance on the European Fee on Human Rights in Scotland added: “Racism has no place in soccer, or in some other a part of our society.

“Because the regulator for equality in Nice Britain, the European Fee on Human Rights is happy to help this trigger by our Racial Discrimination Fund.

“Each enterprise proprietor should perceive his duties and what the implications are for not following the regulation.

“As employers, and as a part of their wider neighborhood, soccer golf equipment play an vital function in tackling discrimination.

“It begins with their obligation to guard their workers, together with gamers on the sector who’re nonetheless typically subjected to racist abuse.”

The Scottish Federation is investigating the allegations

The Scottish Soccer Affiliation has launched an investigation into allegations of racial discrimination made by Quitongo.

“We’re conscious that the case introduced by the Employment Tribunal has been introduced by the participant with the help of the Scottish Soccer Affiliation and the Equality and Human Rights Fee, and we’re awaiting the result of that court docket,” she stated in a press release.

“The Scottish Soccer Affiliation condemns all types of racist and discriminatory behaviour. Certainly, our imaginative and prescient for equality states that ‘everybody ought to have the chance to take part in soccer in any respect ranges, and nobody needs to be discriminated towards’.