A DUBLIN SOCCER team that counted slain teenager Toyosi Shitta-bey in its ranks will ask the North Dublin Schoolboys League (NDSL) to send an official to all its games because of reoccurring racist abuse.
According to manager of Insaka Ireland FC James Igwilo, one of its players was racially abused by a member of the opposing side during an under-18 NDSL cup game last Sunday against Rathoath Harps.
Igwilo, a former professional footballer from Nigeria, told Metro Éireann that his team of mostly African-born players are regularly on the receiving end of racist remarks from the opposition, though “not in all games”.
The manager said feelings among his teenage players are running high in the wake of 15-year-old Shitta-bey’s killing.
Speaking of last weekend’s incident, Igwilo said: “One of our players tackled one of their players, and he hit him and said ‘fucking blacks’.”
Igwilo also alleged that a middle-aged Irishman hit an Insaka player and gardaí were called.
The Nigerian said Insaka will be raising the possibility of having a league official at all its games, and that the club is preparing a complaint on the alleged abuse encountered during last weekend’s match at Rathoath.
Ken McCue, Insaka’s secretary and a founding member of Sport Against Racism Ireland (Sari), said he had regularly witnessed and heard racist slurs of Insaka players, from references to “monkeys” and “niggers” to apparent jokes that an Insaka player would likely take “a banana kick”.
He said Insaka had not filed complaints over these incidents because it is dissatisfied with investigation protocols. According to McCue, club officials whose players have been abused can be discredited as non-independent witnesses.
He said this is why the club will be requesting a league official to attend Insaka matches.
A Garda spokesperson confirmed that gardaí were called to the game, but that “no complaints were made by any party”.
Metro Éireann understands that Insaka are awaiting further contact from gardaí, with a view to making a statement.
Rathoath Harps’ chairman Paul Harris said his club will be making a representation to the league on the allegation. He said it is “a strongly inclusive community club” with “an exemplary record”.
Speaking to Metro Éireann on Monday, NDSL secretary Tony Gaines said the league had not yet been aware of the alleged incident, but would take “serious action” on any proven case of racism.
“It wouldn’t be tolerated,” said Gaines. “We’ll stamp it out if we feel it’s happening.”
He added that, as part of the FAI’s intercultural work, the NDSL is hosting an anti-racism workshop on Monday 26 April at 8pm in Coolock’s Oscar Traynor Centre, with invitations sent to the league’s 81 clubs in various divisions.
