A shocked Edinburgh footballer has told how a referee made 'offensive' comments questioning his mental health during a game.
Alan Murray, 29, was playing for Oxgangs Trinity at the home of Livingston FC Community Club when he said he was asked an inappropriate question by the official.
Edinburgh Live understands the Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association is investigating the incident.
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The mortgage advisor from Barnton questioned a tackle he believed to be a foul when the referee allegedly said: "What is wrong with you? Followed by "Do you have a mental health illness?"
Speaking to Edinburgh Live Alan said: "I had a game for Oxgangs Trinity on Sunday who are not a very good side but it’s just a group of friends who play together, they lose pretty heavily most weeks but there’s never any complaints about referees.
"During the game, I was asking the ref standard questions; 'Why is that not a foul etc?' not swearing or anything at him and he said in the middle of the game 'Is there something wrong with you?' and then added, 'Do you have a mental illness?'
"I’ve played football for 25 years and never heard anything like it. Other people were appalled too. I’m actively speaking with my league secretary and Edinburgh and the district referee association who are looking to investigate I believe.
"I have fought my own battles with mental health in the past and have lost friends to suicide which is why I was so shocked when he said that. If it happened to someone else it could have been a different outcome completely.
"I have played football since I was five years old and I have never heard a referee speak to someone like that. It was in front of a whole pitch of people I couldn’t believe it."
Edinburgh Live has seen an email from the secretary that confirms the Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association (LEAFA) are now investigating and both the player and referee will be cited to the LEAFA Executive Committee.
The Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association, Edinburgh and District Referees Association, Livingston FC Community Club and Oxgangs Trinity have been approached for comment.
Oxgangs Trinity FC has publicly tweeted to address the incident and wrote: "Never wanted to publicly comment on referees however this one requires a response from every single player and manager of every team in the association.
"Bring us into disrepute if you want but this shouldn’t ever happen. Disgusting officiating"
While Livingston Community Football Club also addressed the alleged incident on Twitter and wrote: "Disappointed to hear of comments of this nature being made at our game this morning.
"Certainly not something we condone and hopefully something which will be investigated. All the best to Oxgangs Trinity moving forward as well."
A spokesperson for charity Men Matter Scotland said: "These comments even if they are thrown away can be very damaging.
"The stigma that having a ‘mental illness’ or ‘something wrong with you’ is wrong or something to be ashamed of is why so many boys and men keep these issues to themselves and don’t speak out or ask for help which leads to many problems and suicidal thoughts.
"We as a charity and hopefully as a society are trying to break this stigma but comments like that set it back, especially in a sport which is played a lot by males."
Mental health problems are common, affecting thousands of people in the UK. Despite this, there is still a strong stigma around mental health.
People with mental health problems can also experience discrimination in all aspects of their lives. This stigma and discrimination make many people’s problems worse. It can come from society, employers, the media, and even our friends and family.
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You may even experience internalised stigma, where you come to believe the negative messages or stereotypes about yourself. Stigma and discrimination can also make someone’s mental health problems worse and delay or stop them from getting help.
You can find support or advice for the issues raised in this article here or call Samaritans at any time on 116 123.
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