A Dumbarton footballer has called on the sport’s authorities to clamp down on racism after he and his twin brother were subjected to taunts and chants whilst playing.
Chris Jackson, 34, and brother Shane - who play for West of Scotland League side Irvine Victoria - say they have been targeted with sickening abuse twice in the last month while on the pitch.
The brothers, who are half Filipino, allege that they have been subject to vile slurs from the terraces – and an opponent – in games against Lanark United and Port Glasgow.
Irvine Vics have thanked Lanark for helping to eject a fan who shouted ‘black b*****d’ at Chris during a match on October 29.
But Port Glasgow say they will “robustly defend” a player and fans as they believe the brothers account of abuse at their ground is “false and without foundation.”
Chris, who played 66 games for the Vale of Leven across four seasons, said: “In the Lanark game there was an incident in the crowd after I made a tackle, and the management heard someone shout ‘black b*****d’ at me.
“I didn’t hear it because I was running back to my position.
“One of my coaches thought he heard that, but wasn’t sure, so he looked round at the fan and he said it again. Then it all kicked off.
“That incident was handled properly because the referee heard it as well. We got the fan escorted out, the Lanark committee members made sure of that, and the ref wasn’t going to resume the game unless he had left.
“It was handled perfectly and in the right way. But the following week against Port Glasgow was far worse.
“There was an incident with one of their players, who called me ‘an Oompa-Loompa - and started saying ‘I don’t understand a word you’re saying’ and stuff like that.
“Then it nearly kicked off with the fans because again someone shouted ‘black b*****d’.
“My twin brother Shane was up and down the wings, and he had monkey chants, people shouting ‘go back to the jungle’ and racist songs directed at him.”
Chris says he is disappointed by the attitude taken by Port Glasgow, who deny the incidents took place.
He continued: “I have nothing to gain from saying stuff like this, or making up lies. I’m 34-years-old, I don’t need or want this kind of attention.
“I’ve got three beautiful kids and a beautiful wife. I just want to go home and enjoy my weekend after football.
“But it’s happened too many times, and too often it’s swept under the rug. We need to start doing something about it.
“If I have to be the one who gets the publicity for it then of course I’ll do it. It’s just not right.
“That weekend it did impact me. I struggled to sleep.
“It was Bonfire Night, my wife and kids wanted to go out and see the display and I just couldn’t face it.
“It can affect people’s mental health massively. And that’s what I want to tackle before it’s too late for someone.
“People who give out racist abuse, I don’t know if they have a conscience, but they need to realise the impact it can have.”
Chris is now so concerned by the abuse he’s taken, he says it makes him think twice about inviting his three young children to games.
He continued: “I wanted to walk off, but I couldn’t because we didn’t know what the consequences would be for the club and for us as players.
“I don’t want a suspension or to put the club under scrutiny.
“I was talked into playing the game, getting three points and getting away which we did. But I don’t want to be playing football with those chants going on.
“I stay in Dumbarton, my kids are just across the water and could’ve come to watch. Usually they do. But thank God they didn’t that day.
“It’s cruel on the kids. The SFA and the WOSFL need to start doing something now, before someone really gets hurt by it.”
The Jackson twins grew up in Bolton, with Chris saying that the racist abuse they took as youngsters made him ashamed of his background – but that he’s now immensely proud of his heritage.
He said: “When I was younger I felt, and it’s hard to describe, maybe a bit ashamed? Because of all the racism I faced when I was younger.
“Now I’m proud to be Filipino. There are so many Filipinos in Britain now, and I love the fact I’m half Filipino, half English. I’m proud of my mum and how she’s brought us up.”
Although hopeful that action will be taken against the bigots, Chris added that he fears nothing will be done. He concluded: “Do I think it will get clamped down on in football?
“No. Do I think something will happen with my situation? I hope so.
“But it depends on the evidence the SFA has. If someone is heard shouting something on a tape then that’s enough for me, it doesn’t matter if you can’t pinpoint who said it. I don’t know how you tackle it. That’s up to the SFA.
“But I have a really bad feeling that nothing’s going to get done.
“It’s the 21st century. We should be doing more.”
In a statement, Port Glasgow Junior Football Club said: “We are aware of the allegations made against the club of alleged racist incidents taking place in our match at home to Irvine Victoria.
“The club welcomes and will fully support any investigation into these alleged incidents, however, we will robustly defend our player and fans as we believe these allegations to be false and without foundation.
“The club will make no further comment on this until these allegations have been investigated fully.”
The Jackson brothers’ side, Irvine Victoria, said: “We stand behind Chris and strongly condone any forms of racism and all forms of discrimination.
“After two weeks of racism allegations and incidents that have no place in football.
“We do thank Lanark United for their swift action on October 28.”
A spokesman for the SFA said: “The Compliance Officer is aware of the allegations on-field abuse. We are unable to provide comment on any ongoing disciplinary matters. Should a notice of complaint be raised then details would be posted to the disciplinary section of our website.”
