The father of a 14 year old soccer player who was racially abused at a match in Donegal says he does not want fans who taunted his son banned.
Thierry’s older brother Noe who plays for the Ireland Under 19 team.
Castlebar Celtic player Thierry Baba, a brother of Ireland Under 19 captain Noe Baba, was allegedly called a “black bastard” and suffered monkey chants when he played at Swilly Park in Ramelton last Saturday.
His side faced Swilly Rovers Under 15 in a National Cup game.
Thierry was left fuming after a small section of the crowd at the game racially taunted him.
But in an amazing act of forgiveness, his father Pierre said the fans shouldn’t be banned but educated about racism.
Swilly Rovers have yet to comment on the incident which is being fully investigated by the Schoolboy Football Association of Ireland
Pierre told the Irish Daily Star
“This should be stamped out but banning people is not the answer. These people are ignorant so education is the only way of dealing with it.
“I do feel sorry for people who are so ignorant that they could do this to a child.
“I played football myself ad I know that things can be said between players during the game but I can’t understand abusing a child,” he said.
A full report on what happened during the game is expected to be given to the SFAI by match referee Joe McHugh.
The well-known and respected referee did momentarily stop the match and warned the section of fans to stop or he would abandon the game.
Pierre added that members of Castlebar FC have since called to his home to offer their support over the incident.
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