Reading Football Club has released a statement which has strongly condemned the racist abuse which was to Bristol Rovers player Shaq Forde following Saturday’s game.
Forde, who was sent off in Bristol’s 1-0 defeat at the Select Car Leasing Stadium,.was subject to racist abuse sent to him online after the match.
Reading Football Club’s statement reads: “Reading Football Club strongly condemns the racist abuse sent to Bristol Rovers player Shaq Forde in the aftermath of Saturday’s Sky Bet League One match between the two clubs.
The club has a zero tolerance policy towards all forms of discrimination, and we will work alongside Saturday’s visitors to ensure the perpetrator is identified and evidence is provided to the relevant authorities.
Finally, Reading Football Club would like to pass our support onto Shaq. No individual, whether on or off the pitch, should be subjected to such abuse. We stand by you Shaq.”
Bristol Rovers also issued a statement which read: “”Shaq and several other Bristol Rovers players reported the abuse to us and we, in turn, will assist the police and Meta in their respective investigations,.
“Shaq is not the only Bristol Rovers player to receive racial abuse, with an incident under investigation only last week.
“Even more sickening is that some of these messages come from individuals claiming to be Bristol Rovers supporters. Each time, the club has sought to act in the appropriate manner.
“Our supporters – our real supporters – are sick and tired of being in any way associated with those ‘fans’ who comfortably send such abhorrent messages.
“To the person who sent Shaq this racist message, and to any person who claims to be a Gashead and engages in similarly deplorable behaviour, we simply say this: You are not a Bristol Rovers fan. You are not welcome at The Memorial Stadium. We do not want your support.”
