Kettering 'can't hide' from racism problem at club after 'sickening abuse'

Kettering Town has stated it can no longer hide from the issue of racism following allegations that a visiting player was subjected to sickening abuse. During a Southern League Premier Division Central match at Latimer Park, Redditch United player Dan Sweeney said he was targeted by a Kettering supporter. Kettering won the fixture 2-1.

In a statement on the club's website, Kettering director of football Fabian Forde said the club could no longer hide behind the "comforting lie" that such abuse comes from a small minority. Forde described racism as a "poison" that extends beyond matchdays and criticized what he called "festering" racism on the club's fans forums. He argued that dismissing hate as a minority issue minimizes damage and can tarnish the club's reputation.

Yahoo Sports reports that this incident follows a report of alleged racial abuse by a match official at a Kettering fixture last season, as well as a previous instance of alleged racist abuse against a Redditch player at Latimer Park in 2017.

Brief written by urgent.news from BBC Sport, Yahoo Sports, BBC Sport Football — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.