The police are investigating an incident where racial insults were allegedly hurled at a goalkeeper in the first weekend of Premier League fixtures last Saturday, The Malta Independent is informed.
Santa Lucia goalkeeper Julani Archibald was allegedly racially insulted by a supporter at the Tony Bezzina Stadium as his side faced Floriana FC on the opening day of the BOV Premier League season.
Replying to questions by The Malta Independent, the Malta Football Association confirmed that the police are investigating the incident.
“The Malta FA is currently assisting the Police to try and identify the perpetrator of the alleged incident on Saturday at the Tony Bezzina Stadium”, a spokesperson for the MFA told The Malta Independent.
Archibald was the subject of alleged racist abuse from the stands in what was his debut with Santa Lucia, as the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
“It’s sad in today’s world that fans are still being racist; [I] mean I’m proud of being black but there’s no room for racism in our game”, Archibald, who is from St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean, said on social media after the game.
On their part, Santa Lucia said that the racist abuse suffered by their goalkeeper would not be tolerated by the club.
“We refuse to acknowledge any attempt to defend, deflect or deny the abuse Juliani Archibald experienced last night. The club has officially informed Malta Football Association to take strong, effective and urgent action against those responsible for this appalling behaviour”, the club said.
They strongly condemned racism and said that they are totally committed to the elimination of all forms of discrimination.
“There is no place for it in our game or society as a whole. In sport, we must create an environment where hateful and discriminatory actions are unacceptable and solidly chastised”, the club said.
On their part, Floriana FC condemned and distanced itself from the abuse which was thrown at Archibald during the match.
“The Club will offer no protection to this unacceptable behaviour by one person who purchased online tickets to enter the Floriana stands”, the club said.
“Racist abuse goes against the values of the Club. In fact, all Floriana FC players and coaches are bound by contract to commit themselves against racism and other discriminatory acts in football. Under no circumstances, and irrespective of any match tension or any form of provocation, can such disgusting actions be tolerated”, it said.
The club said that it was officially disassociating itself from the incident and encouraged the relevant authorities to take actions permitted by law against the person responsible for the racist abuse suffered by Santa Lucia goalkeeper Julani Archibald.
The MFA itself made a public statement on Sunday saying that it had taken note of official reports filed and that it would take “appropriate disciplinary action” if the allegations are proven.
It is not clear what action would be taken against the supporter in question if the allegations are proven, but in similar cases abroad such charges usually lead to the offender being banned from football stadiums for a period of time.
Racist abuse is unfortunately not unheard of in Maltese football: just last year international women’s footballer Maya Lucia was the subject of racist abuse, as was international men’s footballer Paul Mbong.
Goalkeeper Rashed al-Tumi, who is Maltese and plies his trade in Italy, was also the subject of racist insults on social media some months back.