FA issue statement to say some Burnley fans behaviour unacceptable on Saturday

[yorkyclaret]

Wonder why the FA made no statement about the abuse some of their fans were shouting at Joey Barton 2 years ago?

[Colburn_Claret]

Surely we have posters in the JHL who can tell us if that is true or not?

Mind you, we have posters on here telling us that Brighton fans sang "town full of p***s" so maybe honesty and self awareness isn't our strongpoint in this?

Just to avoid the usual abuse, I don't think the whole town is racist, but equally it would be daft not to think that some still are.

True, but it would be just as odd to think that the town of Brighton doesn't have any racists, or any other town for that matter.
I think Hughton, in defending his player, which he is right to do, has unwittingly opened the club up to allegations of being racist. Which it certainly isn't.
If Bong hadn't made a mess of that first touch on the ball, then the booing probably wouldn't have gone on as long. I think some fans thought, we've caught one here, so persisted in the hope of him messing up again.
Whatever the reasons, it certainly wasn't racially motivated.

[safesurfer]

I have no problem whatsoever with Mr Bong reporting the incident if he "thought" he heard racist remarks. Indeed I applaud him for doing so.
However after a long and full investigation, in which 2 independent lip reading experts stated they could not identify any racist lanquage, the FA tribunal gave their findings.

However Mr Bong did not accept their findings and that same evening tweeted that he was bitterly disappointed with the findings and re-iterated he had heard what he considered racist language . He also said "Mr Rodrigues has since aplogised , so that is a step in the right direction" That statement as it was written implied that JRod had apologised for racist comments.

In response JRod then issued a statement to say that he had apologised for his gesture ( bad breath ) and not for any racist remark as there was nothing to apologize for. Mr Bong then issued a further statement still not letting the matter drop.

The lip-reading experts couldn't work out what JRod was saying because he was covering his mouth. Why would he want to hide what he was saying if it was just an innocous comment?

The claim was 'not proven'. That is not the same as saying he is innocent of the accusation - just that there was not enough evidence to prove it.

I don't see what Bong had to gain by making up the claim. By booing him It makes it less likely that other players suffering racist abuse will come forward. Such an unnecessary and stupid thing to do as it taints Burnley FC.

[KRBFC]

So let's suppose it was Duffy who had raised a complaint against JR, let's say for the sake of it, an alleged homophobic comment. Then let's imagine that "monkey noises" were made every time Duffy touched the ball. How would that all pan out in your world ? False race card accusations make genuine ones harder to justify, maybe that's why Bong had a bit of criticism.

Bong's accusation wasn't false, did you not read the statement by the FA?
Why would the crowd make monkey noises aimed at a white player who had received homophobic abuse? Makes little sense.

Like I said earlier, all of this has nothing to do with the colour of Bong's skin, he wasn't booed because of his skin colour. He was booed for speaking out and filing a legitimate complaint about racism in football, he felt he was racially abused by an opposition player, the reaction from the Burnley crowd is more likely to cause some players to remain silent and not file complaints in the future because they will see the treatment of Bong since he filed a complaint.

[IanMcL]

What do you think the word "probably" means?

Without evidence if any kind, it means it is both unsubstantiated and a n unnecessary smear on Burnley fans.

[Rammy1968]

How do you know Bong's accusation wasn't false? It wasn't proven which means one of the two were not telling the whole truth, which means he could have made a false accusation.................It's time people grew up and got on with life instead of being so upset about nothing.......

[vinrogue]

There are many examples of which these are just a couple, Ashley Young a black player given "dogs abuse" by Crystal Palace fans, FA reaction nothing, Victor Moses a black player given "dogs abuse" by Swansea fans, FA reaction nothing, Raheem Sterling a black player given "dogs abuse" by Liverpool fans FA reaction nothing, maybe Kick it Out should be addressing these issues or is it just selective? I am sure there are plenty more examples of players being booed by opposition fans and if booing a player is deemed unacceptable by the FA then God help us all, as we turn into quiet Happy Clappers.

[martin_p]

Bong's accusation wasn't false, did you not read the statement by the FA?
Why would the crowd make monkey noises aimed at a white player who had received homophobic abuse? Makes little sense.

Like I said earlier, all of this has nothing to do with the colour of Bong's skin, he wasn't booed because of his skin colour. He was booed for speaking out and filing a legitimate complaint about racism in football, he felt he was racially abused by an opposition player, the reaction from the Burnley crowd is more likely to cause some players to remain silent and not file complaints in the future because they will see the treatment of Bong since he filed a complaint.

If a footballer isn’t going to do something because he might get booed then I’d suggest he’s in the wrong job!

[Heathclaret]

I thought he was covering his mouth and nose because Bong suffers from halitosis, not to stop lip reading experts from working out what he was saying. I’m amazed that people assume all white people are guilty of racist abuse and all people of colour are recipients of racist abuse. The whole race issue is becoming a very easy veil for some to hide behind.

As for the the Brighton manager being an honourable man, so was Brutus, and we all know what he did. Houghton and his team are not safe yet, what a way to get the pressure of you and your team after not winning what, on paper was their most winnable match left. Deflecting attention from himself in the worst way, In my opinion.

The booing was pantomime, nothing more. I remember going to Turf Moor as a child in the 70s, what players suffered then was racial abuse. This is not.

[Rileybobs]

There are many examples of which these are just a couple, Ashley Young a black player given "dogs abuse" by Crystal Palace fans, FA reaction nothing, Victor Moses a black player given "dogs abuse" by Swansea fans, FA reaction nothing, Raheem Sterling a black player given "dogs abuse" by Liverpool fans FA reaction nothing, maybe Kick it Out should be addressing these issues or is it just selective? I am sure there are plenty more examples of players being booed by opposition fans and if booing a player is deemed unacceptable by the FA then God help us all, as we turn into quiet Happy Clappers.

As ridiculous as the FA’s statement is, surely you can see that the Burnley fans who booed aren’t being criticised because Bong is black.

[Culmclaret]

The FA said that the behaviour of some Burnley was ‘unacceptable’. That means that they are not able to accept it: so what exactly do they plan to do? Are they suggesting a criminal offence has been committed? If so they should report it to the police. If not, in what way was it ‘unacceptable’? It would have been much more precise use of language to say that they do not approve and they would rather that some fans had not booed but they can’t do anything about it. In fact, they have to ‘accept’ it whether they like it or not

[MACCA]

The lip-reading experts couldn't work out what JRod was saying because he was covering his mouth. Why would he want to hide what he was saying if it was just an innocous comment?

Mr Dyche does it all the time when talking to one of his backroom staff.

Do you think he is saying, shall we put x player on to mark that black smelly guy...

Nope.

They cover their mouths because there's a thousand and one cameras watching their every move. They are role models, and swearing live on camera doesn't look good. Some of them are also fathers.

Also lip reading experts can't be 100% correct all the time. Imagine getting labelled a racist/sexist/homophobic for genuinely say a similar sounding word because a lip reader stated it looked like a racist/sexist/homophobic slur.

Cover all bases I say, there are people out there willing to wreck lives/careers just to sell stories.

I'd wear a morf suit if I was more famous.

[Shore claret]

I hope Coyle or Dunn don't come back as managers or we are in serious trouble, what a complete non event of a story.
The guy was booed because he made a personal attack against a lad that comes from the same town as the team he was playing against, nothing to do with the colour of his skin.
what are the FA going to do? what can they do? they can stop fans booing opposition players.

[dsr]

The lip-reading experts couldn't work out what JRod was saying because he was covering his mouth. Why would he want to hide what he was saying if it was just an innocous comment?

Can you not believe it even vaguely plausible that the reason he was holding his nose (and therefore covering his mouth) was because he was illustrating the playground insult "you stink" with a playground gesture?

[UpTheBeehole]

dsr really is a sick individual.

Bringing the subject of rape (yet again) into a completely irrelevant scenario.

What is the fascination with rape dsr?

[bob-the-scutter]

Thats what makes it even more bizarre the reaction on here. No one on here thinks he did either. So why boo him?

I think you`ll find a good few who do, I for one think it`s rubbish and lies from day one.

[Ashingtonclaret46]

I don't know what he's trying to achieve, I don't believe he should just be forced into silence if he feels he's been racially abused. If a women is raped but the courts don't have the evidence to prosecute the offender, should she just shut up and offer an olive branch to the rapist?

UpTheBeehole --I think that you should check your facts because it was KRBFC who brought the subject of rape into this discussion and I told him my views on that at the time:-

"That being the case, why has he not taken out a civil prosecution against JR if he really believes he has evidence that he was racially abused --in this day and age he surely would be onto a winner and he has the backing of his local press and lots of Brighton fans who could all turn up at court to back him up. The FA was just an inquiry conducted within the jurisdiction of football's ruling authority, so why does he not take the next step if he is 100% sure that the FA finding was wrong.
As far as rape is concerned --that is another question and not what we are talking about, however, llike any pseudo-politician you introduce it to deflect attention from the matter in hand."

[UpTheBeehole]

I think you`ll find a good few who do, I for one think it`s rubbish and lies from day one.

The FA said it was "completely satisfied" 29-year-old Bong's complaint was "made in absolute good faith" and "there has been no suggestion that this was a malicious or fabricated complaint".

[Lancasterclaret]

I think you`ll find a good few who do, I for one think it`s rubbish and lies from day one.

Fair enough, but that puts you on exactly the same level as the Brighton fans who have all decided that jay is a racist.

As has been said numerous times on here, the only person who knows is Jay, and then Bong. Nobody else has anymore info that that.

I've chosen to believe that Jay isn't being racist and that Bong didn't make a malicious claim , as have loads of other people and the FA. If everyone thought this, then this story disappears.

[jtv]

The FA said it was "completely satisfied" 29-year-old Bong's complaint was "made in absolute good faith" and "there has been no suggestion that this was a malicious or fabricated complaint"

Is this the same FA that is now making a mountain out of a molehill? How can the FA be 100% sure that Bong was booed because he reported racism? Have they considered the possibility, as explained several times over on here, that Bong was booed because he has NOT accepted the FA's decision? This is tantamount to labelling Jay Rod a racist and a liar. Now that, IMHO, is NOT acceptable not Burnley fans (or any fans for that matter) booing players.

[dsr]

dsr ...

Bringing the subject of rape (yet again) into a completely irrelevant scenario.

Try reading the thread first, then directing your oppobrium at those who you think deserve it. I don't think KRBFC's comment was sick, but if you do think so, no use whining at me.

[KRBFC]

How do you know Bong's accusation wasn't false? It wasn't proven which means one of the two were not telling the whole truth, which means he could have made a false accusation.................It's time people grew up and got on with life instead of being so upset about nothing.......

because i'd rather take in the factual statements made by people who know more than me instead of making up conspiracy theories.

[Caballo]

The lip-reading experts couldn't work out what JRod was saying because he was covering his mouth. Why would he want to hide what he was saying if it was just an innocous comment?

He was holding his nose, the pictures are there to prove it. Sadly that doesn't fit your narrative but let's not let that get in the way eh!

[Burnley Ace]

Why are some people persisting with this theory (KRBFC unsurprisingly) that Bong was being booed for making a legitimate complaint? Where is the evidence to support that supposition? Was Bong being castigated prior to the adjudication? Were Burnley fans attacking him on Social Media for actually reporting the incident? I don’t recall that - many people, especially those that know him, thought the allegation was out of character and also a very odd insult to throw (it’s hardly in the John Terry league).

Many people I spoke to were disappointed with Bongs reaction to the FAs adjudication and his persistence in denigrating JR by implying he is both a racist and a liar after his complaint was found to be unproven, unsubstantiated and uncooberated, both on the pitch or with any supporting evidence from others involved in the football industry.

[Burnley Ace]

We are being slaughtered in the media with the false news story that Bong was booed for having the termacity to make a complaint. This false position is being perpetuated by the FA, Kick it Out, BHA, the media etc without a comment being made.

We now, according to some reports, have a complaint made by BHA that Bong was subjected to monkey grunts and this is being investigated by the police!! Did anyone hear grunts? I didn’t, none of the newspaper reports mentioned it, Sky didn’t broadcast any nor did MOTD. The club should be making a very strongly worded rebuttal about these allegations.

[paulatky]

Dont think any statement is needed at all

[IanMcL]

Bong booed for continuing the issue, after it was clearly disproved. At that point, both players were 'fairly judged' with no gain or loss. Bong became vindictive and so was fairly booed, as it was one of our own.

All the FA did was reproduce their statement, in ignorance of the facts. Nothing new there.

[NottsClaret]

Nah, this was yesterday's news. Nobody will care about anything once the Champions League kicks off tonight.

[UpTheBeehole]

Where are these reports of monkey noises?

[Bin Ont Turf]

If there is a club statement it should simply read....... Shut your f***ing whining, you Seagull tossers.

[IanMcL]

Reported by a Brighton fan in the Brighton Argus.

[Lancasterclaret]

Surprisingly enough, on a Brighton fans website that makes this one look sane.

No statement needed at the moment because there isn't any evidence to back it up. No one serious (ie not brighton fans) is going to move with no evidence.

[TheFamilyCat]

Surprisingly enough, on a Brighton fans website that makes this one look sane.

No statement needed at the moment because there isn't any evidence to back it up. No one serious (ie not brighton fans) is going to move with no evidence.

But surely the club publicly stating that there is no evidence and no case to answer shifts the focus onto Brighton for being a bit silly rather than us being dragged through the mud.

[Colburn_Claret]

It would only add fuel to the fire, just ignore them and they'll go away. We know it's rubbish, why give them anymore lime light.

[Spijed]

But surely the club publicly stating that there is no evidence and no case to answer shifts the focus onto Brighton for being a bit silly rather than us being dragged through the mud.

Some really want to keep this going don't they?

[Lancasterclaret]

We are going to get dragged through the mud whatever we do though.

I said my piece on this yesterday. Effectively those who booed reawoke interest in the story, and whatever the motivations or even the rights and wrongs on it it no longer matters.

I give it a day until someone notices (again) that we don't have any black players in our starting 11 and all that **** starts up again.

Massively frustrating to be honest but that is what it is.

Like Notts said, we just need the champions league coverage to really swing in, or a surprise big managerial casualty and this will go away. Hope its not quiet football story week!

[ClaretEngineer]

But surely the club publicly stating that there is no evidence and no case to answer shifts the focus onto Brighton for being a bit silly rather than us being dragged through the mud.

Like all our business, BFC are probably working behind the scenes quietly gathering any relevant information. This is the correct way to go about any business, never show your hand until your are 100% confident.

It’s amateur and childish to air your grievances in public without any supporting evidence. Again like Bong they are attempting to gain influence prior to any investigation without following the correct procedures.

If anyone is found guilty by BFC of using racial slurs i’m confident that they will be dealt with according to the Law.

Law is what matters here, not frivolous assumptions based on hearsay.

[Dark Cloud]

The club are rightly being careful. I didn't hear any monkey chants either and don't know anyone else who did, but if the club issue a categorical rebuttal and then somewhere down the line it is irrefutably shown that someone (maybe just ONE person) did do it, then the club will look very stupid.

[TheFamilyCat]

Some really want to keep this going don't they?

Yes, Brighton do. We could put a stop to it rather than let them continue to drag our name through the mud.

[Colburn_Claret]

The FA's adjudication has called all of this. There is no such thing as case not proven.
If you can't prove a case in civil court the verdict is not guilty. BUT just to appease Bong, they come up with this ridiculous case not proven statement, which basically leaves Jay hanging out to dry.
If Bong had claimed that Dawson or Brunt had made these racist comments, Burnley fans wouldn't have given a toss about any of it. Hughton claims he's surprised by the reaction of the Burnley fans. If that's the case he is walking around with his head up his arse, because that was always going to be the reception he got. I didn't expect it to go on as long as it did, but that could be down to the way Bong reacted to the initial booing.
Now the FA are jumping on the band wagon, decrying Burnley fans. WTF has it got to do with them who we boo, or why. Fans have booed opposition players since the foundation of the football league, now it seems we can only boo white players.
In trying to be even handed they have bent over backwards to be anything but. Just as those who bend over backwards to be 'unracist', turn out to discriminatory.

[Lancasterclaret]

How though?

The club made a statement yesterday, that was largely ignored by the media.

I'd hope that the club are reviewing as much media coverage of the game as they can to see if they can identify any sound of racial abuse by the crowd at Bong.

If they can't hear it on the TV or from the other evidence, then the chances of the Brighton fans hearing it are absolutely zero so they would make a statement then, but only then I'd have thought.

[Spijed]

Yes, Brighton do. We could put a stop to it rather than let them continue to drag our name through the mud.

How can we put a stop to it by responding it?

That just prolongs it further, surely?

Likewise, next season, only an idiot would boo Bong as it'll just re-ignite the situation.

[AlargeClaret]

Brighton basically acting as per their stereotype
Let’s not forget these are the same fans who were literally hysterical when Middlesbrough fans “ sang at them aggressively “ in the championship .Never has there been a more sensitive, ego inflated pompous bunch of fans in the prem than this lot.

Never in a million yrs was there any monkey chants , sure he got a hard time, but he’s on 30k or week ( and bad breath or not) he should be able to take a bit of stick .

[Stayingup]

We are being slaughtered in the media with the false news story that Bong was booed for having the termacity to make a complaint. This false position is being perpetuated by the FA, Kick it Out, BHA, the media etc without a comment being made.

We now, according to some reports, have a complaint made by BHA that Bong was subjected to monkey grunts and this is being investigated by the police!! Did anyone hear grunts? I didn’t, none of the newspaper reports mentioned it, Sky didn’t broadcast any nor did MOTD. The club should be making a very strongly worded rebuttal about these allegations.

No it's a false accusation and should acted upon.

[Spijed]

No it's a false accusation and should acted upon.

In what way?

[UpTheBeehole]

So there are no proper reports, just someone talking rubbish on a messageboard?

[martin_p]

Just let it lie. It’ll all be forgotten by the football world at large in a couple of days anyway.

[quoonbeatz]

I give it a day until someone notices (again) that we don't have any black players in our starting 11 and all that **** starts up again.

aaron lennon.

[KRBFC]

The FA's adjudication has called all of this. There is no such thing as case not proven.
If you can't prove a case in civil court the verdict is not guilty. BUT just to appease Bong, they come up with this ridiculous case not proven statement, which basically leaves Jay hanging out to dry.
If Bong had claimed that Dawson or Brunt had made these racist comments, Burnley fans wouldn't have given a toss about any of it. Hughton claims he's surprised by the reaction of the Burnley fans. If that's the case he is walking around with his head up his arse, because that was always going to be the reception he got. I didn't expect it to go on as long as it did, but that could be down to the way Bong reacted to the initial booing.
Now the FA are jumping on the band wagon, decrying Burnley fans. WTF has it got to do with them who we boo, or why. Fans have booed opposition players since the foundation of the football league, now it seems we can only boo white players.
In trying to be even handed they have bent over backwards to be anything but. Just as those who bend over backwards to be 'unracist', turn out to discriminatory.

You still don't understand the colour of Bong's skin is irrelevant to the FA statement about the booing? interesting

[Lancasterclaret]

Yeah, forgot about him to be fair!

Thinking more of that time when L'eqiupe (that one?) mentioned it