Bristol Rovers have condemned the racist abuse directed at their forward, Shaq Forde, following Saturday’s match against Reading FC.
Forde received an offensive message containing racist language on Instagram, which he shared on his story, tagging the official Bristol Rovers account with the comment, “Great ‘fans’ we have, don’t we.”
Bristol Rovers’ Response
In a powerful response, Rovers expressed their frustration with the ongoing issue of racial abuse in football, emphasizing that they are “sick and tired” of players being targeted. This latest incident is one of several cases reported by Rovers players recently, with another occurrence of racist abuse against a player just last week. The club is actively working with the police and Instagram’s parent company, Meta, to investigate and identify those responsible.
Bristol Rovers emphasized that discrimination of any kind has no place at the Memorial Stadium and that individuals engaging in abusive behaviour are not welcome as fans. The club also reinforced its commitment to standing by its players and victims of discrimination, asserting that such abuse will not be tolerated and calling for unity among supporters to reject and report discriminatory behaviour.
Bristol Rovers is infuriated by racist abuse directed at Shaq Forde in the aftermath of Saturday’s match at Reading.
— Bristol Rovers (@Official_BRFC) October 27, 2024
In a statement, the club addressed the broader issue of combating racism, expressing frustration that typical measures, such as press releases and social media statements, seem ineffective against the persistent issue. They called for a stronger stance, declaring, “Enough is Enough.”
Reading FC condemned the abuse and confirmed they would assist Bristol Rovers in the investigation.
This incident underscores the increasing demand for meaningful action against discrimination within football. Despite growing awareness and social media campaigns, clubs like Bristol Rovers are urging for stronger measures to protect players and fans, as well as to hold offenders accountable. Rovers’ stance reflects a unified message from players, management, and the football community: racism has no place in the game.
Writer’s View
Bristol Rovers’ firm response to Shaq Forde’s abuse highlights the urgent need for stronger measures against racism in football. Clubs are doing their part by openly condemning discrimination, but without meaningful repercussions for offenders, abuse continues to thrive online. This incident serves as a reminder that social media platforms and governing bodies must step up and implement effective actions. Protecting players and fans from hate is not just a goal—it’s a responsibility.
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