Hartlepool hit with four figure fine by the Football Association

Hartlepool hit with four figure fine by the Football Association following the racist abuse incident that took place against Dover Athletic earlier this season.

The National League club have been handed a £7,500 fine, including £5,000 suspended for 18 months after being found guilty of failing to ensure their fans refrained from using racially-abusive language.

CLUB STATEMENT:

“During what was a very difficult process, we have maintained that two people were guilty of racist abuse. The FA found that there were definitely two but found us guilty on the basis that “on the balance of probability there was possibly a third”. We have maintained throughout that one is too many.

“As such, we have been found guilty of Charge E20 and fined £7,500. £5,000 of which was suspended as a result of our actions subsequently and, in addition, an action plan largely devised by ourselves with the help of Kick it Out must be followed over the next eighteen months. We have shared this action plan with fellow National League Clubs.

“Throughout the process we have been consistent in our stance that on Saturday 21st September 2019, two individuals in the Hartlepool end of Victoria Park were guilty of directing vile abuse towards Dover players. The abuse was specific and racist in nature, and has no place in football or society.

“All our action subsequently – and that of our fans – has demonstrated the true attitude of Hartlepool towards racism, one of unanimous condemnation. We have come together to show that all connected with Hartlepool United abhor racism and discrimination of any kind.

“In making this statement we want to pay tribute to the way Dover players Inih Effiong and Ricky Modeste conducted themselves during the recent FA hearing. They displayed dignity, honesty and integrity; we apologised to them in person on behalf of those responsible and we do so again now.

“Our response to what happened at Victoria Park has been to work closely with Kick It Out on various ongoing measures and their advice and assistance has been outstanding. We have improved how we approach matters in preparation for matches and certainly learned lessons.

“In the words of the panel at the hearing, our response was “exemplary”. With the benefit of hindsight we would, of course, have taken some of the measures we have since introduced. It is clear that no club can afford to sit in comfort believing they have no issue because we must unify across the game to stamp out discrimination wherever it exists.

“We hope the FA will engage with Kick It Out and member clubs to create an action plan across football, and indeed to make sure that the lessons learned and actions introduced from this and other cases are communicated to all stakeholders. This would go some way to addressing a problem in society which is manifesting itself in football grounds.

“We have recently shared our experiences with colleagues from National League clubs at the Club Meeting alongside Kick It Out, in the hope that we can create some momentum behind a number of actions which will see the National League lead the way in addressing this issue.

“We are grateful for the support of Cleveland Police who have kept us informed as to the progress of their investigations throughout and assisted us in identifying the two culprits. During their investigations they requested that we did not take any action which would prejudice a legal case; however, since the conclusion of the case we have recently written to two individuals issuing bans from Victoria Park.”

Fans gave their reaction on social media after finding out that Hartlepool are hit with four figure fine…

Superb and measured response. Well done Pools.

— Alan Wright (@alanhartlepool) January 31, 2020

situation handled perfectly, can’t argue with the fine or the punishment really and its nice to close the book on the whole mess ?

— Ross Milburn (@RossHamMil) January 31, 2020

Handled brilliantly by the club

— Jonny P (@jpacker_1993) January 31, 2020

Are the two individuals going to be charged by the police? Or is the ban looked on as sufficient punishment?

— Julie Ratcliffe (@juliethepoolie) January 31, 2020

Alan Higgins: Well done Pools again. Let’s make The Vic a place where everyone is accepted regardless of colour or creed. UTP NSD

Alan Clark: It’s simple really – do not be racist and the club will not get fined. The club’s response to the incident was and has been exemplary.

Rebecca Sharp: Always a few who spoil it for the many

Dave Callaghan: How can taking money from the club stop the action of something that we don’t know will happen. Should we ask each person as they come through the turnstiles if they are going to be racist and hope to get a true answer?

Paul Bage: Name the ‘fans’

Callum Turnbull: Should charge the two who are banned to cover the cost of the fine!

Alan Clark: Name and shame them. No place for these “fans” anywhere ?

Jason Lee: Shame that the actions of a few idiots resulted in the Hartlepool getting hit with four figure fine, hope the culprits got their worth too