Brisbane Roar’s Jamie Young wants more than a ban for racist abuse

Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young has called for more to be done to educate people about the impact of racism.

Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young. Picture: AAP

Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young has cast doubts about the effectiveness of banning fans who make racist comments and has called for more to be done to educate people about its impact.

Football Federation Australia has launched an investigation after Young was racially abused from behind the goal during the Roar’s 2-2 draw with Western Sydney in Mudgee on Saturday.

The individual, reportedly a Western Sydney fan, was evicted by police and security after allegedly calling Young a “monkey”.

Stunned by the abuse, the Roar stalwart reacted with anger. In an outburst picked up by the television microphones, he fired back: “F .. k off, you racist c ..t.”

FFA are awaiting reports from the police, Brisbane Roar and the Wanderers but a spokesman confirmed to The Australian the fan is expected to be put through the head body’s strict banning process.

Speaking to the media after arriving back in Brisbane yesterday afternoon Young, who is of Sri Lankan and Scottish descent, said he was surprised something like this could happen in this day and age, before adding he wasn’t sure whether banning someone was a big enough deterrent.

“I was a bit surprised because the stadium wasn’t very loud at the time but it was said in front of everyone so they could hear … it was baffling,” Young said. “We had a free-kick at the time and someone behind my goal has made a racist remark and, unfortunately, he made that in front of everyone and to me as well so I responded back and kind of left it at that.

“You cop criticism as a player in general … the fans try to put you off your game and that’s part of the culture of sport but certainly not the remarks I received.

“He looked like he was about 50 or 60 and that was the most surprising thing.”

Asked what should happen to the man, Young emphasised educating people about racism should be a priority.

“Obviously there’ll be a ban I’m sure, but what does that achieve?” he said. “Can we put things in place where we educate people about the impact of that sort of behaviour so that they ultimately change their views and maybe help influence others to behave better?

“People make those mistakes all the time, but I think just banning … what does that achieve in the long term?

“Personally, it did not hurt me so much. I just thought it was poor form. A person his age should know better.

“There were a lot of young kids around and families. I wasn’t happy. I’ve experienced that enough in my career, but having that level of impact on other people … racism is a very touchy subject.”

Young, one of the best goalkeepers in the A-League, said he was buoyed by the support from all fans and not just those from the Roar. He said Wanderers fans should not be tarred by the stupidity of one fan.

“That was the really pleasing thing from what I was told, both sets of supporters were really displeased,” he said. “They voiced their opinions to this person so it wasn’t just Brisbane Roar fans, it was Western Sydney fans who were not happy.”

The Wanderers issued a stern statement yesterday declaring “the individual is not welcomed back at any Wanderers fixture”.

“The Western Sydney Wanderers would like to extend a sincere apology to Jamie Young for being subjected to such behaviour,” the statement read.

“We applaud and are extremely proud of those Wanderers supporters in the immediate vicinity to this individual who promptly, and vociferously, objected to the behaviour demonstrated and alerted authorities to have the offender removed from the venue.”