Azerbaijan
Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria
South Africa

Barnet players threatened with sack after racism row against staff member

mirror.co.uk, 1 February 2022, 18:16
Barnet, who play in the National League, went on strike after Saturday's defeat to Stockport following an allegation of racist abuse by a member of the Bees' backroom staff Barnet play at the Hive

Barnet's entire squad is locked in an extraordinary row with the club over an allegation of racism.

The National League side's players went on strike after Saturday's defeat to Stockport and even refused to play in tonight's game at Southend before changing their minds when they were allegedly threatened with the sack.

The row centres on a claim that a member of the Bees backroom staff racially abused a Stockport player during Saturday's game.

County's Ryan Johnson is understood to have told the Barnet players he was called a "m".

Bees captain Jamie Turley subsequently asked his club to ensure the individual was not around the squad at training on Monday.

The Barnet staff member, however, arrived and was told by captain Jamie Turley that the players felt it was not appropriate for him to be around the squad.

The staff member complained and Turley was suspended.

The entire squad in turn reacted angrily and say they initially made it clear to the club's management team that they would not play in Tuesday night's game.

They insist they only changed their minds after being told in a meeting on Monday that some players contracts would be terminated if they followed through with their stance.

Barnet chairman Anthony Kleanthous said: "I have not spoken with the team at all and am not aware of any direct "termination" threat to the players.

"However, it is worth noting that the players are contracted under the standard FA playing contracts to participate in football matches, so I would assume that any threats not to play would be a breach of their contracts and would carry heavy sanctions from the National League."

The players - who remain united in their support for Turley and the team-mates threatened with the sack - have demanded further talks with Kleanthous and the club's senior management.

Kleanthous told Mirror Sport: "Jamie Turley has been suspended on full pay by HR at the Club following a separate internal complaint.

"This is standard staff disciplinary procedure and good practice to allow for the appropriate investigation to be carried out.

"To be clear, a suspension is not in and of itself a disciplinary action or a reflection of guilt, but rather allows the space for an investigation to be efficiently and thoroughly conducted without any third-party influence."

In relation to the racism allegation against the member of staff, Kleanthous claimed Police had concluded the staff member did not have a case to answer.

He added: "An investigation was carried out in full on the day of the alleged incident.

"This was conducted by the Safety Officer, who has overarching authority over these matters on match days, and in consultation with the attending Police present at the game.

"Witnesses were interviewed with statements taken and the matter was reported to the London Matchday Silver Commander in a debrief to MO6 HQ Football Unit in line with MPS Policy. The senior police officer at the scene confirms there was no allegation or substance for a criminal investigation to take place.

"The Club is currently conducting further investigations to ensure a comprehensive review of the matter and to provide it's observations to The FA.

"Finally, I hope it is understood that Barnet Football Club takes its social responsibilities very seriously and will always act with full integrity when investigating any matter. The Club will not tolerate racism or any other form of abuse and will act swiftly and robustly to deal with any such behaviour."

Top News

4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly ready to listen to offers for one of their defenders during the summer transfer window. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly made a decision over whether to sign Joselu on a permanent basis. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has reportedly made a decision over how to handle the goalkeeping situation at Stamford Bridge. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Algeria seek to continue their 100% start to World Cup qualifying on Thursday when they host Guinea at Stade Nelson Mandela in Algiers. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Portugal headline what is shaping up to be an interesting Group F, with Roberto Martinez's side certainly among the favourites to triumph at Euro 2024. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Euro 2024 is nearly upon us, with excitement building around the continent for the latest installment of a tournament that will crown the kings of Europe for the next four years. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Costa Rica and Saint Kitts and Nevis will face off on Thursday at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in Group B action as both sides begin their 2026 CONCACAF World Cup qualifying campaigns. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly set to compete with Premier League rivals Arsenal for the signature of RB Leipzig attacker Benjamin Sesko in the upcoming transfer window. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Belgium will have aspirations of bettering their quarter-final appearances of the last two European Championships when they get their Euro 2024 campaign underway in Group E. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea Under-21s head coach Mark Robinson has left his position to take charge of Burton Albion. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has refused to rule out moving to the Saudi Pro League in the near future. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The 24 nations that have qualified for Euro 2024 are currently on a countdown ahead of the start of the tournament on June 14. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Mauricio Pochettino has taken to social media to make his first public comments since leaving his role as Chelsea head coach. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Reece James will miss the first three games of the 2024-25 Premier League season after the Football Association dismissed Chelsea's efforts to have his ban overturned. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ronald Koeman faces decisions on how to line up his Netherlands side for Thursday's international friendly against Canada. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Is it coming home for England? Will Denmark emulate the heroes of 1992? Can Slovenia or Serbia spring a surprise? 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Netherlands continue their final preparations for Euro 2024 with an international friendly against Canada on Thursday evening. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Scottish Premiership champions Celtic are reportedly plotting a £10m move for Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher this summer. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wales commence their preparations for the UEFA Nations League later this year with a friendly against international minnows Gibraltar. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The countdown to Euro 2024 is now well and truly on, with the tournament beginning on June 14. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United are reportedly on the verge of signing an in-demand teenager who has been heavily linked with a host of top European clubs. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Three-time champions Germany will begin their quest for an unprecedented fourth European title - and a first since 1996 - when they host Euro 2024 this summer. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool reportedly have plans to sign an upgrade to Wataru Endo during the summer transfer window. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Less than 48 hours after winning a record-extending 15th European Cup, Real Madrid announced the signing of French superstar Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Borussia Dortmund are reportedly facing a blow in their efforts to secure the signing of Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea reportedly have plans to make changes in four areas of the pitch ahead of the summer transfer window, yet achieving that goal will be far from a simple task. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The Kylian Mbappe transfer saga is now officially over after the French superstar was announced as a new Real Madrid player on Monday evening. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The season is over and while the transfer window doesn't technically open until June 14, clubs across the UK and Europe are free to get deals in place ahead of next season. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Slovenia vs. Armenia (Tuesday, 5.00pm) Before attempting to upset the Euro 2024 Group C apple cart, Slovenia play their first of two warm-up friendlies on Tuesday, hosting Armenia at the Stozice Stadium. 4 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea return to action in the World Cup qualifiers when they go head to head at the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi on Wednesday.