Quitongo sues Airdrieonians in racial discrimination case


Rico Quitongo is making a racial discrimination claim against former club Airdrieonians and a director.

It follows an incident last September when the 22-year-old alleged he was racially abused by one of the club's supporters during a match against Queen's Park at Firhill.

At the time, the League One club looked into the incident but one month later said after a "thorough investigation" they were dropping the case due to "insufficient evidence".

Quitongo, however, claims he experienced racial harassment and victimisation following the alleged incident and is now taking the club to an employment tribunal and is being supported by the PFA Scotland footballers' union plus the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

Airdrieonians have been approached for comment.

The defender, who is now at fellow League One club Peterhead, wrote on social media at the time: "It shouldn't be in football and I absolutely don't deserve to be personally abused for my skin colour.

"I'm all for banter with fans etc, but I will not tolerate it. I am proud to be black and proud to be who I am."

A date for the hearing is yet to be confirmed.

Margaret Gribbon, solicitor at Bridge Employment Solicitors representing Quitongo, said: "Rico is strongly committed to pursuing this legal claim in an effort to ensure that no other footballer experiences what he has.

"He hopes to effect much needed change, by exposing the gap between anti-racism rhetoric and the realities faced daily by footballers subjected to racist abuse and discrimination.

"He is extremely grateful to PFA Scotland and the Equality and Human Rights Commission for their support."

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