Charity hurling game discontinued due to racist abuse

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A charity hurling match between Wexford and Tipperary was scrapped on Saturday afternoon after Wexford captain Lee Chin suffered racist abuse from an elderly supporter in the crowd.

The incident happened in the 69th minute of Saturday’s match at Carrick-on-Suir in Tipperary when a fight broke out between the two groups of players.

Many within earshot described the abuse as “disgusting” and said several young children were present.

Witnesses said the highly offensive term was uttered several times, causing a number of Wexford players to break out of the fight and confront the supporter.

With the Wexford players visibly upset by the incident, Wexford manager Darragh Egan asked referee John Keenan to end the game prematurely.

Keenan agreed and blew for full time immediately.

Speaking after the game, Egan said his players were “shattered” by the incident.

“Using words like that shouldn’t happen but I felt the players handled it very well,” Egan said.

Wexford and Tipperary County Councils have both condemned the incident and promised a full investigation.

A statement released by Tipperary on Saturday night said racist language was “completely unacceptable”, adding that it had “absolutely no place in our games or in our society”.

“Tipperary GAA and senior hurling management, players and the Carrick Swan GAA Club do not condone this type of behavior and wish to distance themselves from such comments,” Tipperary GAA said in a statement.

“Tipperary and Wexford GAA County Councils have been in contact with each other regarding this incident and are fully committed to ensuring the incident is fully investigated. “

Wexford chairman Michel Martin told Wexford People he did not attend the game on Saturday but said he spoke to Egan about the incident.

“I have been in contact with the chairman of Tipperary GAA and the Carrick Swans, who organized the event. Tipperary GAA has assured me that they have opened a full investigation into this incident and we will be working with them on this. case,” Martin said. People of Wexford.

“Obviously it’s extremely disappointing to see this sort of thing. I wasn’t there myself. I spoke to Darragh Egan, but I haven’t spoken to Lee and the other players yet. I am appalled that any GAA person would engage in this type of behavior.”

The recent GAA annual convention introduced a 48-week suspension for anyone found guilty of racist or sectarian abuse.

Chin, whose father is from Malaysia, has actively shed light on the problem of racism in recent years and has spoken about the racist incidents his father encountered in addition to the incidents on the pitch he encountered in the GAA.

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