West Lothian football club issue lifetime ban for 'mindless idiot' after 'incident'
The incident happened during Livingston FC's match against Ross County on Thursday evening. The fan, who has been branded a 'mindless idiot', appeared to be caught on TV cameras spitting at the Ross County coach.
Livingston FC have urged authorities to extend the ban country-wide, reports the Daily Record. They have also identified the individual and passed the supporters' details on to police.
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Ahead of the second leg on Monday evening, chief executive Dave Black issued a lengthy statement, slamming the 'abhorrent' actions of an individual they hope won't be setting foot inside a football stadium again.
It read: 'We're absolutely appalled by the actions of one mindless idiot in the home end at last night's Premiership play-off game with Ross County.
'Football is undoubtedly an emotional sport and fans are more often than not the most passionate of all in their support for their teams. The highs and lows of a last minute goal, depending on what side you're on, is always going to provoke a burst of joy at one end, and an incredible disappointment at the other.
"That's the nature of the game and that passion is why we all keep coming back week-after-week. However, what we witnessed in the ground last night, which was subsequently beamed all over the country and beyond on live TV, was abhorrent, shameful and tainted what was a hard fought, well balanced game between two teams battling it out for a place in the top flight.
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'We all know that there's likely to be the odd bit of goading or verbals from opposition fans, such has been the case for as long as the game has been played, and you'll be hard pushed to find anyone in the game from managers to coaches to players who wouldn't expect that. What no-one should expect, or experience though, is someone approaching them from the stand and spitting in their face.
"The absolute lowest of the low and an utter embarrassment for the person involved. I spoke with Steven Ferguson, CEO of Ross County, last night immediately after the incident, overnight via text and again this morning on the phone, as well as calling County assistant manager Carl Tremarco earlier today to offer an apology on behalf of the club for the disgusting way in which he was treated.
"I know, and both Steven and Carl echoed the sentiment, that the action is absolutely not a reflection of the football club or our supporters and is entirely at the door of the culprit. Our thanks to a number of our own supporters who were quick to get in touch and help identify the individual, all of whom were as ashamed by what they saw as we were.
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"This has allowed us to identify the person involved and we've passed the details on to the police who will be investigating with a view of taking this further. We'll also be issuing a lifetime ban to the individual and will speak with the relevant authorities required to ask for that ban to be country-wide too."
The statement continued: "Thank you to our own safety and security team, as well as the stewards around the incident who all moved quickly to help de-escalate the situation, and credit to Carl and the rest of the coaching staff for managing to stay as restrained as possible despite what had happened.
"Again, on behalf of Livingston Football Club, our sincere apologies to Carl and all at Ross County for the behaviour of the individual – regardless of being outwith our control, we're disgusted that an opposition club would have that happen to them in our stadium."
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