IPSWICH: A part-time Ipswich Town employee is today facing an uncertain future at the club after abusing Watford striker Nathan Ellington.
Colin Adwent
IPSWICH: A part-time Ipswich Town employee is today facing an uncertain future at the club after abusing Watford striker Nathan Ellington.
The man, who only works for the club on match days, has been given a police caution for swearing at Ellington.
However, he was originally investigated for alleged racial abuse of the black striker after he snatched victory from the Blues' grasp at Portman Road on October 20.
The midweek match ended 1-1 after the Watford substitute equalised in the fourth minute of injury time.
Ipswich police confirmed the allegation emerged when a supporter sent an e-mailed complaint to the football anti-racism website kickitout.org.
The organisation then forwarded it on to the Football Association and Ipswich Town, before the club passed the matter on to police to investigate.
Officers were given a description of the alleged culprit and trawled closed-circuit television coverage of the supporters.
A suspect was identified through CCTV. An appointment was made for him to go to Ipswich police station on November 20. When he did so he was arrested.
During an interview the man admitted using abusive language, but said he did not recall using any racist words. He was released on bail pending further inquiries.
The matter was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider prosecution. However, it deemed there was insufficient evidence to prove any allegation of racism as only one witness had made a complaint.
When the suspect answered bail this month, he accepted a police caution for a lesser offence.
Louise Rosher, a spokeswoman for Ipswich Police, said: “I can confirm a man has been cautioned for causing harassment, alarm or distress on October 20 at Portman Road.”
A spokesman for Ipswich Town said the matter would now be dealt with internally.
He said: “We can confirm that a casual worker on match days was involved and it is now a private matter between the club and the employee.”
Have you been a victim of racist abuse? E-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or write to Star Letters, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN>
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