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A father and son have been banned from all soccer matches at a Christchurch park after they were found to have racially abused Otago United coach and former Ireland player Terry Phelan.
Soccer franchise Canterbury United issued two trespass orders through the police after an official complaint from Otago United about comments directed at FA Cup winner Phelan by spectators at a national league match at English Park in Christchurch on February 17.
The club, praised yesterday by New Zealand Soccer officials and Phelan for its zero-tolerance policy, wouldn't name the men involved but said police advice was sought before the trespass notices were issued.
However, The Press newspaper today named Canterbury United season ticketholder Albert Laverack and his adult son, Michael, as the pair involved and reported that the trespass orders were sent by registered mail.
Both men were protesting their innocence and wanted the bans lifted, the newspaper said.
English-born Phelan, of Irish and African heritage, played 42 games for the Republic of Ireland and was an FA Cup winner with Wimbledon in 1988.
Phelan applauded Canterbury United's strong actions.
He told the Otago Daily Times he'd travelled and played around the world and had never been subjected to similar abuse.
"I know there have been similar problems in England, and they are stamping it out over there. But after coming 12000 miles to New Zealand, I did not expect to find it here," he said.
Describing himself ethnically as Irish-African, Phelan said he didn't mind "a bit of banter" from opposition supporters.
"But the Cantabrians became nasty and started to get very personal, racist and abusive. So I had no alternative but to report the matter to match officials," he said.
Soccer's world governing body, Fifa, had taken a strong stance on racism in the sport.
"It's a poison that we do not want to creep into the game in New Zealand," Phelan said.
Speaking to The Press last night, Albert Laverack insisted neither he nor his son had abused Phelan racially and claimed they had been "scapegoated".
Mr Laverack said they were part of a group of Canterbury supporters near the Otago dugout.
One of the group called Phelan a "monkey" and Mr Laverack said "he must have taken it as a racist remark".
He said the group was unaware of Phelan's African heritage "until he came over".
Mr Laverack said he and his son would not apologise to Phelan "because innocent people don't apologise".
New Zealand Soccer national league manager Glyn Taylor said the linesman heard abuse directed at Phelan and listed the comments in his match report.
"I don't want to go into what was said, suffice to say it's not acceptable conduct.
"We have a zero tolerance policy to that sort of act. It can't happen," Taylor said.
Mainland Soccer, which runs the sport in Canterbury, Nelson Bays, Marlborough, Mid-Canterbury and the West Coast, welcomed the two-year ban.
Chief executive Mike Coggan said the trespass orders applied to any match played at English Park, Christchurch's premier soccer ground.
"For any games, whether they involve Canterbury United or any other games played at English Park in the next two years, those two persons are banned from access to the grounds," Mr Coggan said.
"We've simply supported Canterbury United and the police on this one. Those two characters won't come into the park for the next two years."
Canterbury United general manager Eddie Cropley said the club was "absolutely sure" the right pair had been banned.
Mr Cropley said the Laveracks had been identified by "the linesman, the fourth official, Mr Phelan himself and several bystanders".
"We've dealt with it and we'd like to move on and worry about the onfield activities of the club," he said.
- NZPA
