Carlisle United have issued a statement apologising for the behaviour of a “young person” after Port Vale goalkeeper Connor Ripley was subject to verbal abuse on New Year’s Day.
The match ended in a disappointing 2-1 defeat for the Valiants thanks to a late winner from the home side but was marred by the offensive language directed towards the Port Vale goalkeeper. To Carlisle’s credit, the club have acted promptly and their Chief Executive phoned Ripley to apologise personally on behalf of the club.
Ripley was clearly upset by the abuse and posting on ‘X’, formerly Twitter, he said:
Really disappointed about the result yesterday against Carlisle but one thing that has stood out to me more than anything yesterday is what was being said to me behind the goal by a couple Carlisle fans! I don’t mind people saying stuff to me normally and I will always give a bit back cause that’s who I am, but in all my years playing football I’ve never had anyone tell me ‘go and hang yourself.’ I think it’s disgusting and because I play for a different team to them they think they can say stuff like that whilst I am working! You don’t know what I’m going through and you don’t know if that could have had a serious effect on me. Maybe people just need to think that we’re just normal people with family and friends. Anyway thank you to the Carlisle fans that have messaged me about it I appreciate it!
The Carlisle statement added:
We sincerely apologise to Connor and Port Vale. The abuse he received was totally unacceptable and we condemn it in the strongest terms.
The young person making the comments does not represent our fans or what we were stand for as a club. These comments embarrass and shame us all. Sorry Connor, and sorry to Port Vale. We are working with the police to identify who was responsible and will act in the strongest possible manner.
CEO Nigel Clibbens said: “I was made aware of this tonight. I asked Paul Simpson to get me Connor’s number so I could speak to him straight away.
“I spoke to him earlier tonight and apologised personally on behalf of the club. He was very understandably still angry and upset. No player deserves that abuse and we are truly sorry he suffered it.
“He was able to give information about the incident and it was clearly prolonged abuse. I said that we do not tolerate this and will do our best to deal with it.
“We will do all we can to identify the culprit and take the strongest action we can. Fans close by will know who it was and I hope they will help as they have done in the past, by giving information.
“Everyone knows the Warwick Road End has seen really positive developments in terms of atmosphere but it continues to see regular incidents of disorder and now abuse. It’s extraordinarily disappointing.
“We appeal to fans to stop and behave. This cannot go on.”
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