Ex-Airdrie star Rico Quitongo claims he felt 'manipulated' by club into saying he didn't suffer racist abuse from a fan

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A footballer felt his club was trying to manipulate him into saying he did not suffer racist abuse from one of its fans, an employment tribunal has heard.

Rico Quitongo has taken his former club Airdrieonians FC and one of its directors, Paul Hetherington, to the tribunal over allegations of racial discrimination.

The 22-year-old said he was racially abused by a fan during a game last year. The club said it carried out an investigation into the matter but it was dropped due to "insufficient evidence."In a meeting with club officials, which included Mr Hetherington, Quitongo said he was told about this and that it was felt the incident did not happen.Mark Allison, representing Quitongo, asked him how he felt "as a young black footballer asserting you were racially abused" when he was told by "middle-aged white man" the incident had not occurred.Quitongo told the tribunal: "It made me feel I was trying to be manipulated in joining him in saying it didn't happen."He said the others in the room would not know how it felt to be in his position, and he added: "I just felt uncomfortable."The employment tribunal in Glasgow is examining how the case was handled, with Quitongo claiming he was a victim of racial harassment and victimisation.Quitongo told the hearing that had the club put out a strong statement about the abuse he said he suffered: "I would have felt supported and backed."The footballer told the tribunal of the impact the following process has had on him and how he has been portrayed in the public eye.

A mental health expert who he consulted said he had appeared "vulnerable and let down by his workplace at the time", and added his mental state had worsened due to the tribunal.