Lee Croft

[Rodders]

It's all done and dusted - no case to answer by Croft of allegations of racism, the allegations were unfounded:

Oldham's Lee Croft will face no further action from South Yorkshire Police following allegations that he racially abused a ball boy at Sheffield United.
The incident happened during the 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane on 13 October.
Croft strongly denied the claims immediately after the match.
A club statement reads: "It has been an extremely difficult time for Lee, who has received the full support of the club while these totally unfounded allegations have been investigated."
The police investigation, which was launched in the aftermath of the game earlier this month, has now concluded following an apology by Croft to the ball boy.
A police statement said: "The investigation has revealed there to be no substance to suggestions of racial abuse.
"Lee Croft has however, accepted he spoke inappropriately to the ball boy and he has apologised for his behaviour and any upset that was caused as a result.
"The apology has been accepted and with that acceptance, there is to be no further police action."
Meanwhile, manager Paul Dickov has admitted he may have been too hasty in restoring captain Dean Furman to his starting line-up at Carlisle on Tuesday.
Robbie Simpson had deputised in the previous two matches while midfielder Furman was on international duty with South Africa.
But the Latics lost 3-1 at Brunton Park - their first defeat in five games.
"With the amount of effort Robbie had put in on Saturday, we felt it was the right time to put Dean back in," Dickov told BBC Radio Manchester. "Maybe I was proved wrong."

 

[SwissBlade]

Thanks Rodders I'm actually pretty glad that this has been sorted quickly and with no further action.

Not because I don't want racism punished, but just because it clears it up amicably.

Time to move on

 

[Linz]

We've got some Oldham fan on Twitter making out that somehow United fans en masse are to blame for something and the ball boy deserved it.

https://twitter.com/danoafc

No idea.

 

[Rodders]

It would appear some false allegations have been made to be fair IMO...

 

[Linz]

It would appear some false allegations have been made to be fair IMO...

Didn't the original statement say that the Stewards had made the complaint?

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Whoever complained it's pretty despicable to falsely accuse somebody of racist abuse, not to mention wasting police time.

 

[Foxy]

It would appear some false allegations have been made to be fair IMO...

No one other than SYP and those making statements know what was alleged. I It is indeed despicable if false allegations were made.

They are all over twitter demanding unreserved apologies apologies from Blades fans to Croft, and right through to wanting the ball boy sacked and/or charged with "slander".

It's as if he was totally justified in abusing a young lad, as long as it wasn't racist.

They seem to have sorted it amicably, so that should be the end of it, other than the quest to make us look bad.

 

[Linz]

I'm just glad for the lad himself that what was said can be dealt with by an apology and hope that Croft realises that his actions were rather unbecoming of a professional towards a young lad.

Like I said after the game, neither side covered themselves with glory.

 

[Darren]

Putting my lawyer's hat on here, if the ball boy and/or any fans who were in a position to hear had said he had used racist language, I am pretty sure he would have been charged, whatever he said.

One can only assume that no such allegations were made.

 

[SwissBlade]

Putting my lawyer's hat on here, if the ball boy and/or any fans who were in a position to hear had said he had used racist language, I am pretty sure he would have been charged, whatever he said.

One can only assume that no such allegations were made.

Or perhaps they were dropped after an apology?

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Putting my lawyer's hat on here, if the ball boy and/or any fans who were in a position to hear had said he had used racist language, I am pretty sure he would have been charged, whatever he said.

One can only assume that no such allegations were made.

So you're saying that if one or two fans said they heard racist language he would have been charged?
Even if the ball boy and the photographer and the girl sat nearby all said that he didn't.
That can't be right surely?

 

[sitwell]

the ballboy doesnt know what he said and the witness's are only saying they thought he said something ,hence no case to answer I presume.

 

[sitwell]

the ballboy doesnt know what he said and the witness's are only saying they thought he said something ,hence no case to answer I presume.

 

[Rodders]

No one other than SYP and those making statements know what was alleged. I It is indeed despicable if false allegations were made.

They are all over twitter demanding unreserved apologies apologies from Blades fans to Croft, and right through to wanting the ball boy sacked and/or charged with "slander".

It's as if he was totally justified in abusing a young lad, as long as it wasn't racist.

They seem to have sorted it amicably, so that should be the end of it, other than the quest to make us look bad.

There are nobheads everywhere; I for one wouldn't be surprised if the allegation was a malicious one by United fans.

 

[SwissBlade]

It does strike me as odd that for years there were very few reported cases of racism, then Suarez and Terry use racist language and then the whole of football is suddenly doing it!

 

[Darren]

Or perhaps they were dropped after an apology?

Extremely unlikely.

 

[Darren]

So you're saying that if one or two fans said they heard racist language he would have been charged?
Even if the ball boy and the photographer and the girl sat nearby all said that he didn't.
That can't be right surely?

No:

1. If the ball boy and anyone who was in a position to hear said he had used racist language he would have been charged.

2. If the ball boy said he definitely did not use racist language, he would not have been charged no matter what others said.

3. In the ball boy said he didn't hear what was said but other people nearby said he did use racist language, he would probably have been charged.

 

[Micalijo]

No one other than SYP and those making statements know what was alleged. I It is indeed despicable if false allegations were made.

They are all over twitter demanding unreserved apologies apologies from Blades fans to Croft, and right through to wanting the ball boy sacked and/or charged with "slander".

It's as if he was totally justified in abusing a young lad, as long as it wasn't racist.

They seem to have sorted it amicably, so that should be the end of it, other than the quest to make us look bad.

Hang on a minute - I am sure you seemed to suggest you knew people who made the allegations of racist abuse? Am I mistaken here? What did they hear and what did they tell the police?

I feel very sorry for Croft in all this and your pals should be apologising to him.

Very simply Oldham scored, were a bit niggly and people (you being a prnmie example) got their knickers in a twist because Croft had a go at a ballboy who deserved some sort of response albeit not quite as aggressive.

 

[SwissBlade]

Extremely unlikely.

Thanks Darren, I was asking if they could be dropped if this happened, not your opinion of the probability of it happening (although I agree it would be unlikely)

 

[Micalijo]

I'm just glad for the lad himself that what was said can be dealt with by an apology and hope that Croft realises that his actions were rather unbecoming of a professional towards a young lad.

Like I said after the game, neither side covered themselves with glory.

Well Croft tried to apologise - some idiotic Blades suddenly thought they were lip reading experts which led Croft into some very uncomfortable territory for a while. What exactly did Oldham do wrong? Oh yes I remeber - they kicked Cofie and scored in the last minute and knock me down with a feather - they celebrated - tut, tut.

 

[Linz]

Well Croft tried to apologise - some idiotic Blades suddenly thought they were lip reading experts which led Croft into some very uncomfortable territory for a while. What exactly did Oldham do wrong? Oh yes I remeber - they kicked Cofie and scored in the last minute and knock me down with a feather - they celebrated - tut, tut.

Like I said, wasn't the complaint made by the stewards?

And half a dozen or so Oldham fans tried to get on the pitch after they scored, leading to their being carted out.

Not defending any of our idiots, but not blind to the faults of others either.

 

[SwissBlade]

Very simply Oldham scored, were a bit niggly and people (you being a prnmie example) got their knickers in a twist because Croft had a go at a ballboy who deserved some sort of response albeit not quite as aggressive.

Why did the ballboy deserve some sort of response? He retrieved the ball and returned it to the field of play.

 

[Balham]

Why did the ballboy deserve some sort of response? He retrieved the ball and returned it to the field of play.

It was our throw and the ballboy had the temerity to kick the ball past Croft to Blackman. Shocking behaviour. String him up, eh Mic?

 

[Foxy]

Hang on a minute - I am sure you seemed to suggest you knew people who made the allegations of racist abuse? Am I mistaken here? What did they hear and what did they tell the police?

I actually said:

I know two who sit on the very front row in the section closest to the incident. They've given statements.

Perhaps he was repeating sarcastically?

I have no idea what their statements contained and I never said they'd alleged he was racist (though one of them did call him such on Facebook).

The second part to that quote was a tongue in cheek dig at a case with similar allegations, nothing more.

I feel very sorry for Croft in all this and your pals should be apologising to him.

I said I knew them, not that they were my pals. I also have no idea what was in their statements. Put simply, if they lied about something, then the police should deal with that. If they didn't, then what is there to apologise for?

Very simply Oldham scored, were a bit niggly and people (you being a prnmie example) got their knickers in a twist because Croft had a go at a ballboy who deserved some sort of response albeit not quite as aggressive.

They were classless (as are many others, including some of our own at times) and I merely said that I wouldn't want to watch them every week (which you insisted I expand upon).

Don't let any of that get in the way of an opportunity to have a pop though

 

[Micalijo]

Why did the ballboy deserve some sort of response? He retrieved the ball and returned it to the field of play.

Leave it out - he stood still with it at his feet when he could have rolled it to Croft or to Blackman. Croft went to get it off him quite rightly and then just as he got there he passed it to Blackman

 

[Micalijo]

It was our throw and the ballboy had the temerity to kick the ball past Croft to Blackman. Shocking behaviour. String him up, eh Mic?

String him up? Your version of events misss the fact he stood still with the ball when he could have knocked it to Croft or Blackman much earlier. Croft did nowt wrong going to fetch the ball when quite clearly the ballboy was trying to be a clever lad.

 

[Linz]

Don't let any of that get in the way of an opportunity to have a pop though

Give over. He's got the chance to have a go at fans of the club he supports. It's his dream come true.

 

[Micalijo]

I actually said:



I have no idea what their statements contained and I never said they'd alleged he was racist (though one of them did call him such on Facebook).

The second part to that quote was a tongue in cheek dig at a case with similar allegations, nothing more.




I said I knew them, not that they were my pals. I also have no idea what was in their statements. Put simply, if they lied about something, then the police should deal with that. If they didn't, then what is there to apologise for?



They were classless (as are many others, including some of our own at times) and I merely said that I wouldn't want to watch them every week (which you insisted I expand upon).

Don't let any of that get in the way of an opportunity to have a pop though

Not having that - in my opinion you were implying/insinuating or whatever the word is that your acquaintances made a statement along the lines of Croft racially abused the lad. Why would they make a statement saying he didn't racially abuse him? You just don't do that.

 

[Micalijo]

Give over. He's got the chance to have a go at fans of the club he supports. It's his dream come true.

If you want to put it like that do so. I'd prefer to call it another very humiliating episode in the recent history of my beloved club. Still cannot believe how much Croft has wound you all up.

 

[Linz]

If you want to put it like that do so. I'd prefer to call it another very humiliating episode in the recent history of my beloved club. Still cannot believe how much Croft has wound you all up.

I can't believe how much the fans of your "beloved" club wind you up.

Nowt as queer as folk eh?