DUNFERMLINE football club officials have reacted angrily to reports that some of their players had racially abused their own club captain, Dave Barnett, before he left the club.
Barnett claimed that he moved back to Port Vale on a three-month loan deal because he was being taunted by two team-mates who kept making racist comments. He further alleged that he was disgusted at the alleged treatment of two young black trialists at the club.
Dunfermline have said Barnett moved because he wanted to be nearer to his young daughter, and said the player had never taken his allegations to club manager Bert Paton or general manager Paul D'Mello.
Tony Higgins, of the Scottish Professional Footballers' Association, has admitted that he was aware of the accusations but said the player had not approached him during his time north of the Border. Because Barnett is now with an English club the matter is being handled by the PFA down south and their deputy chief-executive, Brendan Batson, is now making inquiries.
The racism allegations come as the SPFA were putting the final touches to the Scottish end of a European-wide anti-racism football initiative, featuring players like Arsenal's Ian Wright and Henrik Larrson of Celtic. Earlier in his Dunfermline career, Barnett took a leading part along with the then club captain Craig Robertson in a campaign against racism in sport, put together by the health workers union, Unison.
D'Mello, who is also of an ethnic background and has worked at the club for seven years, said yesterday he had been surprised and astonished on hearing of Barnett's allegations. ''The club appointed me to my position regardless of my colour and I have had no problems here,'' he said.
''Clearly, I would not have stayed if there is a problem and I can categorically say there is not. When Dave was here he never once came to me with his concerns, and as general manager I would have heard if something was going on.
''We made Dave captain during his time at the club following an injury to Craig Robertson and he took to the task magnificently.
''The only reason we let him go was on compassionate grounds after he told us he wanted to be nearer his daughter in England. Asked whether the club would be looking into what had been said, D'Mello said: ''We never received a complaint from the player when he was here and the reports do not name any person. I am confident that the allegations are false.''
Batson, said his organisation had been made aware of the claims. ''I know Dave well from his days at Birmingham and I will be contacting him.
''I have spoken to plenty of coloured players who have played in Scottish football and, as far as I am aware, the problem is no worse up there than in England.
''What disappoints me is that massive strides have been taken with the anti-racism campaign and that's why I feel hurt when allegations like these come up, because it puts the campaign back.''
Higgins' SPFA, which has been actively involved in tackling racism for six years, said his organisation remained vigilant on the issue and he would be liaising with Batson on the matter.
Barnett's former manager at Birmingham, Barry Fry, said he was stunned that the defender had complained about being racially abused at Dunfermline.
Fry said that in all the years he was manager of Barnett he could not remember him once coming to him with complaints over things allegedly said in the dressing room.
Barnett was not available for comment last night.
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