Hibs’ midfielder Marvin Bartley has responded to a vile video circulating on social media which was apparently taken from the corner of the Main Stand at Tynecastle during Saturday’s Edinburgh derby.
The video which lasts six seconds is entitled ‘Black C***. Bartley is seen warming up in front of the Hibs’ fans whilst a male voice repeatedly calls him a ‘n****r.
The popular 32-year-old who was signed by Alan Stubbs from Leyton Orient quickly became a fans’ favourite at Easter Road.
He has played 123 times for the club and supporters have even penned a song in his honour which is regularly belted out from the singing section, even when he is on the bench.
He has taken part in 10 Edinburgh derbies and only finished on the losing side once, winning several ‘man of the match’ awards.
Hibs’ fans have taken to social media to express their support to the player.
Last night Bartley wrote on Twitter: “It has recently been brought to my attention that I was racially abused at the match on Saturday.
“I understand a young man recorded me warming up and sent the video out to his friends with the caption ‘black ****’.
“At first, the sound had been removed but having now obtained and viewed the video in full, I am shocked that he can also be heard repeatedly calling me a n*****.
“I take everything that is thrown at me, as untrue as it is when playing, and simply get on with it.
“But the one thing that I refuse to accept is racial abuse. Maybe it is time to take action against these small-minded, ignorant people. Let’s not let it creep back into our game.”
Bartley ended his tweet with the hashtag #NoToRacism.
He was previously subjected to online racist abuse two years ago when Hibs beat Hearts 3-1 in the Scottish Cup when he was called a ‘big back jigaboo’ and a f****** spearchucker.’
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
