Livingston FC have handed a lifetime ban to the individual who is alleged to have spat on one of the Ross County coaching team in the dying seconds of Thursday’s play-off final, first-leg, at the Set Fare Arena.
And the West Lothian club plan to speak to the relevant authorities to ask that the ban is country-wide.
Dave Black, the Championship club’s chief executive, praised fans who have come forward to help identify the individual and revealed that Livingston have passed details on to the police who, the club say, will be investigating the incident.
Black said the Lions are “absolutely appalled by the actions of one, mindless idiot” in the home end.
And his lengthy statement, issued on the club’s website, said: “Football is undoubtedly an emotional sport, and football fans are more often than not the most passionate of all in their support for their teams.
“The highs and lows of a last minute goal, depending on what side you’re on, is always going to provoke a burst of joy at one end, and an incredible disappointment at the other. That’s the nature of the game, and that passion is why we all keep coming back week-after-week.
“However, what we witnessed in the ground (on Thursday night), which was subsequently beamed all over the country and beyond on live TV, was abhorrent, shameful and tainted what was a hard-fought, well-balanced game between two teams battling it out for a place in the top flight (the William Hill Premiership).
“We all know that there’s likely to be the odd bit of goading or verbals from opposition fans, such has been the case for as long as the game has been played, and you’ll be hard pushed to find anyone in the game, from managers to coaches to players, who wouldn’t expect that.
“What no-one should expect, or experience though, is someone approaching them from the stand and spitting in their face. The absolute lowest of the low and an utter embarrassment for the person involved.”
Black said he spoke to Steven Ferguson, CEO of Ross County, immediately after the incident, overnight via text and again on Friday morning on the phone, as well as calling County assistant manager Carl Tremarco to offer an apology on behalf of the club for the disgusting way in which he was treated.
Black added: “I know, and both Steven and Carl echoed the sentiment, that the action is absolutely not a reflection of the football club or our supporters and is entirely at the door of the culprit.
“Our thanks to a number of our own supporters who were quick to get in touch and help identify the individual, all of whom were as ashamed by what they saw, as we were.
“This has allowed us to identify the person involved and we’ve passed the details on to the police who will be investigating with a view of taking this further. We’ll also be issuing a lifetime ban to the individual and will speak with the relevant authorities required to ask for that ban to be country wide too.”
He thanked the club’s own safety and security team, as well as the stewards around the incident, who all moved quickly to help de-escalate the situation, and he added: “Credit to Carl and the rest of the coaching staff (of Ross County) for managing to stay as restrained as possible despite what had happened.
“Again, on behalf of Livingston Football Club, our sincere apologies to Carl and all at Ross County for the behaviour of the individual, regardless of being out with our control, We’re disgusted that an opposition club would have that happen to them in our stadium.”
PICTURE: Fans applaud the two teams onto the pitch at the Set Fare Arena before the play-off final, first-leg. Picture by Nigel Duncan
