This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/apr/07/dartford-jason-brown-criticises-kick-it-out-lack-support

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Dartford’s Jason Brown criticises Kick It Out for lack of support during racism trial Dartford’s Jason Brown criticises Kick It Out for lack of support in racism case
(34 minutes later)
Dartford goalkeeper Jason Brown has criticised anti-racism group Kick It Out for failing to follow through on their promise to support him after he was abused by a Bristol Rovers fan during a game last October. The Dartford goalkeeper Jason Brown has criticised the anti-racism group Kick It Out for failing to follow through on their promise to support him after he was abused by a Bristol Rovers fan during a Conference game last October.
Former Blackburn, Aberdeen and Ipswich keeper Brown, who has three caps for Wales, was verbally abused by Rovers supporter John Wild, 43, for several minutes as he stood behind the goal in Dartford’s 1-0 loss at the Memorial Stadium on 7 October. The former Blackburn, Aberdeen and Ipswich keeper, who has three caps for Wales, was verbally abused by the Rovers supporter John Wild, 43, for several minutes as he stood behind the goal in Dartford’s 1-0 loss at the Memorial Stadium on 7 October.
Wild, from Wotton-under-edge in Gloucestershire, was also ordered to complete 12 months’ community service and pay compensation to Brown after being found guilty in court on Tuesday. But despite hailing the decision as evidence of progress within the game, Brown hit out at anti-racism group Kick It Out and accused them of doing nothing to help him after making initial contact. Wild, from Wotton-under-edge in Gloucestershire, was ordered to complete 12 months’ community service and pay compensation to Brown after being found guilty in court on Tuesday. But despite hailing the decision as evidence of progress within the game, Brown hit out at anti-racism group Kick It Out and accused them of doing nothing to help him after making initial contact.
“The disappointing thing is the way the FA, the PFA and Kick It Out lobbied it but did nothing about it,” he told Kent Online. “The disappointing thing is the way the FA, the PFA and Kick It Out lobbied it but did nothing about it,” he told Kent Online. “I got the first phone call and they said: ‘We’ll support you, we totally understand you and we’ll put pressure on the police’ – but then nothing happened.
“I got the first phone call and they said ‘we’ll support you, we totally understand you and we’ll put pressure on the police – but then nothing happened.
“These so-called campaigns like Kick It Out are meant to be dealing with this kind of thing – but are they? Are they really supporting minorities against discrimination?“These so-called campaigns like Kick It Out are meant to be dealing with this kind of thing – but are they? Are they really supporting minorities against discrimination?
“I knew they weren’t but a friend of mine said ‘give them the benefit of the doubt, they’re looking to change’ – but they haven’t.” “I knew they weren’t but a friend of mine said: ‘Give them the benefit of the doubt, they’re looking to change,’ – but they haven’t.”
But Kick It Out, who work within football to promote equality and encourage inclusive practices, has responded to Brown’s concerns following Wild’s conviction at Bristol Magistrates Court. But Kick It Out, who work within football to promote equality and encourage inclusive practices, has responded to Brown’s concerns following Wild’s conviction at Bristol magistrates court.
“We are pleased to see the investigation undertaken by Avon and Somerset Police reach a satisfactory conclusion after Jason Brown was racially abused earlier this season,” read a Kick It Out statement, which said the organisation immediately informed the FA as soon as it was made aware of the incident. “We are pleased to see the investigation undertaken by Avon and Somerset police reach a satisfactory conclusion after Jason Brown was racially abused earlier this season,” read a Kick It Out statement, which said the organisation immediately informed the Football Association as soon as it was made aware of the incident.
“Paul Mortimer, Kick It Out’s Professional Players Engagement Manager, met Jason on Wednesday 8 October 2014, the day after the incident, to discuss the matter in full. “Paul Mortimer, Kick It Out’s professional players engagement manager, met Jason on Wednesday 8 October 2014, the day after the incident, to discuss the matter in full.
“Jason gave his account of the incident and Paul clearly outlined the processes we follow when an investigation is under way, which is consistent in every case of discrimination we are involved in, throughout the meeting.“Jason gave his account of the incident and Paul clearly outlined the processes we follow when an investigation is under way, which is consistent in every case of discrimination we are involved in, throughout the meeting.
“During the discussion, Paul offered the support of Kick It Out to Jason, as we do with every complainant we are in touch with, and they both agreed to a follow-up meeting.“During the discussion, Paul offered the support of Kick It Out to Jason, as we do with every complainant we are in touch with, and they both agreed to a follow-up meeting.
“When Paul subsequently attempted to arrange a date, via phone calls and text message, to discuss with Jason how we could look to assist, Jason did not respond, nor did he to another enquiry from Kick It Out.” “When Paul subsequently attempted to arrange a date, via phone calls and text message, to discuss with Jason how we could look to assist, Jason did not respond, nor did he to another inquiry from Kick It Out.”
Kick It Out said contact was maintained with the FA “to gain regular updates on the case” and, as the organisation has no formal investigative or regulatory powers, they work with the governing bodies on their processes and procedures, and liaise directly with the Police as and when required.Kick It Out said contact was maintained with the FA “to gain regular updates on the case” and, as the organisation has no formal investigative or regulatory powers, they work with the governing bodies on their processes and procedures, and liaise directly with the Police as and when required.
“We actively follow each complaint through to its conclusion, and if we are not satisfied with how a case is investigated, we will look to intervene,” the statement added.“We actively follow each complaint through to its conclusion, and if we are not satisfied with how a case is investigated, we will look to intervene,” the statement added.
“Paul’s role sees him working with players from all levels of football to offer them ongoing guidance and advice, and to ensure that we are tackling issues of discrimination effectively, as a collective, across the English game. “Paul’s role sees him working with players from all levels of football to offer them ongoing guidance and advice, and to ensure that we are tackling issues of discrimination effectively, as a collective, across the English game. We will continue to push for just outcomes for all those who may be abused, and for adequate sanctions of perpetrators.”
“We will continue to push for just outcomes for all those who may be abused, and for adequate sanctions of perpetrators.”