Hull City say they are supporting goalkeeper Thimothee Lo-Tutala after the Frenchman reported an allegation of racist abuse during Colchester United’s 3-1 home loss to Walsall on Saturday.
The League Two contest was paused late in the second half after Lo-Tutala, who is on loan from Premier League City, reported alleged discriminatory comments coming from the away section of the JobServe Community Stadium.
While the match was suspended, Colchester manager Danny Cowley, Saddlers boss Lee Grant, along with referee Declan Brown, assistant referees Jon Block and Daniel D’Urso, and fourth official Ian Cooper, spoke with the 23-year-old Tigers man before the game resumed for the closing stages.
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*Everyone at Hull City sends their full support to Thimothée Lo-Tutala after the goalkeeper reported racist abuse while playing for his loan club, Colchester United,” a spokesperson for the club told Hull Live. “Discriminatory abuse of any kind is wholly unacceptable, and Hull City has a zero-tolerance policy towards anyone found guilty of such offences.”
Cowley was left angry by what Lo-Tutala reported, admitting that he felt the alleged incident was a sad indictment of where society is, but explained how the visitors dealt with the situation as well as they could, and hailed the Tigers stopper for his strength of character.
“There was something called from the away end,” the United chief said. “It’s just horrible and such a sad indictment of our society – we’re in the 21st century. Come on, we can all do a lot better than that.
“No player should be subjected to that type of abuse. It leaves such a horrible taste. Nothing against Walsall, at all. Every club will have its fair share of idiots, and Lee Grant and his staff dealt with it in a really good way, in the best way that they could, in difficult circumstances. Tim’s a good kid – what a lovely, lovely boy. “He’s a great human being, and it’s a sad indictment of society.”
Saddlers boss Lee Grant, a former Derby County goalkeeper, says the City stopper followed the correct protocols and explained that they will provide any support required, with both clubs in discussions with Essex and West Midlands police.
“He’s heard something. He wasn’t crystal clear on whether it was concrete on what he heard,” Grant told BBCWM. “But, if their goalkeeper said he has heard something that shouldn’t have been said, then it has to be dealt with – and in the way they have dealt with it.
“The goalkeeper followed protocol to a T. And the fourth official, the referee and the two linesmen were excellent. They called us over. It has to be followed in the right way. I expect he will sit down with their club staff and his manager, but we will support him and everyone fully until the process has run its course. We’d be appalled if that was the case. For me to be clear, I wasn’t there, I didn’t hear it. But that’s not to say that it isn’t factual.”
An investigation has been launched, in line with standard protocols, after a report of discriminatory language towards a Colchester United player was made,” Colchester said in a statement of their own. “Colchester United will work with Walsall FC, Essex Police and West Midlands Police to ascertain what was allegedly said and subsequently take any action necessary. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated and anyone found guilty of such offences will be subject to arrest, or a Football banning order.
“No person, in football or in our wider society, should have to be subjected to this discrimination. If you see or hear any discrimination at a football stadium, report it to the nearest steward or via the Kick It Out Reporting App. Colchester United won’t be making any further comment at this stage.”
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