Foreign Footballer Racially Abused In Kerala, Files Police Complaint (image- twitter/HateDetectors)
A footballer from Ivory Coast was allegedly subjected to a mob attack and racial slur at a football ground in Kerala’s Malappuram district. Dairrassouba Hassane Junior has filed a complaint to the police stating that he was stoned to the ground and assaulted by a group of fans who racially abused him.
The player was hired by the football club Jawahar Mavoor to play sevens, a football match popular in the state of Kerala that has seven players on each side of the team instead of 11.
As per the complaint filed by the player, the player’s team was leading by a goal and received a free kick. The Ivory Coast player went near the corner flag for taking the kick. The natives and audience called him monkey and one among them threw a stone at him. When he turned back, two more stones were hurled at him and the spectators hurled racial slurs at the player.
Hassan Junior further added that to save himself from the attack, he ran but was rained with blows and kicks before a couple of people came to his rescue. The video footage of the assault has gone viral on social media.
The alleged incident took place on March 10 during a five-side match in Areekode.
Hassan Junior in his complaint said that the incident hurt him mentally. “My race and I have been insulted. I was attacked because of the colour of my skin,” he said.
The player has handed over the complaint directly to the District SP office personally and has also submitted the video footage of the attack to the police. The SP after receiving the complaint has assured that strict actions will be taken against those who have brutally assaulted him and hurled racial abuse.
The complaint was then forwarded to Areekode police on Wednesday and recorded his statement for further action.
Players from African countries are a major attraction in the sevens games. Sevens matches are popular in northern districts of Kerala. The matches are usually held from November to May in front of packed crowds and makeshift galleries.
