The police and FA are investigating a youth football team over claims managers and coaches repeatedly subbed a nine-year-old boy – because he is ASIAN.
Fehnez Khan, 44, claims her son has suffered discrimination while playing for Knowle Juniors FC in Birmingham.
Police were called after Mrs Khan claimed her son had been substituted during a match purely because of his race.
The lad’s older brother Mohysn, 22, had an altercation with other parents on the touchline over the decision and police were called.
The Birmingham FA are also probing the claims of racism at the club which was established in 1926.
The club, which runs 22 youth teams, said it “strenuously denies” the allegations saying the lad has been left on the bench for “football, not racial” reasons.
After making the claims, the family and the team’s management were called to a “clear the air” meeting organised by police on March 20 but Mrs Khan says it did not ease tensions.
She fumed: “My son is devastated and upset. He was substituted more than any other child.
“I want an apology to my son and a refund of the £160 subs I paid because the club did not benefit him.
“The club are in denial, the club’s child welfare officer said he found nothing substantiated, but no one spoke to me or my son.”
A spokesman for the club said: “We are very upset by these allegations.
“We have taken statements from nine parents, including those of an Asian player.
“They have all said this is a football, not racial, issue.
“The manager has had so much support from parents.
“Mrs Khan wants the manager and assistant removed. There is no way that is going to happen.
“There are two other children who have got less game time.
“One of our major concerns is the effect this is having on the child. He is confused, makes mistakes and, when we say something, now sees it as us getting at him.”
A Birmingham County FA official said: “We have received a complaint and are currently investigating it.”
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “We are aware of the situation and hope to resolve this locally.”
Could it just be that her son was substituted as he isn’t very good?!
If the manager was racist, he wouldn’t even play this kid in the first place, and would leave him as an unused sub, or make him be the linesman or carry the team kit bag – the fact he is being substituted more than anyone else could just mean he starts every game and isn’t fit enough to last a whole game?
Not everything is sexism / racism / I’msuingyoubecauseIwantmoney-ism – ridiculous parenting – I’d be really embarrassed if I was that poor child!!
I do feel rather sorry for that child. The over-ambitious, pushy mother has done him a lot of damage.