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Michael Obafemi (file pic). Alamy Stock Photo

Police investigate racist language allegedly aimed at Ireland international Obafemi

The matter has also been discussed with the anti-discrimination group Kick it Out.

CARDIFF AND Swansea have condemned a video circulating on social media and containing racist language from the fixture between the two clubs on 2 April.

The footage appears to show a Cardiff fan inside the stadium using a racial slur at Swansea forward Michael Obafemi, who scored twice in the visitors’ 4-0 South Wales derby win.

Cardiff have reported the matter to South Wales Police and discussed the video with the anti-discrimination group Kick It Out.

“Cardiff City have spoken at length with Kick It Out on the matter, have passed evidence on to South Wales Police and will fully support their investigations,” the Sky Bet Championship club said in a statement.

“The club is disgusted by the deplorable, stomach-churning language and stands by football’s commitment to stamping out such abhorrent behaviour.

“There is no place for it in our sport or society.”

South Wales Police has confirmed the matter is being investigated.

A statement from the force said: “South Wales Police is aware of footage circulating on social media from Cardiff City’s home fixture against Swansea City at The Cardiff City Stadium on April 2.

“Enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information, or the individual himself, is urged to contact South Wales Police quoting occurrence *140557.”

Obafemi’s Swansea colleague Joel Latibeaudiere shared the video on his Twitter account and said: “Disgraceful, @CardiffCityFC should ban this fan immediately.

“Social networks do nothing online, but this is someone who’s easily identified. Ban him!”

Latibeaudiere accompanied his post with the hashtag ‘NoRoomForRacism’.

Swansea players both past and present have been the subject of racial abuse.

Last year Swansea were the first EFL club to boycott social media during a seven-day protest against online abuse.

A club statement said: “Swansea City Football Club is aware of a video circulating on social media from the fixture against Cardiff City on 2 April..

“We wholly condemn the abhorrent language used and we are actively working with South Wales Police and Cardiff City with their enquiries.

“There is no place for such behaviour in society, let alone football, and as a club, we will unequivocally support our players and staff to help eradicate all forms of discrimination from the game.”

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    Mute Tricksy
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    Jun 26th 2021, 8:01 PM

    It’s a sign of the times we live in .

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    Mute thomas walsh
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    Jun 26th 2021, 8:10 PM

    That person with the sign should be arrested for assault

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    Mute Thomas O' Donnell
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    Jun 26th 2021, 9:15 PM

    @thomas walsh: Assault?

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    Mute thomas walsh
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    Jun 26th 2021, 9:35 PM

    @Thomas O’ Donnell: they hit the rider with a sign causing injuries. That’s assault

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    Mute Kevin Norris
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    Jun 26th 2021, 9:42 PM

    @thomas walsh: bit dramatic. From the footage I saw, woman holding sign (stagnant and made of cardboard) and looking the opposite direction, into which the rider cycled.

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    Mute Kevin Bury
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    Jun 26th 2021, 10:36 PM

    @Kevin Norris: she was at a bike race and caused a crash…because of her being a spanner…fair play to tour of france..people should be accounable for their actions….

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Jun 26th 2021, 11:19 PM

    @Kevin Norris: you left out the bit where she was on the road and the only path for the rider was straight ahead.

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    Mute thomas walsh
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    Jun 26th 2021, 11:40 PM

    @Kevin Norris: she was completely reckless and only thinking of herself. People were injured because of her selfishness. She should pay the price

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    Mute Kevin Norris
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    Jun 26th 2021, 11:44 PM

    @Kevin Bury: i was commenting on whether I would describe it as assault or not.

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    Mute Kevin Norris
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    Jun 26th 2021, 11:44 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: again – assault?

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    Mute Kevin Norris
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    Jun 26th 2021, 11:46 PM

    @thomas walsh: again – assault?

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    Mute Anthony Doyle
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    Jun 27th 2021, 12:55 AM

    @Kevin Bury: don’t know much about French law but what could charge her with?
    Assault Battery Negligence or what?

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    Mute Anthony Doyle
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    Jun 27th 2021, 12:56 AM

    @Kevin Bury: don’t know much about French law but what could you charge her with?
    Assault Battery Negligence or what?

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    Mute seanieP
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    Jun 27th 2021, 12:57 AM

    @Kevin Norris: yes assault here in irelamd anyway
     a person shall be guilty of the offence of assault who, without lawful excuse, intentionally or recklessly—
    (a) directly or indirectly applies force to or causes an impact on the body of another, or

    Reckless would cover it

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    Mute thomas walsh
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    Jun 27th 2021, 2:03 AM

    @Kevin Norris: yes did I stutter? Assault. Where people not injured? Did she cause these injuries? That my friend is assault

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    Mute guineon
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    Jun 27th 2021, 5:44 AM

    @thomas walsh: sorry but the video is quite clear. She was standing on the road and the cyclist crashed into her? Cyclist should have avoided her

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    Mute Mark Sheehan
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    Jun 27th 2021, 9:38 AM

    @seanieP: sure that’s so ambiguous it could mean that the woman involved could sue the cyclist, standing on a public road, if they want to sue then the roads should be closed to the public.

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    Mute seanieP
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    Jun 27th 2021, 9:38 AM

    @guineon: ah come on now. There was a race she was well aware of happening and shouldn’t be in the road. It’s her recklessness.
    Would you apply the same logic if someone popped out in front of usain bolt with a sign on the track mid pelt and he ran into them. Bolts fault I guess….. he should have just hurdled her.

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    Mute seanieP
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    Jun 27th 2021, 10:06 AM

    @Mark Sheehan: what’s ambiguous? The definition of assault?
    Was the the cause of impact intentional or reckless by the cyclist ? I never made comment on whether someone should be sued. I chimed in over a debate on assault.

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    Mute seanieP
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    Jun 27th 2021, 10:18 AM

    @Mark Sheehan: also do all public roads need to be physically closed off to pedestrians.
    Regardless of a race or not should people be standing in them wether or not they are ‘public’? The m50 is a public road sure go stand on that with a sign. Might try and sue the motorist if survive.

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    Mute Shane Canning
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    Jun 27th 2021, 1:34 PM

    @thomas walsh: typical social media two babies having a fight lol

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Jun 27th 2021, 8:02 PM

    @guineon: how, the only path he could take was straight ahead as seen by the fact that when he went a few inches to the left he collided with other cyclists. Other cyclists that were meant to be there i might add.

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    Mute John O Reilly
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    Jun 26th 2021, 8:09 PM

    Sue her for the millions she has…..some chance

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    Mute Anthony Doyle
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    Jun 27th 2021, 12:48 AM

    Whatever the sign said it should be tattooed on her forehead

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    Mute Robert Conneely
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    Jun 27th 2021, 9:28 AM

    @Anthony Doyle: it’s says “Go Grandma and Grandpa”

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