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RACISM ALLEGATIONS: Two coaches at club have resigned after being accused of racially abusing youth team players (PA)

LEAGUE ONE club Notts County is now at the centre of a new racism controversy after youth team players accused two coaches of racially abusing them.

Statements from the youth team players, both ethnically black and white, allege their coaches Brett Adams and Lee Broster used derogatory language and acted in a racist manner.

Both men have since resigned from the club.

Adams, is reported to have thrown a banana at one player with the words “f**k off” written on it, before telling the youngster to “f**k off and eat it.”

Broster, according to reports, told players listening to rap music in the changing room: “No wonder you black lads always go around stabbing people when you listen to music like that.”

He is also been accused of walking into a room, switching off the lights and then saying: “Make sure you black lads smile so I can see you.”

The club is said to have carried out its own internal investigation after the incidents took place last month, but its response has been deem “not fit for purpose” by anti-racism campaigners.

RESIGNED: Adams, left, and Broster have both parted company from Notts County since racism allegations against them emerged

Human rights barrister Peter Herbert, a leading figure in the Race for Football campaign that tackles bigotry in the sport, told The Voice: “Sadly the allegations don’t shock me. What is more shocking is that it happened in an educational environment, where these people had a duty of care to children.

“It looks like neither Notts County nor the Professional Footballers’ Association are fit for purpose when it comes to dealing with race issues.

“If it’s found to be substantiated, these coaches need to be banned from football. If the bullying and racism are widespread and serious then you’re talking about a lifetime ban.”

The chair of the Society of Black Lawyers added: “Notts County [need to] be put under the microscope about what their response was, because from what we know is that they dealt with it by way of a resignation, wished them all the best for their future and thanked them for their services to the club.

“It’s not that impressive.

“[This incident] underlines why there is a need for the campaign, because we appear to be the only people really campaigning effectively against hate crime at the moment.”

Herbert said he has made an official complaint to Nottinghamshire police, who confirmed they are in the early stages of an investigation.

As of yet, Notts County failed to respond when contacted by The Voice, they have only released a short statement that read: “Brett Adams and Lee Broster have resigned from their positions at the club as Youth Coach and Lead Foundation Coach respectively.

“We thank them for their service and wish them every success for the future.”

NOT IMPRESSED: Peter Herbert has criticised Notts County for its handling of the matter

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