Cops have launched a hunt for racist teen yobs who called a footie coach the N-word in front of youngsters.
The Paisley Daily Express previously reported how the 38-year-old man was subjected to vile abuse as he took a summer football camp session at Park Mains High School in Erskine.
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Now police have started an official probe into the incident and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
The incident happened on the final day of a two-week training camp for youngsters aged between five and 12.
A group of teens gathered near the pitches and started shouting and swearing in earshot of the kids.
When the coach asked them to stop, at around 3.45pm on Friday, July 16, he was subjected to a tirade of racist abuse from the feral gang.
Police Scotland are appealing for information in a bid to identify the suspects.
Inspector Tracy Harkins, deputy area commander for Renfrewshire, said: “The victim was subjected to extreme racist abuse. This is behaviour which will simply not be tolerated.
“If you have any information in relation to this incident, which we are treating as a hate crime, then we would urge you to phone police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The Express previously reported how local Conservative councillor Tom Begg condemned the abuse.
He added: “This sort of abusive language has no place in our society.
“The coach will clearly have been shaken by hearing this word being used.
(Image: Andrew Neil)
“The very least those responsible should do is immediately apologise to him and it can only be hoped that this sort of incident never happens again.”
The football camp was run by Renfrewshire Leisure Sports Services in partnership with the Scottish Football Association.
A spokesman for Renfrewshire Leisure said: “This was an abhorrent and disgraceful incident and we will not tolerate members of our staff, or anyone taking part in our activities being racially abused.
“Our priority is to support the member of staff who was a target of the racist abuse, and we are liaising with the local community police team.”
