DUNFERMLINE chairman Ross McArthur has condemned “so-called supporters” for abusing players and their families.

It follows shock scenes at Firhill on Saturday when the girlfriend and sister of a Pars player were victims of abuse by “younger male supporters” after the Pars’ defeat against Partick Thistle.

McArthur said one fan had to be restrained from getting to the women and described the behaviour as “nothing less than disgraceful – and a huge embarrassment to the club,” in a statement released yesterday (Wednesday).

He revealed that in the weeks leading up to the weekend’s match a player’s family was also sent an abusive video message, which they had to delete and hide from him, with the family questioning whether he should remain at the club.

Had the video not been deleted, McArthur said it would have been a matter for Police Scotland to investigate.

While insisting the majority of fans were an “absolute credit to the club”, he lambasted those responsible for the “wholly unacceptable” behaviour which also includes:

  • Ticket office and shop staff (and volunteers) being abused.
  • Ball boys and girls being insulted.
  • Fans plugging drains in the toilet sinks at East End Park with paper towels and leaving the taps running, causing flooding to club lounges.
  • Reception area window being kicked in.

The Pars chief has now stated that “enough is enough”.

He said: “It is both regrettable and, for me, very disappointing, that I have to issue this statement on behalf of the DAFC Board – particularly as it relates only to a very, very small minority of our supporters.

“Sadly, these so-called ‘supporters’ are not only becoming increasingly divisive and seriously undermining the tremendous good work done by the majority within our fan base but have now crossed the line into the area of conduct which is wholly unacceptable.

“As I frequently acknowledge, the vast majority of our supporters are an absolute credit to our club. I would never take the loyalty and support of our fans for granted, but I am afraid that it appears that a minority of people who attend our matches are taking our club, our staff and the rest of our supporters for granted.

“This is not an attempt to distract from the fact that so far this season, results are not what any of us would have hoped for and that supporters will feel disappointed and frustrated, as I do too.

“I fully accept that I, the board and the manager are all accountable for this. However, what I will not accept is the level of abuse affecting the families of our employees including those of the players, manager and me.

“I would urge people to remember that depression and mental health problems are most prevalent within young males in this country, and clearly our club’s core staff fall within this ‘at risk’ category. Football is a particularly uncertain and fickle industry, giving rise to many challenges for young players.

"They need our support at all times, not just when they are playing well, and East End Park needs to be a positive environment for them to develop. The players representing our club are not overpaid superstars, but honest young men trying their best.

“Football is a hugely emotional game, but everyone has to think very carefully about the consequences of their actions.

He also stated: “A number of events over the last couple of months, combined with earlier incidents and culminating at Firhill on Saturday, have brought this to a head – so, quite simply, enough is enough.

"As chairman of our club, I will not stand for any of our employees being abused (on or off the field) by a small section of our own supporters, as I have a responsibility to all of our staff.

“Sadly, there has been a number of recent instances where several of our own players, the manager, the coaching staff and the directors have been routinely abused by our own supporters. It has also now spread to abusing our families too. The behaviour of a handful of people in the Dunfermline end at Firhill on Saturday was nothing less than disgraceful – and a huge embarrassment to the club.

“I am genuinely sorry for our true supporters that they have to read about, and suffer the consequences of, the behaviour of a minority, and I certainly would not tar them with the same brush.”