Dion Dublin tweets about racial abuse in Chesterfield

  • Published
Dion DublinImage source, PA
Image caption,

Dion Dublin finished the tweet by using the hashtag #RACIST

Footballer turned TV presenter Dion Dublin has spoken of his shock after being racially abused.

Dublin said he was in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, when a woman directed a racial slur at him.

The former Coventry and Aston Villa striker said it was the first time it had happened to him in about 15 years.

Fellow pundits and fans have expressed support, while Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins called the incident "appalling" and a disgrace to the town.

Dublin, 49, from Leicester, is a BBC Sport pundit and presents property programme Homes Under the Hammer.

He had been in the town filming for the show when it happened and said the abuse he received "isn't acceptable in 2018".

He tweeted: "I honestly thought we were getting somewhere but obviously not, there's still that minority that have a lack of EDUCATION & RESPECT!"

He said the abuse came from a woman in her late 20s or early 30s.

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post by Dion Dublin

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post by Dion Dublin

A representative for Dublin said he would not be commenting further.

Dublin has previously spoken about racism in football after the PFA (Professional Footballers' Association) announced plans to tackle the issue, and more recently in January following the death of Cyrille Regis.

Image caption,

Dion Dublin has presented Homes Under the Hammer since 2015

Following the tweet, thousands of people have come forward to show their support, including Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves, who replied: "Mate I am staggered. Horrible. Do not for one second think that person is anything than a complete and utter pleb."

BT Sport presenter Jules Breach also tweeted: "That's awful Dion. That sort of behaviour disgusts me. I hope you're ok mate xx"

Mr Perkins, Chesterfield's Labour MP, urged anyone who saw what happened to contact police and added: "Huge apologies to Mr Dublin on behalf of us all for the cretin that gives our town a bad name."

Other replies came from fans.

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 2 by Toby Perkins

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 2 by Toby Perkins
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 3 by Scott

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 3 by Scott
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 4 by Gavin Morris

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 4 by Gavin Morris
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Dublin played for several clubs during his career including Coventry City, Aston Villa, Cambridge United and Norwich City

A spokeswoman for Derbyshire Constabulary confirmed the presenter had not reported the racist comment to the force but said it had tweeted him and "encouraged" him to do so.

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, external, on Twitter, external, or on Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk, external.