Merthyr Town appeals for information on alleged racism towards Hungerford player

Merthyr Town plays in the seventh tier of the English football pyramid

Merthyr Town Football Club has appealed to spectators for information related to an allegation of racism.

The club, from the seventh tier of the English pyramid, is investigating an alleged incident at Penydarren Park during a league match on Monday.

Hungerford Town accused a "section of the home crowd" of racially abusing defender Ramarni Medford-Smith during the Southern League Premier South game.

Merthyr said it "strongly condemns" such behaviour.

It has asked any supporter who witnessed an incident to come forward.

"The club would welcome written statements or testimonials from any supporter in or around the area where the alleged incident took place," it said in a statement.

Hungerford manager Danny Robinson said in an emotional post-match interview: "Football is irrelevant today after what my player went through with a certain section of the crowd here.

"To be racially abused in 2024 is absolutely unforgivable and something needs to drastically happen.

"I should have been stronger because I don't think we should have come out for the second half. I wouldn't have blamed him [Medford-Smith] for storming off but we were in constant dialogue with him and he wanted to play on.

"It has marred a wonderful performance by a top side."

The Martyrs won the game 3-0 to move back into the play-offs.

But the club said in a statement released after the match that it was working with match officials and Hungerford Town to deal with the alleged incident "as swiftly as possible" and would consider a lifetime ban against anyone found guilty.

It read: "Investigations into the incident are ongoing. However, as a community club, Merthyr Town FC strongly condemns the use of racist, abusive or homophobia language of any description: be that from a regular or casual supporter; at home or away.

"Such behaviour will simply not be tolerated, and appropriate action taken against any individual identified - including a lifetime ban from the club, in addition to any legal proceedings that may be instigated."

The Football Association of Wales said they were awaiting the match officials' reports from the English Football Association and would be launching an investigation into the matter.

South Wales Police have been approached for comment.