Club Statement - Sunday 13th January 2013
Rochdale Football Club have today been contacted by Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club regarding an alleged racist comment made by a Rochdale player towards their player Gavin Hoyte during yesterday’s League Two encounter. Both Rochdale Football Club and Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club enjoy an excellent relationship and Rochdale Football Club are grateful to Dagenham & Redbridge for contacting us on this matter.
We are aware that the matter has been reported to the Metropolitan Police and the Football Association and we will fully co-operate with both authorities on this matter as well as investigating it internally.
Rochdale Football Club has a zero tolerance against racism and fully supported the “Daggers Against Racism Family Fun Day”, as well as our on-going support of the “Kick Racism Out of Football Campaign”, where as a club our players have worn the anti-racism t-shirts on at least three occasions this season, including on Saturday. We also share the disappointment of our friends at Dagenham & Redbridge that such an accusation has occurred on a day when both clubs were supporting an anti-racism day.
Rochdale Football Club reiterates its commitment to fully co-operating with the Football Association and the Metropolitan Police and will make no further comment at this time.