Following an incident of racist abuse in the reverse fixture this season the club will be playing this game behind closed doors.

As with all incidents of physical and verbal abuse the club followed the correct reporting procedures with the authorities but are disappointed that the lack of action resulted in our players feeling unsafe and so unwilling to play this game. After discussions with team managers and players a list of conditions was identified that, if agreed with the opposition, the game could go ahead. Playing behind closed doors was one of those conditions.

The club have been happy throughout the process to support whatever decision the players wished to take regarding the game irrespective of potential punishment from the football authorities. This decision was taken to provide them with the protection they should be able to expect from the football authorities. It should not fall to individual clubs and their players to have to take the lead.

It is clear from this incident and others like it that the processes and policies in place are woefully inadequate and there is both an inability and a reluctance to deal with many serious abusive situations that occur with players or fans.

As a result not only will we continue to pursue the authorities on this individual case but also push for a change in how fast and how seriously these incidents are dealt with. This incident is not resolved which is why we are not commenting on the detail of what occurred on the day or since.

Fans among you who have read past columns regarding the incidents this season will know that we do not believe words are enough, it is not enough to condemn racism and other forms of abuse, it is action that is required if we are to remove it from our game.

This season has seen a worrying increase in incidents at matches, urgent action is needed to reverse that trend. Authorities that have taken no action between the two fixtures despite constant chasing have demonstrated they are part of the problem.

We will continue to work with positive influences and organisations in the game and increase our efforts to test and then hopefully help improve the rules and policies of the game so those failings can be addressed.