WSO Disturbed by Sikh Player’s Allegations of Racism at Vancouver Football League

Surrey (May 16, 2017): The World Sikh Organization of Canada is disturbed by allegations of racism made by a young Sikh player at the Vancouver Mainland Football League (VMFL). Arjun Singh Sran, 15, was subject to racist taunts and bullying during a game. Although repeated attempts have been made to have address the issue, the VMFL has failed to properly investigate or hold those responsible accountable.

Arjun Singh, a player on the Cloverdale Leopards football team was subject to racist taunts during a game on October 23, 2016 against the Coquitlam Chargers. During the game, Arjun Singh was repeatedly held back by the opposing team’s players and his complaints to the referee were ignored. During the last play of the game, Arjun Singh was again held back and was told “look at the scoreboard you f*cking terrorist”. Another player told Arjun Singh “go back to your country”. After the game, rather than acting against the players who made these racist comments, a referee told Arjun Singh “If they say something like that, you should be the better man and not say anything”.

Following the game, Arjun Singh made a complaint to the BC Community Football Association of which the VMFL is a member. The WSO also repeatedly followed up with written correspondence to both the VMFL and BCCA but to date there has been no attempt to hold those responsible for racist behaviour accountable or to speak with Arjun Singh about the incident.

Arjun Singh said, “I don’t want any other player to have to go through the racist treatment I received during the game on October 23, 2016. I tried to have the VMFL act on my complaints but they haven’t been cooperative or even asked me what happened.”

WSO Senior Policy Advisor Gian Singh Sandhu said today, “we are disappointed that such serious allegations of racism in the VMFL have not been taken seriously. It is shocking that a player could be subject to such treatment and taunts but told he should be ‘the better man’. It is incumbent on the VMFL to hold those responsible for racist behaviour accountable and to ensure that our youth have a safe and accepting place to play the game of football.”

The WSO will be working with Arjan Singh on further steps to address this issue.

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