St. Johnstone fan handed lifetime ban for racially abusing Canadian forward Theo Bair

St. Johnstone has handed a supporter a lifetime ban for racially abusing Canadian worldwide ahead Theo Bair on Saturday.

The Scottish Premiership membership mentioned the “wholly unacceptable incident” came about final Saturday on the finish of St. Johnstone’s 1-0 loss to visiting Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park in Perth.

The 23-year-old from Ottawa, a former Vancouver Whitecap, joined St. Johnstone in January 2022.

“What happened to me on Saturday was shocking, disturbing and unacceptable,” Bair, who’s Black, mentioned in a press release. “I’d had nothing however good experiences in Perth at St Johnstone earlier than this incident.

“I’m grateful to the soccer membership for coping with this example instantly and giving me their assist. Racism has no place in our society or within the recreation of soccer. I now wish to put this incident behind me and concentrate on our recreation on Saturday towards Ross County.

“I hope people can respect my request for privacy on this matter from here on in.”

Bair, who had entered the sport within the ninetieth minute, knowledgeable membership officers of the abuse after the sport.

“We were appalled by the racist comments made to Theo on Saturday evening by a so-called supporter,” Ian Flaherty, St. Johnstone’s head of operations, mentioned in a press release. “St Johnstone Football Club strongly condemns all types of discrimination. The individual in query has been handled and given a lifetime ban. Anyone with such views just isn’t welcome at our soccer membership.

“We have given Theo our full support in what has been an extremely difficult few days for him and our support to him is ongoing.”

Bair joined the Whitecaps residency program in 2015 and went on to play 37 regular-season video games for the primary group from 2019 to 2021. He has gained two caps for Canada, scoring one purpose.

St. Johnstone (9-16-5) sits ninth within the 12-team Scottish high tier.