AC Oulu chairman addresses racist chant incident involving referee in Oulu

During a Saturday match in Oulu between AC Oulu and FC Inter, the men’s football league game was temporarily suspended in the second half after the referee, Mohammad Al-Emara, reported hearing a racist chant from the stands directed at him.

After the match, AC Oulu’s chairman, Tomi Kaismo, learned of the incident from Al-Emara and stated that the club began investigating immediately. He emphasized the need to eradicate such behavior, acknowledging the challenge in locating the perpetrator in a crowded environment. However, Kaismo confirmed that the individual has been identified and will face consequences, which may include a ban from attending games.

Kaismo expressed his understanding of Al-Emara’s frustration following a heated discussion post-game. The referee was disappointed by the existence of such chants and alleged that clubs do not take sufficient action. Al-Emara felt offended, as it seemed the clubs were turning a blind eye during a moment when clarity was sought to address the issue. He later mentioned his comments were made in the heat of the moment.

Al-Emara stressed that the responsibility for addressing these chants lies primarily with event organizers, not the referees. He criticized the current protocol that involves suspension of play followed by reporting, which often results in minimal actions taken against offenders. He advocated for having dedicated personnel in the stands to intervene and ensure that racist behavior is not tolerated in football.

The match resumed after the brief interruption, with AC Oulu ultimately securing a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Jake Dunwoody.