Former Airdrie star Rico Quitongo makes racial discrimination claim against club and director

Former Airdrie defender Rico Quitongo is making a racial discrimination claim against the club.

The 22-year-old claimed in September last year that he was racially abused by a Diamonds fan during a 0-0 draw against Queen's Park in September, but the New Broomfield club dropped an investigation into the allegation the following month, saying there was "insufficient evidence".

However, an employment tribual are now investigating the case and Quitongo - who left the club to join League One rivals in January - is being supported by PFA Scotland union and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

His claim also relates to an Airdrie club director.

Speaking to Lanarkshire Live Sport when he left Airdrie, Quitongo made the claim that "his skin didn't fit" at the club.

He said: "There are some nice, great people at the club and there are loving people at the club as well, but for some people my face doesn't fit. Or my skin doesn't fit.

"It's hard, mentally. You see stuff on social media of fans and what the club have painted a picture of me.

"When you're not treated fairly it gets taken out of your hands. It's a shame it worked out this way, but I had to leave.

"It wasn't my football performances, so it was outwith my control."

The EHRC are part funding the case through the race discrimination fund and Margaret Gribbon, solicitor at Bridge Employment Solicitors representing Rico Quitongo, said: “Rico is strongly committed to pursuing this legal claim in an effort to ensure that no other footballer experiences what he has.

"He hopes to effect much needed change, by exposing the gap between anti-racism rhetoric and the realities faced daily by footballers subjected to racist abuse and discrimination.

“He is extremely