Wolves midfielder, Romain Saiss, has spoken out following his altercation with Jonjo Shelvey last year, which saw the NUFC midfielder banned for five games after using racially abusive language.
The incident occurred in the 2-0 defeat to Wolves at St.James’ Park in September, seeing Jonjo Shelvey banned for five matches, fined £100,000 and ordered to attend a FA education course after being found guilty of racially abusing the Wolves midfielder that day.
It is claimed that Shelvey made reference to Saiss’ ethnicity, with the hearing concluding that an “ill-tempered outburst of offensive language” contained the term “Arab” or “Arabic” “c***” or “p****” towards the Moroccan. It must be said, however, that the exact wording was never fully determined.
Saiss recently spoke out in an interview with the Express & Star, where he said the following:
“Just after it was difficult. I don’t read the press, when I finish training I stay at home with my family and let the football out.”
“I think the FA did their job and now for me it’s finished. I’m okay and smiling (now).”
Saiss then went onto explain that the incident occurred during his first game in England – which can’t have been an easy beginning to life in a new country:
“I think this word has no place in football or life,”
“England is a big country with more nationalities and there is no problem.”
“I remember this game, a big game.”
“After, with this, it’s more difficult for some weeks because I had just come in England, my first game I have one problem.”
“This is life maybe, sometimes, we have this problem.”
Saiss is right. There is no place in football or any walk of life for this sort of behaviour and we sincerely hope that Jonjo has learned from his actions.
From what I can gather Saiss acted with integrity throughout the furore over this incident. He was a credit to himself and to the club.