Livingston Football Club have formally escalated an alleged incident of racist abuse directed at striker Jeremy Bokila to the Scottish Football Association, according to manager David Martindale. The concerning episode occurred during last Saturday's Scottish Premiership fixture against Aberdeen at Pittodrie Stadium, which ended in a heavy 6-2 defeat for the visiting side.
Incident Overshadows Heavy Defeat
The match itself was dominated by Aberdeen's emphatic victory, but post-match attention has shifted to a serious off-the-ball incident involving veteran forward Jeremy Bokila. The 37-year-old former Democratic Republic of Congo international was shown a red card during the encounter for his involvement in the altercation.
Manager Martindale revealed the emotional impact on the player immediately after the game, stating that Bokila was visibly distressed in the dressing room. "The player was in tears," Martindale confirmed, adding that he would need to "try and get to the bottom of" what had transpired.
Aberdeen's Immediate Response
Aberdeen Football Club responded swiftly to the allegations, issuing an official statement acknowledging the situation. The club confirmed awareness of "an allegation that racist language was used during today's match with Livingston FC at Pittodrie."
The statement continued: "The player concerned has been informed of the allegation and vehemently denies it. Aberdeen FC condemns any and all forms of discrimination and we will co-operate fully with all relevant authorities during any investigation. While this process is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further."
Formal Process Underway
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Martindale provided an update on the situation, confirming that Livingston have now taken formal steps. "I am not, unfortunately," Martindale responded when asked if he could provide further details. "There was an incident, I think the incident is now with the SFA, and that's really all I can enlighten you with as far as I know."
The Livingston boss elaborated on the club's internal handling of the matter, revealing that Bokila has been in communication with club secretary Scott Struthers. "I just know that the incident has been referred to the Scottish Football Association," Martindale stated.
Structured Club Response
Martindale highlighted how Livingston's evolving club structure has allowed for a more systematic approach to such serious matters. "This is the beauty of the club now, and I mean this in the nicest possible way," he explained. "It's not me having to deal with this now, we've got people in the building - Scott Struthers, Dave Black, John Ward."
The manager confirmed that while dialogue has been ongoing regarding the incident, he has been deliberately kept at arm's length from the specifics. "I know there has been dialogue," Martindale noted, "but I've been kept away from that dialogue." This approach suggests Livingston are treating the allegation with appropriate seriousness and following established protocols.
The Scottish Football Association now faces the task of investigating the allegations while both clubs await developments. The incident has cast a shadow over what was already a disappointing result for Livingston, raising important questions about player welfare and the ongoing battle against discrimination in Scottish football.
