Maal subject to racial abuse in Estonia

The 2012/2013 Estonian Meistriliiga league football season got off to a shocking start at the Sportland Arena on Saturday when FC Levadia fans shouted racist monkey sounds at a black football player.

Former Gambia international midfielder, Yankuba “Maal” Ceesay, 27, whose signing for Estonian club JK Nõmme Kalju was reported by Gambia Sports Online on Thursday, marked his debut for the club in its opening league game against MTÜ SK FC Levadia Tallinn.

Maal was introduced in the 46th minute as he replaced Tanel Melts. After his introduction, Levadia fans started making some monkey noises in the 65th and 73rd minutes which were directed at the Gambian player. Fireworks were lit in protest to Maal’s presence in the field of play.

Meanwhile, the disciplinary committee of the National Football Association said it will review the incident on Thursday.

The press representative of Levadia, Indrek Petersoo, said in an interview that he had been in the crowd and had witnessed the detestable situation from up close.

“On behalf of Levadia, there is nothing more to be said other than that we are truly ashamed of the actions of this group of people,” said Petersoo. “Such hooliganism is harmful for the football club. We spoke to some of the fans before the season began to make understood the actions that are and are not acceptable in the stadium.”

He continued, “It was sad to see that this was not made clear. On our behalf, we would like to apologize to the Nõmme Kalju player [Yankuba Ceesay] who was definitely insulted. We will do everything we can to see to it that such incidents are not repeated in the future.” Petersoo also said that Levadia would take disciplinary measures against the offending fans.

The game ended goalless at the Sportland Arena with 293 fans in attendance. Referee Hannes Kaasik issued two yellow cards in the game. The draw leaves Maal and his Kalju at 4th in the 10-team-table with just a point and will face JK Tallinna Kalev next.