FOOTBALL bosses have pledged to investigate an accusation of discriminatory language used against a Harlow-based refugee football team.

Changing Lives FC play in Division 3 of the Essex Alliance League .

On Saturday, they beat Romford Flyers 4-0 at their home ground in Ladyshot.

But after the game, boss David Simmons published the following complaint on their X (Twitter) platform.

David alleges that a Romford Flyer said to a Changing Lives player “Where’s your passport?”

He added: “I think it is disgusting. I hope something is done about him.”

YH has spoken to the chairman of the Essex Alliance League, who has pledged to look at the allegation.

We also spoke to the boss of Romford Flyers, who also indicated that he would co-operate.

Changing Lives FC were founded in 2018. Up until last year they played in the Harlow and District League. Their time there was punctuated with complaints of racism and discrimination.

In 2020 the SportSpiel website (following an interview with Mr Simmons) approached the Harlow and District Football League for a statement in relation to incidents of racism and discrimination.

League secretary, Alvyn Charles, said: “I am deeply saddened to hear that Mr Simmons has made these comments about the racism his team has experienced. 

“The two incidents that have been brought to my attention by Mr Simmons were deemed on both occasions to not be of a racist content. As HDFL is a multi-cultural league, if there were any forms of racism we instruct all teams that if/when it occurs we have procedures in place and always have informed the Essex FA who themselves would conduct their own investigation.”