COLCHESTER United head coach Hayden Mullins says the alleged racist abuse aimed at goalkeeper Shamal George in their game at Barrow was 'embarrassing' and 'sickening'.

A complaint of racist abuse, directed towards U's keeper George, was made by Colchester around the midway through the first half of their 3-2 victory in the League Two encounter, at the Dunes Hotel Stadium.

After referee Simon Mather temporarily halted the game after the abuse was reported it was formally announced by the Barrow PA system, with the message also declaring that such behaviour will not be tolerated and that any racism should be reported.

Mullins said: "It's embarrassing - I heard at half-time what it is and he has been racially abused.

"It's not nice what's been said, especially after you take the knee at the beginning.

"To hear that and it was a section of fans where you hear it from, it's embarrassing to think that we're in this day and age and that's still going on.

"It's sickening really - he said there was a cluster of people, he's looked into the crowd and he's getting racially abused.

Gazette:

"It's 2021 for God's sake - we should be moving on from that.

"He (Shamal) has reported it and rightly so.

"You come away from home and there's not much in the game and you get racially abused - it's embarrassing really.

"It's not nice but the pleasing thing for me was that Sham got his head back into the game.

"He did the right thing and reported it and it feels even better, coming up here and getting the win and going back home with the three points."

 

George went on to play his part in helping Colchester claim a 3-2 victory at Barrow.

He wrote on Twitter afterwards: 'This team What a big win that is +3 Hope the racists enjoyed that one.'