Shaq Forde: Bristol Rovers 'furious' by racist abuse directed at striker after match against Reading

Bristol Rovers are “furious” over racist abuse directed at striker Shaq Forde after Saturday’s Sky Bet League One match against Reading.

Forde was attacked on Instagram after being sent off in the second half of his team’s 1-0 defeat at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Rovers said the message, which was highlighted by 20-year-old Forde and some of his teammates, contained “offensive and racist language”.

The club, which plans to support a police investigation into the matter, said it is fed up with “the racist behavior that is ruining the sport”.

Sky Sports News has contacted Thames Valley Police for comment.

“Shaq is not the only Bristol Rovers player to experience racist abuse, with an incident only being investigated last week,” said a statement on the club’s website.

“Even more sickening is that some of these messages come from individuals claiming to be Bristol Rovers supporters. Each time the club has tried to do the right thing.”

Forde was sent off in the 55th minute for a second bookable offense after kicking the ball away.

Rovers said the “same old methods of ‘fighting’ racism” – the “carefully crafted press releases and saturated social media posts” – “don’t work.”

“Enough is enough,” the statement continued.

“Our supporters – our true supporters – are tired of being associated in any way with those ‘fans’ who comfortably send such disgusting messages. We will not tolerate it.

“To the person who sent Shaq this racist message, and to anyone who claims to be a Gashead and engages in similar deplorable behavior, we simply say this: you are not a Bristol Rovers fan. You are not welcome in Memorial Stadium. We don’t want your support.”

Reading also expressed support for Forde and condemned the abuse.

“We will work with Saturday’s visitors to ensure the perpetrator is identified and evidence is provided to the relevant authorities,” a statement from the club said.

“No individual, on or off the field, should be subjected to such abuse. We stand with you, Shaq.”