12/05/2014

Footballer Suspended Over Oscar Knox Tweet

A teenager who plays for the youth team at Portadown Football Club has been suspended following a derogatory comment he made about the death of Oscar Knox, the five-year-old boy from Mallusk, County Antrim, who died last Thursday after a long battle with cancer.

The Portadown Youth Player made the comment on Twitter and has since been named by the club as Michael Bunting.

"This behaviour is totally unacceptable to everyone at Portadown FC, as we share the grief and loss of this tragic young lad's short life," a statement from the club said.

On Saturday, Michael Bunting issued his own statement through the club, after deleting his Twitter account.

"I would like to issue a public apology on behalf of myself over an incident on social media yesterday were I made a cruel comment under a friends post about the death of Oscar Knox," it said. "First & foremost I would like to apologise to the Knox family & to my parents, friends, family & Portadown FC.

"I have caused a lot of pain & suffering to the Knox family, my parents & those at Portadown FC. I made a severe error of judgement & understand people's anger. I'll suffer the consequences of my actions & again I'm truly sorry."

Portadown FC said: "Portadown Football Club wishes to offer their sincere apologies to the Knox family, following a comment made by a Portadown Youth player on twitter today.

"The player concerned has been suspended from the Club pending further investigations. A further statement will be issued in due course."

'Wee' Oscar Knox's life was celebrated at a funeral mass in County Antrim on Sunday at St Bernard's Church in Glengormley, ahead of a private cremation.

(IT)

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