SM
Portsmouth vs. Millwall: 16 hrs 6 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

SFA launches investigation over alleged David Cox mental health taunt

:Headline: SFA launches investigation over alleged David Cox mental health taunt:
The striker has spoken openly in the past about his mental health struggles, including a suicide attempt.
Sports Mole

The Scottish Football Association has launched an investigation after Albion Rovers striker David Cox retired mid-match, claiming he had been subjected to an alleged taunt about a suicide attempt.

The opposition player at the centre of the controversy, Stenhousemuir's Jonathan Tiffoney, has denied the allegations.

Substitute Cox, who has spoken openly about his mental health struggles including an attempt to take his own life, walked out of Ochilview during the Scottish League Two clash on Thursday night.

The 32-year-old declared himself finished with football, having previously vowed to walk off the field if taunts over his mental health continued.

Stenhousemuir referred the incident to the SFA and the governing body has confirmed a probe is under way. The investigation will be led by compliance officer Andy Phillips, who is set to speak to both players, match officials and clubs.

Cox outlined his feelings in a video posted on social media.

Sitting in a vehicle with his Rovers tracksuit on, Cox said: "The second half is just starting, Albion Rovers and Stenhousemuir. I have left the stadium.

"I wasn't playing tonight, I was on the bench, one of the boys on the Stenny team... we were having a wee bit of to-and-fro on the bench and they had a wee go at my mental health. Told me I should have done it right the first time.

"So I promised myself the next time it happened I'd walk off the park... I am done with football. Completely.

"Some folk might not think it's a big deal, I'm f*****g fed up listening to it. Don't get paid enough for it and if they'd put me on the park I'd probably have broken the boy's legs, deliberately.

"I tried to speak to the referees about it, they didn't want to know because they didn't hear it. It's the same s*** we're talking about all the time, we talk about racism and the personal issues that get brought up in football, because it's not heard by officials or whatever there's nothing they can do about it.

"So I'm going to do something about it and for me it's leaving the game. I'm done with it."

Former Alloa player Jonathan Tiffoney has denied the allegations

Tiffoney described reports that he attacked Cox's mental health as "simply untrue".

In a statement released through his lawyers, Bannatyne, Kirkwood, France and Co, on Friday, Tiffoney added: "Throughout the first half of the game, I was subjected to abuse and disparaging comments from the Albion Rovers dug out. I did not react to these.

"David Cox, who was a substitute and not playing, was booked by the referee for entering the pitch and abusing me. I did not abuse him. His abuse of me took place in front of the linesman. Had I made the comment, which it has been said that I made, then it is inconceivable that it would have not been heard by the linesman.

"Having been personally subjected to disparaging and hurtful remarks as a player for many years, I condone any such practice.

"I would never attack another player's mental health or wellbeing and will fully cooperate with the Scottish FA investigation into this matter."

Rovers offered Cox their "unconditional backing and support" after the "unforgiveable incident".

After speaking to both players, Stenhousemuir stated that each were making claims of "serious and wholly inappropriate comments..... that have implications for player wellbeing and mental health".

In a fresh statement on Friday, the Larbert-based club said: "Serious allegations have been made and they must be fully and robustly investigated.

"Following discussions with the Stenhousemuir player involved, he will take a leave of absence until the investigation is concluded."

A number of Cox's former clubs, including Airdrie, Forfar, Peterhead and Annan, gave him their public backing in the wake of the incident, along with other Scottish football figures such as former Celtic striker Chris Sutton.

body check tags ::

amp_article__445468 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-04-30 13:16:29:
html db last update - 2021-04-30 13:16:29 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about David Cox

Click here for more stories about Stenhousemuir

Share this article now:
SJ
Read Next:
Tommy Wright hails Kyle Lafferty influence after cup hat-trick
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about David Cox Jonathan Tiffoney Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Tommy Wright hails Kyle Lafferty influence after cup hat-trick
Man United 'growing confident' of agreeing Dorgu deal
Cherry picking: Chelsea 'really appreciate' Bournemouth star as release clause 'revealed'
Edinburgh City claim first win of the season against Stenhousemuir

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arbroath2010463123834
2StenhousemuirStenhousemuir229582924532
3Queen of the SouthQotS229582425-132
4Cove Rangers219483425931
5Kelty Hearts218762819931
6Alloa AthleticAlloa227872825329
7Montrose216782123-225
8Annan AthleticAnnan2256112039-1921
9Inverness Caledonian ThistleInverness229762624219
10Dumbarton215792741-147
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Liverpool vs. Lille: Head-to-head record and past meetings

1

LV

Preview: Barcelona vs. Atalanta - prediction, team news, lineups

2

PB

Walker opens up on uncomfortable Guardiola exit talks

3

WO

Man City reject McAtee loan offer as Leverkusen turn focus to Villa attacker?

4

MC

Preview: Girona vs. Arsenal - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PG

Nwaneri starts, is Odegaard fit? Predicted Arsenal XI vs. Girona

6

NS

Preview: Man City vs. Brugge - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PM

Preview: Brest vs. Real Madrid - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PB

Update on Olmo's availability: Barcelona injury, suspension news vs. Atalanta

9

UO

Will Pedri be fit to start? Predicted Barcelona XI vs. Atalanta

10

WP


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .