Exclusive by Sam Elliott
THE Football Association are investigating claims controversial manager George Borg allegedly told fans of Wingate & Finchley – a club from London’s Jewish community – that: “Hitler is going to get you.”
The ex-Aldershot and Braintree boss was sacked hours after Enfield Town‘s 3-2 Ryman Premier defeat to the north London Blues on Monday.
The referee’s report has made reference to the incident, and the governing body will now probe the assistant official’s claim.
Borg’s sacking on Tuesday had nothing to do with the result, although the club refuse to comment further.
If found guilty of making anti-Semitic comments, Borg is facing a lengthy ban from the game.
He last night admitted making a similar remark to what he has been accused of. But Borg, whose mother died of cancer three years ago, said he “just snapped” when he heard the Wingate supporters singing hurtful songs about his family.
Borg told The NLP: “I know it is not acceptable either way but I dispute the wording of what has been reported. It was out of character but there are reasons behind it that perhaps people do not know. I did not say ‘Hitler is going to get you’, but yes, I did said ‘They sound like Hitler’ with the songs they were singing.
“When I hear ‘Is your mother dead?’ and ‘Die Borgy, die’, then I challenge anyone that has seen their mother pass away in front of them to just stand there and take it.
“I can accept supporters calling me names, but when my family are in the stands I couldn’t take any more.
Sacked
“I made a comment which I am not proud of. But they are allowed to sing songs about my dead mother while staying in the ground? Sorry, not for me. I just wanted to hurt them back, I couldn’t take any more.
“I have every right to defend myself. I hope the FA see this for what it is. I said it to myself. I didn’t shout it across the pitch. Unfortunately for me, the linesman was standing four yards away and he has acted.”
Borg was ordered to sit in the stands for the second half of Monday’s game but was sacked in a meeting soon after.
“I am disappointed with Enfield,” he added. “They have painted me out to be guilty by reacting too quickly. I didn’t get the chance to defend myself.
“Let me be clear. My brother-in-law is Jewish, and I had a Jewish player in my team on Monday. I have coached in Jewish schools in America and I know my war history.
“I have no problem with any religion, race or culture. I was out of order and I would like to apologise for any offence I caused.
“Will I get a long ban? I don’t know. All I will tell people is that Mark Bosnich did a Nazi salute and still played. You need to know the facts before judging me.”
The FA are sure to react, especially in light of the recent high profile leaked text messages between Malky Mackay and Iain Moody.
An FA spokesman confirmed: “We are aware of an incident that occurred during the match between Enfield Town and Wingate & Finchley and we are investigating.”
Town have given the chance to Bradley Quinton – Borg’s former player at Braintree – and it wasn’t the only managerial upheaval in the town last week. Enfield 1893 are searching for a new boss after Paul Norris quit after a 10-1 drubbing by Haringey Borough in the Essex Senior League.
*This article first appeared in The Non-League Paper on Sunday, August 31
