Cardiff City Football Club has said it will be donating a shirt for the funeral of Lance Corporal Richard Scanlon after one of its staff allegedly said the club “didn’t do that sort of thing”.
People took to internet forums, Facebook and Twitter to express their anger at the club after a member of staff was said to have mistakenly told a friend of the family that it would not be donating a shirt to the funeral of the Rhymney soldier.
Lance Corporal Richard Scanlon, of the 1st The Queen’s Dragoons Guards, was killed in Afghanistan last week alongside colleague Lt David Boyce. The 31-year-old was a huge Cardiff City supporter.
His body is being flown home on Thursday and will be repatriated at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire at around 3pm.
However, the football club has put the row down to “confusion” and has issued a statement on its website.
It reads: “In the matter of social media and developing media speculation and confusion concerning the provision of the shirt, we would like to reaffirm the point that this was put into action via established channels and procedures.
“We collectively feel privileged, honoured and humbled to do so, with Cardiff City remaining a strong supporter of the military and the many brave individuals serving their country around the world.”
The club said an invitation has been extended to the 1st The Queen’s Dragoons Guards on their return. A notice about Lance Corporal Scanlon will be in the next match programme and a public announcement will also be made.
Following consultation with the Army Press Office and the family, the club also received the following statement: “The family of Lance Corporal Richard Scanlon would like to express their gratitude to Cardiff City FC for its support at what is a very difficult time. The club has always been very generous in its recognition of the Armed Forces.”
Cardiff City Chief Executive Alan Whiteley said: “The sad loss in Afghanistan puts matters into perspective and Cardiff City Football Club offers sincere condolences to the families affected. I am sure all connected with the club will join me in offering our appreciation and respect for the Armed Rorces. Our thoughts are with the families of both Richard and David.”