False Claim - Cardiff City Football Club Refused to Donate Club Shirt for Fallen Soldier's Coffin

Outline
Protest message circulating via social media claims that Cardiff City football club refused to donate a club shirt to place in the coffin of Lance Corporal Richard Scanlon, a soldier killed in Afghanistan despite a request for a shirt from the soldier's family.



Brief Analysis
Cardiff City Football Club is indeed providing a club shirt for the soldier's service as per the family's request. The club is also paying its respects to Lance Corporal Scanlon in other ways. Apparently, a person at the club did initially refuse the request when the family contacted the club via telephone. However, this initial refusal was apparently a mistake by the staff member who took the call and club management quickly rectified the situation and apologized to the family.

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Last updated: 24th November 2011
First published: 24th November 2011
Article written by Brett M. Christensen
About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer

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Detailed Analysis
This protest message, which is currently circulating via Facebook and Twitter, claims that the UK's Cardiff City football club refused to donate a club shirt to place in the coffin of club fan Lance Corporal Richard Scanlon, who was killed while on active duty in Afghanistan. According to the message, when Lance Corporal Scanlon's family asked for a club shirt to be donated, they were told that the club said no and retorted that 'they don't do that sort of thing'. The message requests that users repost the message "far and wide" in an effort to shame the club for its refusal.

However, the claims in this protest message are unfounded. Cardiff City football club will be providing a shirt for his service. A 23rd November 2011 statement published on the club's website notes:

This weekend we are honoured to play our part in the respects being made to Richard, a Rhymney born Cardiff City supporter from the 1st The Queen's Dragoons Guards who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service. The club will be making a public address announcement this Saturday, along with a notice in our match programme, while a Cardiff City shirt is also being provided for the service following a request being made formally to the club via the SSAFA on Tuesday.

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.

It appears that some initial confusion regarding the provision of the shirt led to a misunderstanding. It has been claimed that a person at the club initially refused the request, but, on hearing about the refused request, the club's management apologized to the family via an email, noting "I am not sure when or to whom you made your phone call but I can assure you that we will be privileged, humbled and honoured to supply you with a shirt." In any case, Lance Corporal Scanlon's family has now expressed its gratitude to the club for its support:

Following consultation with the Army Press Office and the family, today we received the following.

"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."

Thus, the continued circulation of this message is inappropriate and unhelpful.



References
CARDIFF CITY FORCES STATEMENT
Cardiff City Football Club Facebook Page



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Last updated: 24th November 2011
First published: 24th November 2011
Article written by Brett M. Christensen
About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer