' The full inside story of what happened '

Why Cardiff City fans booed former Swansea City star Jazz Richards - the full inside story of what happened

Monday 8th August 2016

BY PAUL ABBANDONATO


Fans' representative Carl Curtis explains story of the Richards Ayatollah storm at Birmingham and points out other ex-Swans have each performed the famous gesture



Cardiff City fans have explained why they booed new signing Jazz Richards as he became embroiled in an Ayatollah controversy on his competitive debut for the Bluebirds.

The 25-year-old Wales international was jeered by travelling supporters during Saturday's 0-0 draw at Birmingham when he is reported to have refused several times to perform the famous hands on the head Cardiff ritual.

Afterwards Richards, who is from Swansea and spent eight years with Cardiff's arch-rivals, found himself the subject of an intense social media debate and his non-actions became an issue on the BBC Radio Wales after-match phone-in.

The defender, who was with Wales during Euro 2016, has yet to say why he declined to do the Ayatollah, which has become a synonymous gesture for every single new Cardiff player on their debut.

But some Cardiff fans believe his so-called refusal to acknowledge their wishes was wrong and vehemently made their views known on social media.

Others were staunchly defensive of Richards, arguing it was a fuss over nothing.


New Cardiff City signing Jazz Richards embroiled in controversy after former Swansea City star 'refuses' to do Ayatollah

Fans' representative Carl Curtis, who organises away coach travel, was one of the 1,800 Bluebirds supporters who made the trip to the Midlands to watch the team.

He gave WalesOnline his version of events, arguing Richards was asked eight times to do the Ayatollah - and even supposedly encouraged by team-mates Lex Immers and Lee Peltier.


"On each occasion it didn't happen," insists Curtis. "There has been a suggestion on the messageboard that he did actually do it once in a half and half sort of manner when defending a corner, a kind of very quick tap of the head.

"But if so I certainly didn't see that, nor did lots of others I have spoken to. And anyhow, it would need to be far more full on and obvious than that.

"We have had players who have been with Swansea previously, Jason Bowen, John Cornforth, Andy Legg. They have had no problem in doing the Ayatollah, so I hope Jazz Richards will also have no problem doing it in the future as an employee of Cardiff City FC.

"It's a tradition that we ask every debutant to do. Some foreign players don't know what it is, so have it explained to them and then they do the Ayatollah.

"We chanted for Jazz to do it seven times during the first half and also at full-time. We just wanted to then be able to chant 'Jazzy is a Bluebird, Jazzy is a Bluebird' and it's up and running... as is the case with every newcomer at our club."

Curtis explained: "We were behind the goal that Cardiff were defending in the first-half, so Richards was at our end of the pitch, so to speak.

Season ticket holder and arranger of away travel Carl Curtis outlines his disappointment at Richards
"The first Ayatollah chant of the day was right at the start of the match and directed at Paul Trollope, who was a bit further away in the dugout. He did it straight away.

"After seven minutes, there was the first "Richards, do the Ayatollah" chant. Nothing. He was nearer halfway than us at the time, although still in our half, so maybe he didn't hear?

"A couple of minutes after he was a bit closer, the chant started up again. Nothing.

"On the third occasion, when again Richards didn't do it, Immers was to his left. We can't say for certain, of course, exactly what was said between the two men. However, Immers did the Ayatollah himself, gestured and in my view it's pretty obvious he was giving Richards his guidance.

"When Richards didn't do it again, he was booed and chants of 'You Jack so and so' started. I personally didn't boo, have never done that to any Cardiff City player, but I can fully understand and appreciate why some fans did."

Curtis continued: "I counted seven times in the first half alone when we asked Richards to do the Ayatollah. On the fifth occasion, Peltier was standing by him. Once more, to me, it was obvious what Peltier was saying.


"Because Richards was at the other end of the field in the second half, we didn't ask him to do it then. But we did once more at full-time when the players walked off. Still nothing.

"I must emphasise, Richards was not booed when he was in possession of the ball. There were no question marks whatsoever about the manner in which he applied himself as a Cardiff City player during the action itself.



"Does it matter to us that he is an ex-Swansea player. Absolutely not. I will never hold against a player the fact that he played for a rival club. In fact, I was actually quite pleased and excited when I first heard Richards was joining us.

"However, the Ayatollah is synonymous with Cardiff City. If you tap your head like that, people know you're from Cardiff, are a Bluebirds fan. When someone does that, it is part of Cardiff City FC."

Curtis concluded: "I've heard people say and write that it doesn't matter that Richards refused. Fair enough, that's their view.

"But I'm one of the many who feels this is an important issue. Why? Because at matches, the fans like to be close to the players, feel we are in it together, fighting for the same cause.

"We win together, we lose together, but we're part of the same thing - and that's whether you are a player, a fan or the kit man. You want everybody to do the same thing and the Ayatollah is a fundamental part of that.

"Yes, I fully understand the players are there to win a football match and their ultimate concentration has to be on what's happening on the field of play.

"But they also have to recognise there were 1,800 fans there supporting the team at Birmingham. Richards only had to do it once, in a significant manner, not a quick half and half thing.

"If he had done, as I say, we'd have been chanting 'Jazzy is a Bluebird'. I just hope when he is asked again at the first home game, this time he responds properly."

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I heard him getting booed when he was touching the ball.

I thought this was going to be Jazz side if story or players around him-

and the beat goes on and the beat goes on

CARDIFF CITY PUT OUT FOOTAGE SAYING JAZZ RICHARDS DID SO THE

But when looked at it does not.

Media Wales

8th August 2016


The footage released by Cardiff does not actually show Richards doing the 'Ayatollah' but it does include audio that suggests he did respond in the 49th minute.





I've listened and it actually reveals fans singing Declan, but personally I could not careless.

Carl just said it himself, that supposedly Jazz did it half heartedly whilst defending a corner (though Carl says he didn't see it). Here's a question: why the FECK are we asking players to do the ayatollah whilst defending corners? Absolutely ridiculous.

No wonder our players are guilty of switching off sometimes, given its apparently expected that they do a bullshit head clap at the demand of our supporters at any point in the game. Let them concentrate on their job.

Silly as hell.

Carl just said it himself, that supposedly Jazz did it half heartedly whilst defending a corner (though Carl says he didn't see it). Here's a question: why the FECK are we asking players to do the ayatollah whilst defending corners? Absolutely ridiculous.

No wonder our players are guilty of switching off sometimes, given its apparently expected that they do a bullshit head clap at the demand of our supporters at any point in the game. Let them concentrate on their job.

Silly as hell.

Personally I could not careless, I wish as many of our fans had put this type of out cry over the rebrand.

Full story Not worth a few sentences nevermind all the threads.

So our fans asked him to do it while defending a corner!! Great idea lads hope he is great a multi tasking cos otherwise the man he's supposed to mark is going to have a field day!

Carl just said it himself, that supposedly Jazz did it half heartedly whilst defending a corner (though Carl says he didn't see it). Here's a question: why the FECK are we asking players to do the ayatollah whilst defending corners? Absolutely ridiculous.

No wonder our players are guilty of switching off sometimes, given its apparently expected that they do a bullshit head clap at the demand of our supporters at any point in the game. Let them concentrate on their job.

Silly as hell.

Personally I could not careless, I wish as many of our fans had put this type of out cry over the rebrand.

Is the correct answer. Just when you think some of the fanbase can't get any more hypocritical along comes something new.

Carl just said it himself, that supposedly Jazz did it half heartedly whilst defending a corner (though Carl says he didn't see it). Here's a question: why the FECK are we asking players to do the ayatollah whilst defending corners? Absolutely ridiculous.

No wonder our players are guilty of switching off sometimes, given its apparently expected that they do a bullshit head clap at the demand of our supporters at any point in the game. Let them concentrate on their job.

Silly as hell.

Personally I could not careless, I wish as many of our fans had put this type of out cry over the rebrand.

Is the correct answer. Just when you think some of the fanbase can't get any more hypocritical along comes something new.

Correct Phil,Our Identity was far more important, pride,dignity,passion and love for our club was destroyed then.

Full story Not worth a few sentences nevermind all the threads.

Unfortunately if that many people really feel that strongly that makes it relevant!