Scottish soccer player retires at half-time after alleged suicide taunt by opponent
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Albion Rovers striker David Cox hung up his boots at half-time of his side's 1-0 win at Stenhousemuir on Thursday after accusing an opponent of taunting him over his mental health struggles.
Cox, who was a substitute, left the stadium prior to the start of the second half after being allegedly taunted about his mental health by Stenhousemuir captain Jonathan Tiffoney.
Back in 2019, the 32-year-old opened up to Sky Sports News about his struggles with depression, bravely admitting he has tried to kill himself in the past.
In a video on his official Facebook page, the 32-year-old lifted the lid about the incident at Ochilview.
The second half is just starting, Albion Rovers and Stenhousemuir. I have left the staidum.
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. Obviously I wasn't playing (but)... 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 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. Same s*** we're talking about all the time, we talk about racism and the personal issues that get brought up in football, but if 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.
The former Kilmarnock youth player was on the verge of retiring from the sport in January before joining Rovers in March.
It wasn't of the reasons I wasn't going back to football, I did in January but I'm done with it.
Because I either keep playing and I'm going to batter somebody on the park, which will result in me being the bad one.
Once he was called out on it he knew what he said and tried to deny it.
Nothing gets done about it, nothing is going to get done about it. Football is full of s**** with the things that they say and it's going to continue to happen.
So, aye, I'm done. Hanging the boots up for good. I've just walked away there, I'm off in the middle of the game. I'm not doing it.
The Wee Rovers have since released a statement on the incident.
The health, safety and well-being of everyone associated with Albion Rovers is of paramount importance to us.
Football is a place for all and we believe is should be enjoyed without fear, favour or prejudice.
We are aware of an alleged incident that occurred during this evenings match and have been in touch with David Cox to offer our unconditional backing and support.
Meanwhile, Stenhousemuir said in a statement that they had asked the Scottish FA compliance officer to investigate the incident.
The club is aware of a verbal altercation that took place between players from both Stenhousemuir and Albion Rovers.
We have spoken to the players involved, David Cox of Albion Rovers and Jonathan Tiffoney of Stenhousemuir.
Both players are making claims of serious and wholly inappropriate comments being made during the game that have implications for player wellbeing and mental health.
Whilst we accept that things can get said during a game, we believe the allegations are sufficiently serious enough to merit a more detailed investigation.
We will therefore be referring this to the Scottish FA and will work with them and our colleagues at Albion Rovers to investigate the incident.
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