Offensive comments force scrapping of crowdfunding campaign to pay off Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett's contract

A crowdfunding campaign to raise money for the dismissal of Kenny Jackett has been cancelled following a number of offensive posts.
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JustGiving this afternoon stepped in to remove the page from their site on the basis it had broken guidelines.

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However, after initially attracting good-humoured comments to accompany donations, some posts became highly distasteful, referring to the likes of George Floyd, Madeline McCann and former Cardiff footballer Emiliano Sala.

It prompted Betteridge to today contact JustGiving asking for such comments to be removed – with the company instead taking down the entire page permanently.

An emailed response stated: ‘JustGiving is for good, so we cannot permit campaigns that incite, promote or enact violence, defamation, hatred or harassment of any individual or group for any reason including race, ethnic origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability’.

It’s disappointment for Betteridge who, along with friend Aaron Kalinski, agreed funds raised would be used to help Pompey in the Community’s attempts to create the John Jenkins Stadium.

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However, the money collected, almost £400 from nearly 100 people, must now be returned.

A crowdfunding campaign to raise money to cancel the contract of Kenny Jackett has been scrapped following offensive posts. Picture: Joe PeplerA crowdfunding campaign to raise money to cancel the contract of Kenny Jackett has been scrapped following offensive posts. Picture: Joe Pepler
A crowdfunding campaign to raise money to cancel the contract of Kenny Jackett has been scrapped following offensive posts. Picture: Joe Pepler

Kalinski, a Fratton Park season-ticket holder, told The News: ‘There were some offensive comments and Steve reported them, asking JustGiving to take them down. And rightly so.

‘However, they responded by shutting down the whole page as the posts had broken their guidelines.

‘There was a lot of good humour on there, some 90 per cent had put amusing posts, but unfortunately three or four were well below the belt and ruined it for the majority.

‘It’s so disappointing that some people behaved like that.

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‘This was meant to be a light-hearted way of creating awareness, showing Mark Catlin what people think about the manager, as well as raising money for a really good cause.

‘We never thought we would collect enough to sack Kenny Jackett, but the money would have helped create the John Jenkins Stadium.

‘Unfortunately, some people didn’t want a bit of fun and put up offensive comments.

‘They may not have even been Pompey fans, we’ll never know, it could be from anyone. These people may have been trying to stir up controversy.

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‘As it is, a tongue-in-cheek way of raising money is now over – which disappoints me.’

In accordance with JustGiving guidelines, donors will receive their refunds in the next 5-10 days.

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