GLASGOW Warriors management has urged visiting Exeter Chiefs fans to avoid Native American headdresses in an upcoming match in the city.

The Glasgow rugby club and the English team are due to clash at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday, December 18.

The team’s managing director Al Kellock released a statement on Monday morning, encouraging the Exeter supporters to not wear the traditional dresses and abstain from chanting.

This, says the club, is “out of respect for the Native American community”.

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The statement read: “Following the pool stage draw, we set up a working group to understand and educate ourselves on this sensitive issue and gather the views of our supporters, representatives from the Native American community, the competition organisers, and Exeter Chiefs themselves. 

“During this period, several supporters asked that we ban headdresses and the ‘Tomahawk Chop’, and in October the Scottish Rugby Blog wrote an open letter reiterating these calls."

It continued: “Today, Glasgow Warriors are asking visiting fans from Exeter Chiefs not to attend the game on Saturday with faux Native American headdresses or chant the ‘Tomahawk Chop’ during the match. 

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“We are making this request out of respect for the Native American community around the world, whose views on the use of their imagery and cultural heritage we support, and the Glasgow Warriors supporters who have called for us to act on this matter.

“Glasgow Warriors is a welcoming club, that celebrates inclusivity and diversity and by making this call for action we want to live up to these values and stand up for the views of our supporters.”

“It is also important to acknowledge the branding journey that Exeter Chiefs themselves are on following their recent AGM, and for us to be considerate of that.

“The club has informed Exeter Chiefs and European Professional Club Rugby of our request and has the full support of Scottish Rugby on taking this position.”

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The headdress is part of the team’s branding and has come under fire before, with calls from fellow Premiership club Wasps and the National Congress of American Indians to drop the costumes and logo in recent months.

Exeter Chiefs have been contacted for comment.