Michael Mossie, 18, of Beechwood Road, Tarbolton, and four others deny assaulting Turkish man Bunyamin Oz, 40, in the village on September 7.

The ex- Rangers under 17 player also pleaded not guilty to kicking and punching Mr Oz’s wife – Suzanne, 42, at the couple’s home in Bard Drive.

An Ayr United spokeswoman said: “Michael Mossie has been suspended until the outcome of the trial.” Mossie – who has been recently listed as playing with Girvan FC - appeared in the dock at Ayr Sheriff Court last week along with the other villagers accused of the attack.

Stephen Morrison, 22, of Smithfield Crescent, Nanette Luni, 47, of Beechwood Road, Josephine Frew, 41, of Beechwood Road, and Collette Robb, 18, of Beechwood Road, deny all charges alongside Mossie.

On Wednesday they pleaded not guilty to seizing Mr Oz by the throat, knocking him to the floor and kicking and punching him on the head and body to his injury in a racially aggravated attack.

The five also deny knocking Mrs Oz to the floor and kicking and punching her while she lay there – causing her injury.

Morrison also denies banging on the door of 28 Beechwood Road on August 14, shouting and swearing, assaulting Brian Wallace, punching and kicking Zoe Wallace and breaking a window.

Ayr United runs a high profile respect campaign featuring top players – dubbed Show Racism the Red Card.

Youngsters playing with the club’s Football Academy undergo training to promote equality and respect.

Ex rangers professional Derek Ferguson and former Aberdeen and Dundee United player Robbie Winters have been involved in encouraging the young Ayr boys to challenge racism.

First team player Michael Donald has also been involved in talking to the junior teams about prejudice.