A GILLINGHAM fan has been arrested and handed a lifetime ban after directing a racial taunt at Newport star Omar Bogle.
The disgusting incident happened after Bogle had put Newport 2-0 ahead at Priestfield in their League Two clash on Saturday.
As Bogle celebrated the goal in front of the home end, the fan appeared to make a racist gesture imitating a monkey towards the Newport striker.
Video footage showed Newport players who had gone over to celebrate with Bogle cutting their celebrations short to point at the fan following the gesture.
Gills chief Joe Comper took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to say the fan had been arrested and issued with a lifetime ban from the stadium.
Comper said: “Disgusting from one individual in the Rainham End. Arrested, and a lifetime ban from Priestfield issued.
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“Can’t thank the large number of fans from around the stadium who are clearly as enraged as us. We really appreciate your support.”
A statement from Kent Police said: “A man has been arrested following a report of racist abuse at a Gillingham FC match.
“Kent Police was notified of an incident during the League Two game against Newport County on the afternoon of Saturday 28 October 2023.
“A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of a racially-aggravated public order offence and taken into police custody.
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“Officers are carrying out enquiries into any further offences which may have taken place at the match.”
Referee Tom Reeves was seen discussing the incident with Bogle and Newport captain Ryan Delaney.
He then headed to the touchline to speak to managers Keith Millen and Graham Coughlan, the fourth official and matchday steward.
A statement from anti-racism organisation Kick It Out said: “We are aware of the disgusting abuse from a fan directed towards Newport forward Omar Bogle during Saturday’s League Two match at Gillingham.
“There is absolutely no room for so-called supporters like this in football and offences such as this should be met with the strongest possible punishments.
“We send our support to Omar and remind fans that discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated. If you see it or hear it, report it.”
Today’s vile incident comes after Gillingham were slapped with a £12,500 fine from the FA in September following an investigation into racist and sexist chanting by supporters.
The League Two side were charged with three counts of misconduct between December 2022 and February 2023.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
