Police are investigating a report of racial abuse during Millwall's Championship game against Swansea City on Tuesday. The abuse is alleged, and no arrests have been made.
The match was paused in the second half while referee Edward Duckworth held long discussions with both sets of coaches. A stadium announcement at The Den confirmed there had been alleged racist chants and that police would use CCTV to try to identify any offenders.
What Swansea and Millwall said
Swans head coach Vitor Matos later said the chants were aimed at South Korea winger Ji-sung Eom, who was warming up with the other substitutes beside the pitch when the game stopped. Eom has two goals in seven Championship appearances this season.
The Metropolitan Police said officers swiftly engaged with witnesses to gather statements. "No arrests have been made and enquiries remain ongoing," it said. Millwall said it was aware of an alleged, individual incident of discriminatory abuse towards a Swansea player and was supporting the police investigation. The club operates a zero-tolerance policy, it added, and anyone found to have taken part would face the strongest possible action.
Matos praised the way it was handled. "The referee followed the protocol for these sort of situations, they did the right thing. Millwall also did the right thing to get the protocol moving on," he said. "We all know there is no space for this." He said Eom is not happy with the situation, but that the squad will stay with him.
A disagreement over the stoppage
Millwall manager Alex Neil accepted the need to deal with it, and said that was a matter for the authorities. He did question how long the game was stopped. "The fact that it stops the game for 15 minutes, I just don't see the point," he told BBC Radio London. "It needs to get dealt with, absolutely, but stopping the game doesn't deal with anything. All it does is kill the momentum."
Matos, for his part, backed the protocol and said he was happy with how the situation was handled, though really sad that it happened.
The result got lost
It was a night that should have been about the football. Ronald scored late to give league leaders Swansea a 1-0 win and keep them two points clear at the top, with their best start to a season in a century. Instead the talking point was something that has no place in the game.
Police enquiries continue. Matos said he and his staff would evaluate the situation and see what happens.
Match facts: Millwall 0-1 Swansea City (Championship, Tuesday). Ronald scored late. Swansea lead the league by two points. Police are investigating alleged racial abuse; no arrests have been made. Source: BBC Sport.
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