Dartford v Eastbourne was marred on Tuesday after teammates had to hold back a player of theirs confronting a home fan in the stands.
Darts boss Alan Dowson said the fan accused of racial abuse should be banned for life if allegations are proven, with the incident taking place during added time of his side’s 2-1 win.
A visiting player had to be held back by teammates as he went into the stand to confront a home supporter over the comment, with Eastbourne manager Danny Bloor threatening to take his team off the pitch, only for play to eventually resumed after a lengthy delay and discussions with referee Daniel Lamport.
“I don’t know what happened, I can’t hear from where I am,” said Dowson as per.
“Somebody said it was racist, somebody said it wasn’t, I don’t know.
“Everybody piles in and says he said that or he said that but there’s cameras up there, so somebody should get it.
“If it was a racist comment, he should be barred for life, shouldn’t he?”
“We don’t know what it is, nobody’s got any proof at the moment, only word against word.
“It would have been ridiculous to cancel the game.
“It had nothing to do with on the pitch, so we’ve just got to get on with it.
“Danny’s a fair bloke. I would have played on because what happens on the terraces shouldn’t have anything to do with what happens on the pitch.
“That’s the way I look at it but it’s nothing to do with me, I’d rather talk about the football.”
Dartford climbed up into the National South playoff places after a third successive league win thanks to goals from Samir Carruthers and Luke Allen with the hosts coming from a goal down to move into 7th place.
“It was a hard-fought game, I’m glad to win it,” said Dowson.
“We’ve won three on the spin in the league and if we can win on Saturday (at home to Hungerford) that’ll be four on the spin.
“It shows a bit of character to come from a goal down but we’re just pleased to win and we’re pleased with the two home wins.”
Dartford have released a statement condemning the alleged abuse and apologising to Eastbourne.
The statement, issued on behalf of the Dartford board, said: “We are aware of an incident close to the end of Tuesday’s fixture in which wholly unacceptable and disgusting comments are said to have been made to an Eastbourne player.
“Stewards and a number of our own supporters quickly intervened, and the offender was removed from the stadium.
“Dartford FC prides itself on being a community club wholly committed to eradicating all forms of discrimination and we continue to take a zero-tolerance approach of racism.
“We welcome many thousands of decent and friendly supporters to Princes Park every season and it is a stain on the whole game when incidents such as this occur.
“Individuals such as this have no place in the game and certainly not at Princes Park.
“We passed on our heartfelt apologies to the player and all our good friends at Eastbourne Borough FC. Both clubs are united in football and our commitment to equality.”
Club Statement on the events at the end of tonight’s fixture. pic.twitter.com/NFkcSEKdZI
— Dartford FC (@dartfordfc) September 27, 2022
A statement from Eastbourne Borough said: “In an incident toward the end of Tuesday’s fixture away vs Dartford FC, one of our players on the sideline was subjected to unacceptable and disgusting comments of a racist nature from one of the Dartford supporters situated behind the dugouts. This followed on from continual abuse from this individual during the game toward those in the Eastbourne Borough dugout.
“Dartford stewards and supporters stepped in and the offender was removed from the ground. We trust and believe that our friends at Dartford will act in the strongest manner in banning this individual from their ground, and will take steps to report him to the appropriate authorities for further sanctions.
“Another of our players suffered similar abuse whilst on the field of play from a separate supporter.
“This abhorrent behaviour has no place in football and both clubs are united in football and committed to equality for all.
“Both players are shocked and dismayed and are being fully supported by all at the club. We will continue to fight racism in all its forms.”
Twitter users had their say with Dartford v Eastbourne marred after teammates hold back a player confronting a home fan in the stands…
@BlakeWain1: Need to get permanent bans in place
@sam97725266: Disgusting ban them
@adamchantry312: On the lighter note well done to the fans and club responding very quickly to this and the club to responding publicly about this so quick tonight. More clubs should take note of this 👏.
@jaykeg1220: Hope the police were called and not just removed from the ground.
@LaurenceB20: Hope you’ve got the offenders details and give him a life stadium ban you should have also called the police there and then racism needs dealing with and you should have handed him to the police!
@MacRckstrmac: There’s always one. X
@BradleyBarry6: Well done to all the staff and fans who’s helped clear the situation 👍🏼
@mjbcafc: Well done Dartford FC.for dealing promptly with the problem.
@BradleyBarry6: Isn’t acceptable this type of behaviour in any situation. No need for the abuse at all, we need to do more to protect all our players from this. Clowns like this useless human need to be prosecuted.
@Elise_hill: This isn’t the first time either – disgusting
@phil_dfc: Glad the club, the stewards got this resolved quickly . No place for any of this in any wall of life especially football . Hope the person concerned is banned for life
@ferrarif50lover: This, within an hour of the incident and 40 minutes of the final whistle, is what a statement should look like. Well played, Darts.
@markbrenlund: To the 815 footy fans who braved a wet Tues night during a cost of living crisis, thank you for ur support. It means a lot. To the one idiot out of touch with modern society and so ignorant it beggars belief, don’t come back until you have educated yourself. You’re not welcome.
@Towno10: We are on a roll tonight. Immediate statement and collective action here. Well done to all involved at Dartford this. I do hope an arrest was made to compliment.
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